Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Charge your phone from three feet away with the new WattUp from Energous

By
WattUp Demo
Most of us have yet to experience the joys of wireless charging — Apple’s
Recommended Videos
AirPower, after all, isn’t due out for a few months yet. But thanks to a new FCC approval, we may be able to skip right past that step in the evolution of powering devices. Meet the
Related
WattUp Mid Field transmitter from San Jose-based startup Energous. It claims to be capable of converting electricity into radio frequencies, and then sending the resulting energy to devices up to three feet away. All those devices need are the appropriate receiver to accept the charge. So not only will you not have the plug in your phone in the future, you won’t even need to be all that near a charger in order to rejuice your device.

While today’s wireless charging solutions still require smartphones and tablets to be placed on a charging pad, the WattUp Mid Field transmitter needs no such proximity. In fact, no physical contact is needed whatsoever. And better still, the WattUp purports to be able to recharge several devices at the same time, with no regard for what the device is. So whether it’s your computer, your wireless headphones, or your smartwatch (or all three) that is in need of some more battery, simply place the corresponding receiver on those devices, and power on WattUp.

Energous also noted that its WattUp ecosystem “ensures interoperability between receivers and transmitters, regardless of the manufacturer.” That means if you’ve an Apple device but a Samsung transmitter, you’ll still be able to recharge remotely.

“Older wireless charging technologies have received limited adoption over the past 15 years, and are confined to contact-based charging only. The FCC certification of Energous’ power-at-a-distance wireless charging transmitter is a major market milestone,” Energous president and CEO Stephen R. Rizzone said. “Untethered, wire-free charging — such as charging a fitness band even while wearing it — is exactly what consumers have been waiting for.”

Unfortunately, you’ll still have to wait awhile longer to get your hands on one of these WattUps, as there aren’t any retail units available yet. Energous plans to show off its technology at CES 2018, which will take place January 9-12 in Las Vegas, and we’ll update you with any additional news.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Lulu Chang
Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Does the Google Pixel 8a have wireless charging?
A photo of someone holding the Google Pixel 8a.

The budget-friendly Google Pixel 8a is a phone with impressive features. It boasts a 6.1-inch display and a Google Tensor G3 chip with a Titan M2 security coprocessor, and it's the only phone under $500 to have Gemini Nano. Combined with impressive cameras and features like Magic Editor, Best Take, Magic Eraser, and more, there's a lot to like here.

One question remains, however: Does the Google Pixel 8a offer wireless charging? Let’s take a look.
Does the Google Pixel 8a have wireless charging?

Read more
The best Google Pixel 8a screen protectors in 2024
A photo of someone holding the Google Pixel 8a.

The Google Pixel 8a is Google's latest smartphone, and while it's not a match for Google's flagship phones, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, it's not meant to be. The Pixel 8a is a midrange powerhouse, with the Tensor G3 processor, a showstopping camera, and the advanced smarts of Google's Gemini Nano AI model.

But none of that is worth squat if you can't see it. The display is a vital part of any smartphone, and the Pixel 8a's 6.1-inch OLED panel is a beauty. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, and a much higher brightness to boot, making it the equal of some of the best phones you can grab in the midrange market. But all that tech should be protected. Here are the best Google Pixel 8a screen protectors to keep your phone's screen safe from scratches, dirt, and smears.

Read more
Apple made an outrageous change to its new iPads
An official photo of the 2024 iPad Air.

After a year-long drought of iPads, Apple finally revealed the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models during its Let Loose event on May 7. This was a unique announcement because it broke some old traditions; the iPad Air now comes in two sizes: an 11-inch and 13-inch, just like the iPad Pro. But these new iPads are also breaking another longtime tradition: They won’t come with iconic Apple stickers. Gasp.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple Store teams received a memo where Apple explained that the iconic Apple stickers won’t be included inside the boxes of the new iPad Air and iPad Pro. The reasoning? As part of Apple’s environmental goals, it is trying to ensure that its packaging is completely free of plastic.

Read more