Powermat Wireless Charger Launches End Of October

Powermat manufactures a wireless device which uses magnetic induction to charge various devices like mobile phones, game consoles and other portable gadgets.

You will need one receiver for each device and Powermat provides with a number of models to suit the various gadgets that are on the market. There's an Apple iPod docking station, a replacement cover that will fit some RIM Blackberry smartphone and a small charging block called the Powercube that has enough connectors for a variety of devices.

The Powermat will be available for sale by the end of October for as little as £70 for the home and office version, £80 for the travel model from Carphone Warehouse, Amazon and John Lewis. However, there's an additional £35 for each receiver.

That said, there's always the possibility of using the traditional wired method. The Powermat has a USB port and can charge up to four devices at the same time. It uses RFID technology to identify what gadgets need to be charged and alter the amount of current needed depending on the battery level.

The company behind the Powermat reckons that “Charging occurs at the same rate or faster than if the device was using a standard charger plugged into an electrical socket, even when multiple devices are placed on the mat."