Powermat Charger Charges Up to Three Devices Wirelessly

There aren’t many great days in the world of electronics charging–in fact, one would probably struggle to find memory of a single example. However, this week has brought us just that. The Powermat wireless charger is now officially available. Once dismissed as vaporware, the charger allows users to charge up to three separate gadgets simultaneously while taking up just one socket.

How does the Powermat perform such an impressive feat? Through the magic of magnetic induction. Each device requires a separate receiver that is connected to the device and rested on the mat. The magnetic induction process takes care of all the charging while the receiver regulates the process. Currently, it looks as though the wireless receivers–which double as protective cases or backing–are limited to a few select devices such as iPhones, Blackberries and Nintendo DS units. Other devices can be connected with the included Universal Powercube, which includes 8 separate tips–it cheats a little bit on the wireless end, but still gets the job done.

Of course, the magic ends when it comes to the price tag. In order to enjoy charging separate devices–pretty much the only reason you’re buying this thing–you’ll need separate receivers for each one. The Powermat (with Powercube) will cost you $100 and each receiver costs $30 to $40, so by the time you get done, you’ll have spent a pretty penny. However, the Powermat is an excellent solution for traveling and consolidating chargers. Hopefully, future devices will be built for this type of charging so that we can enjoy the benefits without the added costs. It’s available via Powermat’s website, Best Buy and Target in home/office and folding, portable models. [via Photography Blog]