【Writer's Bullpen (2009)】

The Writer's Bullpen (2009)Silicon Valley start-up Pi says they have found a way to charge phones and tablets by simply placing the devices near its cone-like charger.

If the company’s claims are true, the Pi charger would be the world’s first contactless charger. This device doesn’t simply ditch wires — it is an innovative leap beyond the recently introduced charging pads, which power devices by placing them on the pads.

Until the devices are available for review, however, the technology should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism. While Pi has built an elegant website and is staffed by some apparently brainy MIT-schooled researchers, some of the most technologically advanced companies in the world — of note, Apple — have yet to offer this contactless technology.

The Pi charger emanates magnetic fields, which the company says can efficiently charge a phone or tablet up to a foot away from your device.

“Magnetic fields are the best way to send meaningful energy to phones, tablets, and other portable electronics,” said Pi co-founder Lixin Shi in a press release. “The hard part was figuring out how to make magnetic charging more flexible, multi-device, and extend its useful range. It took us over a year to complete the mathematical proof that makes it all possible.”

When such a device is emanating energy into the air, there are obvious safety concerns. The company acknowledges this, saying that it meets FCC regulatory standards and operates at power levels low enough to be safe.

“While long range microwave, ultrasound, or laser based technologies have been proposed for wireless charging, none of these technologies have proven safe at power levels needed to charge modern smartphones. Pi’s breakthrough is in finally bringing to market a truly wireless charging technology that is safe and follows existing regulatory standards, while also being affordable, compact and powerful.”

While Pi has moved beyond charging pads, Apple’s wireless charging pad, AirPower, won’t be ready until next year.

Mashable just reviewed the iPhone 8’s ability to charge with a Belkin wireless pad, and found that the iPhone needed to be carefully placed on the center of the pad for it to charge properly. If this is any indication, wireless charging technology may still be in its elementary stages — unless Pi has indeed developed an electromagnetic charging technology that has truly surpassed tech prowess of Apple.