[NewsPoster]

Wireless charging technology company WiTricity today introduced a system for wireless charging of consumer devices such as the iPhone 5 family using the company's patented, highly-resonant wireless power transfer technology. The new WiTricity system charges gadgets over distance and through a variety of materials -- including wood, granite, plastic and glass.

The WiTricity charging system for the iPhone 5 and 5s includes a wireless charging hub and a charging sleeve. Similar to other protective covers, the WiTricity sleeve quickly slides onto an iPhone 5/5s and is powered when in proximity to the WiTricity charging hub. Capable of charging two phones concurrently, the charging hub can be placed on top of a table as an upright or flat charging pad, or mounted underneath a table or desk for charging through the surface.

WiTricity's charging system will be offered as a reference design and development system to mobile device manufacturers, charging accessory developers, and furniture designers to accelerate development of their own wireless charging products based on resonant wireless power. The system is architecturally compatible with next-generation wireless power standards being developed by the leading standards organizations, and offers the flexibility to be adapted to a wide variety of smartphones, tablets, and wearable computing devices.

[mr100percent]

Cool! So when's it coming out?

[Charles Martin]

That's the problem with CES -- it's a technology showcase. Almost everything we've written about the stuff there is amazing, but pricing and availability dates are usually scarce. "Later this year" is a pretty safe bet. Maybe soon. The companies are rarely specific because they are at the beginning of the production cycle.