In the last episode of eThusiasm, I reviewed the Powermat. The Powermat is a flat piece of technology which charges your cell phones and other devices just by laying those devices on the Powermat… sort of.
You see, it’s not quite the magical technology that it first looks like. When you see the advertisements and you see it being reviewed in action, it appears to be a perfect solution. Throw it in a drawer and just let it charge all of your technology through the power of osmosis… Well, not quite.
About the Powermat
The Powermat is a device which wirelessly charges up to three other devices. It comes in both the home and travel versions, the primary difference being that the travel one folds up and comes with a case whereas the home one lays flat all of the time.
How It Works
The devices require special cases or an adapter in order for the Powermat to work. Each Powermat comes with a square-shaped adapter which has a USB end on it. The USB end also contains many other add-on adapters for different devices. There are adapters for:
As you can see, the Powermat can charge a lot of devices with one adapter. The adapters, as I mentioned, are connected to that little square device. The square then sits on top of the Powermat and charges whichever device is plugged into it. You can buy more than just the one adapter included and then use the Powermat and adapters to charge three devices total. Alternatively, if you use a Blackberry or an iPhone, you can also purchase backs to go on these devices and place them on the Powermat to charge as well.
On the Powermat’s Usability
What I’ve done with my Powermat is place it in my office, just out of the way of the rest of my computers and equipment. When I come into my office, I simply drop my iPhone onto the mat and let it charge. When I’m leaving my office space, I grab it and go. The mat seems to charge my devices quickly and charge them well so that hasn’t been an issue at all with the usability. I have noticed that the device does get a bit warm when using it but that’s pretty natural for most charging devices.
I also charge my Nintendo DS with it as well which means I can charge my iPhone, Steve’s iPhone and my DS on one wall outlet. When Trina works out of my office, she can charge her LG cell phone with the Powermat as well, saving her from having to bring her own charger and using up another wall outlet.
The different backs available for the Powermat
Final Thoughts
I actually quite enjoy the Powermat and am glad that I purchased it. Instead of thinking of it as a magical device that charges everything that comes in close contact (and being subsquently disappointed), instead think of it as a device which takes up only one power outlet instead of three. Also, you don’t need to go searching all over your house for the wires or the proper chargers for the devices you use daily.
Although some people won’t see the awesome factor in this device, I do and will continue to use the Powermat to charge my devices.
by 
