Razer’s Hyperflux wireless mouse is powered by its pad

Pads that wirelessly charge mice aren’t new, but they are difficult to pull off, especially when appealing to the high-performance gaming crowd. We found Logitech’s effort — its PowerPlay system of mat and companion mice — hit the right mix of reliability and ultra-low signal delay to be a viable choice. Not to be outdone, Razer introduced its own attempt at CES: The Hyperflux suite.

At $250 for the bundle, the Hyperflux Firefly (pad) and Mamba (mouse) aren’t cheap, but they’re priced identically to Logitech’s PowerPlay mat and pricier mouse. And that’s kind of the point: If you dig Razer’s style, this is the wireless combo for you: Like its other peripherals, both boast high-precision (the Mamba mouse’s optical sensor boasts 16,000 DPI and up to 450 inches per second, or 50 G of acceleration) and lights around the Firefly pad light up in 16.8 million colors. Just make sure you’re comfortable using both parts of Razer’s kit: Unlike Logitech’s PowerPlay mice, the Mamba doesn’t include a battery and relies on the Firefly for power.

In short, once gamers are satisfied with these products’ performance, then the miracle of wireless mat & mice may enter the mainstream and we’ll never have to worry about manually charging a mouse again. Razer’s Hyperflux system (available only in the $250 bundle) will be available at select retailers in Q1 2018.

Source: Razer

Samsung will launch the Galaxy S9 in February

You won’t see Samsung’s upcoming flagship phone before CES 2018 ends, but you won’t have to wait that long to get a peek either. DJ Koh, the Korean conglomerate’s mobile chief, has announced at a press conference in Las Vegas that the company will launch the Galaxy S9 and S9+ at Mobile World Congress. Samsung will also reveal when the phone will be available for purchase at the annual trade show, which will take place at the end of February in Barcelona, Spain.

Previous reports claimed Samsung will offer a peek at the Galaxy S9 at the Consumer Electronics Show, but a company spokesperson quickly squashed that rumor. At least you won’t have to wait until the customary spring event Samsung typically holds to launch its flagship devices like it did with the Galaxy S8. What can you expect from the S9? Well, Samsung’s next-gen phone chips point to the possibility of face detection, though supposedly leaked images also show a fingerprint scanner on the device’s rear side.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

Source: ZDNet

Furrion Robotics’ 8,000-pound Prosthesis mech takes a big step toward the future

Many a child grows up dreaming of the day when they can pilot a giant robot (or mech, to be precise), only to discover that, like flying cars and blaster pistols, such a thing remains in the realm of science fiction. Naysayers will claim giant mechs aren’t feasible, but that pessimism hasn’t dampened the dreams of inventors who hope to one day make a colossal, walking suit of armor capable of defending the Earth against alien invasions — or even more mundane tasks. Furrion Robotics is going full-steam ahead with research into mechs. Its Prosthesis mech was one of the coolest things at CES 2017, and although the first test run was brief, to say the least, it’s still an exciting project.

Furrion co-founders Matt and Aaron Fidler stopped by Digital Trends’ CES 2018 booth to talk about their creation. Last time Digital Trends checked in with the Prosthesis, it could only tremble. New footage from Furrion now shows the mech taking full steps across a desert landscape. That’s good progress, especially since the Fidlers intend the mech for use not in war, but in racing.

“Once we’re happy with the level we’re at with the technology and the human training … the next step is to build a second mech or a third mech, and then within two years, hopefully, we launch the first X1 mech racing league,” the Fidlers said.

The idea for Prosthesis originated with inventor Jonathan Tippett, whom the Fidlers teamed up with to bring the concept to life. It stands 15 feet tall, and weighs aboau 8,000 pounds. Given its mass, it should come as no surprise that it doesn’t move too quickly, topping out at around 20 mph. That doesn’t mean Prosthesis is easy to pilot, however. The mech eschews computers, relying on the human pilot to move the limbs; as such, pilots will need to be athletic to keep the mech moving.

Prosthesis gets about 90 minutes of power from its batteries, depending on the terrain, and so the Fidlers envision “long-haul, A to B races, where you have energy stops along the way, almost like a pit stop in a Formula 1 racing league.”

