Backgrond

• Powermat is a manufacturer and trademarked name of a company that produces wireless chargers for personal electronics, including cellphones, handheld game players and iPod music players. Once you place your iPod into the receiving case and set it on the charging mat, which connects to a power outlet, your iPod will begin charging with wireless RFID -- radio-frequency identification -- technology. After your device is completely charged, the Powermat stops sending a signal, which can prevent overcharging of your device and overusage of electricity.
  
  

Benefits

• The Powermat solution eliminates the need for a cable or wire between every device and the charger or wall outlet, and can free up outlet space. As long as you have the receiving case on your device, you can simply set it on the Powermat and the magnet energy will help you to align the device for an optimum charge. Furthermore, the Powermat emits audio alerts when a connection has been established as well as when your iPod is fully charged. Because there are no wires, you can grab your iPod from the charging mat on the go. The receiving case can be kept on your iPod even when you are not charging as it still allows you to connect your headphones or USB cable to your iPod.
  
  

Options

• Powermat provides a variety of charging mats. For example, "2x" mats can fit two devices simultaneously while "3x" devices have space for three devices to charge at once. Powermat also sells variations of their mats with their universal Powercube. The cube is an adapter that can connect to almost any electronic device with its interchangeable tips. Thus, you can still charge devices that do not (yet) have a receiving case with your Powermat. You may require the Powercube if you have an iPod Shuffle because neither the iPod touch receiver case nor the iPod charging dock is compatible with this iPod variant.
  
  

Misconceptions

• The Powermat brand does not include any solar-powered charging solutions, at the time of publication. Although other companies, such as XTG Technology , sell solar chargers capable of charging electronics and even rechargeable AA or AAA batteries, these do not use the wireless charging technology of the Powermat. You must still connect your iPod or other device to the charger via USB or other charging cable. However, the solar cell does collect energy that you can later use to charge your iPod or iPhone if there is no outlet or computer available.