Wireless charging has been around for quite some time. But one of the reasons why it didn’t gather traction was that it was expensive; and also that there weren’t any very workable solutions. Now Powermat, who has been producing wireless charging devices, has taken a step which may significantly move wireless charging into mainstream smartphone world. At MWC 2012, Powermat unveiled a Wireless Charging Card (WiCC) which can make it all happen.
WiCC is an IEEE Power Matters Alliance (PMA) standard. This remarkable wafer-thin piece of hardware has the potential to let wireless charging be a part of every smartphone device! Moreover, it also comes with the capability of working as an NFC antenna, so with so many companies looking forward to an NFC-world, this can be a very viable solution.
How exactly does it work? Well..the size of this card is equal to the SmartMedia cards once used in digital cameras. This card can easily fit within in the back of the smartphone. However, it will require the smartphone vendors to provide compatibility support by providing slim connectors above battery leads. The card will need to plug to two connectors for power, another two for NFC and two for data. Also, an app will be required to monitor the charging of the battery with the help of WiCC.
According to PowerMat President, “we’re going to do for wireless power what the memory card did for storage in mobile phones.” And he may very well be right. The size, convenient and affordability of WiCC can make the dream of wireless charging being a norm turn into reality. Powermat is already touting it as a very affordable wireless charging solution, compared to the rather expensive conventional solutions. Now it depends on the mobile vendors whether or not they take a liking to it and jump the bandwagon.
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