The Powermat wireless charger for juicing all your gadget gear over the air is just beginning to trickle into shops now, and we’ve had a go with one ourselves for your delectation. Is it the universal Touchstone we were hoping for? Read on for first photos and impressions.
The Powermats themselves are slick affairs. Both versions work in exactly the same way, letting you pump up three gadgets wirelessly on top, but the portable one folds up and fits in a carry case (excellent for train journeys), while the home version is a slick and slim skateboard looking affair that’s smaller than the official photos make it appear. It works just as advertised: whack down your kit, and you’ll hear a noise telling you charging has begun. Then it’s off to do something else, with no fear of tripping over cables.
We didn’t sit around waiting for the iPhone demoed to charge 100%, but Powermat’s specially designed cases know when they’ve had their fill of wireless juice and show down, even while others continue to charge, so you don’t waste energy.
Powermat charger coming October
When it comes to the look and size of the cases Powermat requires though, it’s hit and miss. Size isn’t really an issue with a Nintendo DS cover, and the BlackBerry Powermat cases aren’t too bulky at all – we could definitely see ourselves living with on the back from day to day. The iPhone Powermat case however is enormous, and something you realistically wouldn’t want to leave the house with.
Powermat’s solution for gadgets it doesn’t individually support yet meanwhile is to offer a “Powercube” with plenty of connectors to plug in almost any make of phone. Note the word plug there – you might as well just slot your phone in to charge normally without a £70 outlay – but Powermat says wider support for everything from iPod touches to Nokia phones and even digital cameras are high on its hit list so it might be worth waiting out for extended support first.
Have a look at our hands-on photos of the Powermat right here, and stay tuned for more news on Powermat’s future plans shortly.
Out October | £from 69.99 | Powermat
