Guest Blog – from the TakTik Tech Web Manager!
Travel Powermat
I’m very definitely the computer geek on the TakTik Team and my usual role is the web manager who uploads the daily reviews for the team.
Hi! 
Alex doesn’t often let me out from behind my keyboard – there’s always far too much for me to be doing and when I do get out, she doesn’t generally let me go on my own 
So I was delighted when she asked if I’d like to take a solo trip on Thursday night. There has to be a catch, thought I… and this post is it!
The event on Thursday was one the team didn’t want to miss and Alex was a little disappointed when she realised it clashed with her evening with Dell (as discussed in Friday’s post), but for me it was a great opportunity to get out into the fresh air. Well I say fresh, it was Central London so that may be something of an exaggeration.
Anyway, the event in question was the launch of the Powermat (www.powermat.com), a really smart and effective wireless charging system.
I admit I was extremely impressed with what I saw. This is the sort of technology we’ve been expecting for years, and finally I got my hands on it!
As I sat sipping my cola (yep, last of the big drinkers me), the lovely Amy from Skywrite showed me all the ins and outs of the device.
The mat itself is about 30cm long, a little over 10cm wide, and is capable of charging 3 devices wirelessly, and an additional one on USB – all at the same time and from just one power socket.
Even better, unlike current phone chargers, it doesn’t draw any power when there’s nothing on it, and when each device is charged the mat stops pushing power into them.
Perfect - better for the planet; better for your pocket!
Powermat Battery Cover receiver
Add to the mat an adapter for each device you want to use with it… for Blackberrys, iPods & iPhones this is achieved by switching the regular battery cover for one with a Powermat receiver in, and for other phones there’s a Powercube, a small receiver with a very short cable, and 8 interchangeable tips for the likes of Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, plus a mini USB one. There’s also a charging cradle for Nintendo DS Lite & DSi devices available.
Oh, and if you’re a traveller, there’s also a portable version.
Folding down to a 3.5cm thick, 10cm square this mat is perfect for holiday and business travel. No more forgetting a crucial charger, and paying over the odds for a replacement while you’re away!
From a geek perspective, I was wowed, and from an eco perspective too. I hope, when I get around to trialling it fully I will remain as impressed as I was when I headed home on Thursday night. For now, based on what I witnessed, I’d certainly recommend people to go and investigate.
Powermat products will be available nationwide from 30th October 2009 from The Carphone Warehouse, Amazon & John Lewis
