If you're buying an iPhone 5, you're probably paying a lot of money for the handset. That's especially true if you're buying the phone directly from Apple without a two-year contract, as the cost of the 16GB model is set at $649 - and that's the least expensive model on offer. That certainly isn't cheap, but there's one aspect of the iPhone 5 that isn't expensive at all: the cost to charge it.
Nokia's new Lumia 920 may have stolen the show this morning while they announced a few new handsets, but the accessories Nokia brought to the market along with their new phones deserve a quick look too. We have wireless charging in multiple ways, NFC speaker docks from JBL and more so check them out below along with some hands-on and first impressions.
Wireless phone and tablet charging without the bulky case compromise could be in the pipeline if TDK Corporation has its way, revealing the slimmest wireless power transfer coil unit to-date. It may look like the tiniest underfloor heating system in the world, but in fact the 0.57mm thick panel promises to get your future smartphone or tablet rejuiced simply by slapping it down onto an inductive pad.
Apple has been granted a batch of patents today by the US Patent and Trademark Office---27 new patents to be exact. PatentlyApple dug up the details on these patents, pointing out some of the more notable ones including an inductive charging station for handsets as well as iOS scrolling, rotating, and scaling on a touchscreen display.
The last time we saw the Touchstone was for a modification involving the Nokia Lumia 800. That saw an enterprising modder hack the charging mechanism, enabling power to flow wirelessly when the phone was set down on the Touchstone. Will the same trick work with the Samsung Galaxy S III? As it turns out, yes. Samsung promised wireless charging at the Galaxy S III event back in May, but it’s a long way off yet, so one owner decided to take matters into his own hands.
Wireless charging is still a cumbersome affair, requiring separate cases and adds-ons to make the magic happen. That’s still a problem with Powermat’s new products, but the company is trying to make things easier in remote locations with the Wireless Power Nation initiative. In addition to the new charging case and portable battery backup, the company will be integrating power mats into different locations.
Vodafone has offered a VIP Recharge Truck for festival goers in the past, keeping smartphones topped up so that everyone could tweet about how great [Insert Current Popular Band] is. The telecoms company will be rolling out the truck once again this summer, but is trying to ditch wristbands or or photos of customers dropping off their smartphones. Instead, a new biometric system will be used.
Remember the Brammo Empulse R electric bike that we peeked a few weeks ago? The regular version that drops the R has officially been debuted in Hollywood today, with all the nitty gritty details being laid out as well as the price. Brammo say that the bike is capable of reaching speeds up to 100mph, and can travel up to 121 miles on a single charge. it features a 9.3kWh lithium ion battery, and a liquid cooled motor.
General Motors has announced that automakers in the United States and Germany are set to demonstrate fast charging technology that will allow for quicker charging on EVs. According to GM, the new fast charging standard can recharge a battery pack in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. The automakers that are working together are some of the largest in the world.
Samsung has revealed the wireless charging kit for the Galaxy S III, a combination of a new battery cover for the third-gen flagship smartphone, and a desk cradle. Set to add the wireless power capabilities we loved from Palm's webOS models to a far more appealing Android device, the optional kit will allow Galaxy S III owners to cut another cord.
The Qi wireless charging standard has been updated to allow for a longer distance between device and charging platform. This will make it easier for the platform to be integrated into various surfaces, including tabletops, furniture, and cars. The Wireless Power Consortium announced the updated Qi standard today, which now allows for a distance of 40mm, up from the previous 5mm.
While I've been wishing for a truly wireless charging solution for some time now, especially in my truck, Chrysler is set to add wireless charging solutions to some of their 2013 line-up starting with the Dodge Dart. Now this doesn't use wires, but it still needs to be in a certain place for the conductive charging system to work. The image below can be a little misleading.