WildCharge: wireless charging at the same speed of wired

I'm still not sold on wireless charging methods because they typically require some add-on to your device. The WildCharge is no exception as it needs an adapter for your Motorola RAZR, Apple iPhone or RIM BlackBerry. Still, the thought of just dropping a device on a small charging pad does have a certain appeal, so I've requested a review unit to see if the cool-and-easy factor gets me excited.

The WildCharge pad and one adapter sets you back $89.99; the pad alone is $59.99, but that won't do you any good without a device adapter. The 8-inch by 6-inch pad ought to charge up four or five devices at once, depending on device size, of course. As far as charging time, the WildCharge folks indicate no difference between wireless charging or old-fashioned charging with a wire, so at least it won't take any longer to "re-juice".

Comments

[Oliver]

So looking at their "How it works" page, it appears you have to replace the back cover of your device with a new one that adds a bulge and a "side arm" that plugs into the power pot.

Without this being universally integrated into devices from the get-go, I really don't see this as a worthwhile product.

[turn_self_off]

this is a chicken and egg thing. they probably want the tech to be built into phones in the future, but right now this is their only way to refit existing phones (unless they find a way to fit it inside the very battery somehow).

[Mike Cane]

What happens if a cat lays down on the charging pad? Or throws up on it? Or, if an unfixed male, sprays it!

[Eve N]

I can't find a declaration of how efficient it really is. "as if they are plugged directly into the wall" isn't really a statement since the range there is very high. What does it help that the device is charged quickly if you waste much more energy for this decadent pad thing while hurting the environment?

[Chris Fabri]

So I need to make room on a desk or something for this pad, and then I still have to put the device on the pad to charge? How much more work is it to plug your damn phone in? I want it to charge while it's *in my pocket*. This interim product is pointless.