Duracell Powermat adding mesh network, scaleable power to its wireless charging plates

Posted on 25/02/2013 by Daniel Cooper

Duracell Powermat is announcing a pair of new features to encourage sales of its wireless charging gear. The first is "Mesh Network," a set of controls that let multiple hotspots be centrally monitored -- so if you're stealing all the juice in the Wall St. Starbucks, central office can cut you off. On the upside, those same network features will enable you to find another charging hotspot on your smartphone, including Madison Square Garden and Jay-Z's 40/40 club. The second feature is that the latest mats will be able to vary the power on offer between 5 and 50 watts, making them capable of recharging smartphones, tablets and (potentially) Ultrabooks. Now all we have to do is work out how to power all of our electronics without arousing the suspicions of Jay-Z -- we'd hate to add a 100th problem to his worry list.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

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Boston-area Starbucks testing wireless smartphone charging; Starbucks, Google and AT&T back PMA standard

Posted on 29/10/2012 by Ben Gilbert

The Duracell Powermat and the Power Matters Alliance are charging forward in their quest to make wireless charging of smartphones all the more ubiquitous, today announcing the appointment of several notable companies to the PMA's shareholder board: Google, AT&T, and Starbucks. Subsequently, said appointments will result in various initiatives involving the wireless charging standard -- select Boston-area Starbucks will get PMA standard-based wireless charging spots, AT&T is selling PMA standard-based charging devices in "select markets," and ... uh ... Google is just kinda throwing its support in. Google's Chief Internet Evangelist (best job title ever?) Vint Cerf already serves as honorary member of the PMA's board, so perhaps that's more than enough.

Ah, and of course, if you're into charging mobile devices wirelessly while getting $2,500 Remy Martin bottle service, Jay-Z's 40/40 Club is also supporting PMA-based wireless charging spots. Of course. For a full list of spots, check the PR below the break.

Continue reading Boston-area Starbucks testing wireless smartphone charging; Starbucks, Google and AT&T back PMA standard

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Peripherals, Google, AT&T

Boston-area Starbucks testing wireless smartphone charging; Starbucks, Google and AT&T back PMA standard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Duracell Powermat announces 24-Hour Power System, we go hands-on (video)

Posted on 11/06/2012 by Sarah Silbert

Since Duracell and Powermat formed their wireless charging alliance late last year, we've seen the Powermat debut at CES and heard quite a bit about the company's vision for future battery tech. Today the company is unveiling a new charging system which, while not drastically different from the Powermat we've seen before, bundles a few useful products together. In addition to a Powermat for charging the iPhone or iPhone 4, the 24-Hour Power System includes a phone case (necessary for juicing a phone on the Powermat) and a portable backup battery with both microUSB and Apple connectors. The whole package will set you back $100, and it's available online and in NYC stores starting today. Though the system currently only supports the iPhone, the company says it will add compatibility with "an array of other leading smartphones" by this fall. Check out our hands-on demo with Duracell Powermat CEO Ron Rabinowitz below.

Gallery: Duracell Powermat 24-Hour Power System (hands-on)