Why should the Palm Pre have all the fun when it comes to cordless charging? Well now, thanks to Powermat USA, just about any device can charge without being directly plugged into a power socket. And if you have an iPhone, iPod touch or Blackberry device, all you have to do to charge them is… well nothing, you just put them on the table.
Here’s a look at this innovative system…
Powermat offers two basic systems.
The Powermat Home and Office mat is a sleek mat that sits unobtrusively on a desk or table waiting for something, or more accurately up to four somethings (if you include the built-in USB port), to charge.
The Powermat Portable Mat is about the same size (although not as sleek).
It too can charge up to four devices at a time. Unlike it sibling however, it can fold into three sections for easy transport in the included case.
Both mats come with a well-designed Powermat Power Adapter that has built-in cord control. Both also include a Powermat Powercube Universal Receiver, eight assorted tips and a bin for storing them. With these tips you can charges hundreds of different devices.
Finally, it is worth noting that both mats also include a wired USB connection for charging devices that require a full-size USB. It isn’t a wireless solution, but it reflects the depth of thought that went into designing the entire system.
To use the Powermat, you simply take a device that is “wearing” a receiver and place it on the Powermat. That’s it! Sound and light indicate that a connection has been made and that the device is charging. A second sound indicates when the device is removed from the mat. Once on the mat the device will charge as fast or faster than the stock power adaptor.
The whole system is rather mind-boggling the first time you see it. It absolutely is one of those gadgets that has major “WOW! OMG!” appeal. This is so true, in fact, that it can only be appreciated by seeing it.
The Powermat system is impressive. It is well designed, well built and does what it promises. It delivers an extra punch or two of gadgety awe the first time newcomers see the charger in action. At the same time, the system is far from inexpensive. Amazon is currently charging $129.99 for the Home and Office Mat and $119.99 for the Portable Mat. And while a $29.99 Universal Powercube is included with each, receivers for the iPhone ($49.99), iPod touch (($39.99) and Blackberry ($29.99) are not. Obviously the system can get rather pricey rather quickly.
So is cutting the cord/s worth the price and added bulk the device receivers add? That is going to be a matter of personal taste. What is clear, however, is that Powermat has brought one innovative technology to the wider market, and they have done so with a first generation product whose design, fit and finish is impressive.
What I Like: Huge “WOW! Factor”, actually works, blows minds regularly, truly allows you to cut the various jumble of cords, VERY well designed and built
What Needs Improvement: Pricey (especially for something that isn’t realy necessary), Receivers add bulk, weight and bulge
More information and some truly entertaining promo videos can be seen on the Powermat site.
Our thanks to the company for sending along review/keeper units of both mats.
Dan, how much bulk did the powermat receiver add to your devices (I have an iPhone, so am particularly interested in that, but I’m interested in any device, really)? My understanding from their web site is that for handhelds like a Blackberry or iPhone, you get a case with a receiver built in. How is the case quality? Can you use a third-party case and still use the system, or do you have to use a powermat case? (I would *hate* to not be able to use my beautiful Vaja cases!) Thanks.
Hi Douglas,
Let me try to answer all the questions with the easiest first.
If you use the case/receiver on the iPhone you won’t be able to use any other case since it is a case and receiver in one. You COULD use the Vaja case (aren’t they gorgeous!) and then use the Powercube but I am not sure what you have gained by doing this.
For the iPhone and the iPod touch the case/receiver is a VERY nice case in m opinion. It is two-piece construction, had a smooth interior and a soft-touch exterior that feels great and shows no fingerprints. The two pieces slide together well but can take a bit of work to release. I guess that is a good thing on one level as the two pieces fit tightly.
The big issue for me is that the receiver portion is 1 3/4″ by 2 1/2″ and bumps out about an 1/8″. The added weight is negligible but the raised rectangle is quite unappealing to me. Others might not mind it. I’m still trying to weight the convenience vs the awkwardness of the receiver.
Blackberry’s are, to my understanding since I do not have a review sample here, a replacement back plate with the same raised section. It would likely pose the same issue.
Finally I would again point out that each case is a separate purchase. None are included with the mats themselves.
I saw these last night at Best Buy Mobile ($10 cheaper there for the mat than what I found on Amazon).
The biggest problem is if you’re using a holster for the Bold — or for the iPhone – that it’s no longer going to fit.
Also price wise these don’t make any sense.
Cool wise – they are extremely impressive and I’m in!
I think where they really start to make the most sense is if many places had these types of mats where you could just lay your device down – with no need to carry an extra bulky adapter and power cable.
I only spent a few minutes with them at Best Buy but the cases looked high quality. I read a few reviews on Amazon before Dan’s went live and they were overall pretty positive. I expected to read reviews that the charging time was a lot longer — but that wasn’t the case at all.
So far as I’ve been able to tell bulk and price are the two barriers to everyone wanting one.
Hmm; awkwardness is definitely a potential issue. I had an iMuffs dongle on my iPhone for a while so that I could use bluetooth, and after a time I simply gave up because it was too awkward. And the fact that it’s extra $$$ for the case . . . well, that makes being an early adopter somewhat unpalatable. Especially when I just ordered a new Vaja case (yes, Judie; another one–you’re a bad influence).