Thursday, February 10, 2011

Charge ANY Cell Phone Wirelessly! PowerMat - Good Idea Gone Bad?

Charge ANY cell phone and other wireless devices without the hassle of wires!  Simply set your phone on this magic mat and have your cell phone charge so effortlessly!  Right?  Wrong...  I was so excited of this product and almost bought it - until I read the details and reviews.  You'll see that it's not quite this simple and that there are many compatibility issues.  Most of the reviews say that the device is not yet ready for prime-time, so before you spend a good $80 on one, at LEAST read my blog and follow up with the reviews that support it.
The PowerMat requires that you insert a "tip" into the power port of your device.  It's basically the part of a normal-wire charger that goes into your phone, but without the wire.  The tip makes contact with the mat, and it charges from there, not just it's flat-back against the pad like it makes you think upon first glance.  Many reviews also say that it doesn't hold as good of a charge as a wire-charge.  Also, they say they work with many phones, but the tips are still extremely limited.  In the end, this IS wireless but kind of not and is deceptive in advertising. 
So what about an alternative brand, like the Duracell myGrid?  Well, lo and behold...the reviews are almost identical!  The myGrid boasts of the Power Sleeve, which works with certain phones like the iPhone.  This sleeve basically has a tip inside that goes into the power port as well.  A review was loyal enough to inform us that the magnetic sleeve must be removed before placed into your pocket full of credit cards and keys.  The customer service center avoided his question and pushed it off to an email address that never replied to him.  It's a great idea...in the making.  I will wait a while before I consider buying this product for real.  You're welcome.

Sources: PowerMat - Amazon Sale and Reviews

              Duracell my Grid - Amazon Sale and Reviews
Posted by Toast Burnt at 1:34 PM
Labels: , , , , , , ,

17 comments:

  1. CRSFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Lame-o. This almost takes MORE work than simply plugging in your device, and certainly so if you only use a single device. I guess the advantage here is if you have a phone, ipod, ipad, vibrator, electric razor, etc. etc. that all need charging when you get home from work or whatever.

    I had some skepticism at first when seeing these things hit the market. I imagined a tesla-like coil compacted into a pad for devices but seeing as that's only ac it couldn't possibly work. Then I thought some kind of magnetic field is used to charge, and if that's strong enough to charge a phone then what the hell would it do to my cat when it jumps on the pad.

    Thanks for the information, I'll definitely hold out on something like this till the technology is much improved.

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  2. Lendo KharFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Even if it could work as intended It's still quite expensive. Wouldn't buy one.

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    I don't like the extra bulk some of these pads add to the phone for the charging and whatnot. I'm just fine with plugging things in for now.

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  4. ShutterbugFebruary 10, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    I think I'll wait a little while before I think of getting anything like this. Following.

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  5. BdgorshFebruary 10, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    I can't see how this is more convenient than good old charger.

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    I agree with the review. Just doesn't seem like much of a market for an expensive alternative to something that doesn't really need an alternative in the first place.

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  7. DooFebruary 10, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Thank's for the warning. Didn't even expect this to be something wonderful. In time it will get better :)

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  8. DwrekFebruary 10, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Isn't that how advertising works? Take a crappy product, throw some makeup and good lighting on it and tada!

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  9. MeFebruary 11, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    I knew it was too good to be true.

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  10. PectoralFinnnFebruary 11, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    Seemed like a good idea but not so sure now.
    http://pectoralfinnnreviews.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. ZachFebruary 11, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Can't wait for things to just charge everywhere in your household. Energy bills skyrocket lol.

    -Zach
    http://www.evanztories.blogspot.com
    http://www.ducks2nucks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. GeekwankerFebruary 11, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    I can't see how this is more convenient than good old charger.

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  13. temptationFebruary 12, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    nice gadget. i hope it will work fine

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  14. ChrisFebruary 12, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Sounds kinda lame

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  15. Auto Tuned SoulFebruary 12, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Disappointing idea. Never thought it would be particularly functional.

    Supporting as always!

    http://autotunedsoul.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. entertainventFebruary 14, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    I work at a best buy like store, have know how shitty these things are for a long time, never recommend them

    your friend
    http://entertainvent.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. elexerdelexFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Looks like the ultimate solution...
    Too good to be true...

    ReplyDelete

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