The Wireless Power Consortium today signaled it was getting closer to a finished release by releasing the 0.95 spec for its standard. The advancement gives members of the recently-formed group enough to help test interoperation between their devices and others, which themselves are getting closer. A first formal test is expected in Eindhoven, The Netherlands at the next meeting of the group, which doesn't have a readily publicized date for the event.
The technology is intended primarily to eliminate the need for a power cable for handheld devices that consume 5W or less of power, particularly cameras, cellphones and portable media players. Current implementations usually involve putting devices on a contact plate that sends power through an induction-friendly portion of the hardware. Proprietary implementations have already existed for a short while and are highlighted by Palm's Touchstone cradle, which uses inductive charging to recharge the Pre at a slower rate than with wired power but with extra convenience.
Source: electronista