Prosthesis is still very much a prototype, but its development so far is remarkable. Mechs may seem a pipe dream, but every so often, a dream comes true.

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The Ember Ceramic Mug makes sure your coffee never, ever gets cold

You may not know the name, but electric mug manufacturer Ember has actually been around for a while. In 2015, we wrote about the Ember Smart Mug, a 12-ounce travel mug (really, a thermos) outfitted with a microprocessor-controlled, dual-band heating system capable of keeping your coffee hot (or your cold beverage cold) for hours.

Then, last November, Ember went ahead and blew our minds by launching the Ember Ceramic Mug, an actual ceramic mug imbued with the same incredible heating powers. When we found out Ember’s team had a booth at this year’s CES in Las Vegas — specifically, at the Pepcom media event — we knew we had to pay them a visit and see this bad boy for ourselves. Digital Trends’ very own Jake Rossman spoke with Ember representative Jolene to learn more about Ember and its magical mugs.

“We’re a design-led temperature-control brand,” said Jolene. “The Ember Ceramic Mug will keep your drink at the perfect drinking temperature, exactly how you want it.” The Ember app allows users to choose a temperature anywhere from 120 degrees to 145 degrees, and once you’ve set a preferred temperature, the mug will “remember” and automatically activate when it detects hot coffee (or tea!) being poured in. The mug comes with a charging pad, where you’ll want to keep it at night so you never run out of juice. The mug sports a minimalist design; you probably would never guess its capabilities without looking closely.

The travel mug, meanwhile, has a digital readout on the side and a twist control ring at the top, which you can spin to adjust temperature to your liking. According to Jolene, Ember is even considering expanding into the cooling market (is there a cooling market?): “We’re definitely exploring some other products and expanding into new markets. We’re even considering dishware.” If you’re in the market for a plate that keeps your food warm — and who wouldn’t be? — keep your eye on Ember in the future.

For now, the Ember Ceramic Mug will run you a cool $80, and you can get it from Ember’s website or from most Starbucks cafes across the country. The travel mug/thermos will cost $150, and you can only find it on the Ember website.

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Nearly indestructible Mymug is the dream of butterfingers everywhere

Swiss Apple Store evacuated after an iPhone battery begins emitting smoke

An Apple Store in the Swiss city of Zurich was evacuated on Tuesday after an iPhone battery began to suddenly overheat and emit smoke.

The battery was being replaced by a store worker when it suddenly heated up, burning the worker’s hand in the process, Reuters reported.

Local police at the scene said in a statement that there was “a slight buildup of smoke, which led to around 50 customers and employees having to leave the business temporarily.” Seven people in the store at the time of the incident received medical treatment, but no one was seriously hurt.

“The staff responded well and correctly,” the police said. “It sprinkled quartz sand over the overheated battery so that the smoke could be contained and sucked out after switching on the ventilation.”

Local media reported that the smartphone at the center of the incident was an iPhone 6 Plus that had been brought in for a replacement battery.

It appears to have been an isolated incident, though we know all too well from past incidents how lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones and other tech devices can sometimes overheat and even catch fire.

In 2016, Samsung was forced to recall its much-anticipated Galaxy Note 7 after an issue with the battery caused many units to overheat. Hoverboards, the big-ticket item of the 2015 holiday season, were also recalled on a massive scale throughout 2016, and even into 2017, after some units were deemed a fire risk due to poorly made lithium-ion batteries.

iPhone battery blues

Apple’s iPhone battery has been in the news a lot lately, but not for overheating. The Cupertino, California-based company recently confessed to deliberately slowing down some iPhones to stabilize performance as the battery ages. Many iPhone owners were upset Apple hadn’t been upfront about its actions when it began the practice via a software update in 2016, with some believing the company was deliberately and secretly frustrating users with slowed-down phones to encourage them to upgrade to new devices, a strategy known as planned obsolescence.

Apple insists its actions are supposed to benefit the user by reducing the chance of sudden shutdowns caused by aging batteries, but the outcry led the company to slash the cost of its battery replacement service for iPhones as far back as the iPhone 6 and SE models from $79 to $29 until the end of 2018.

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Walmart expands fleet of robots to new stores, but promises it won’t cut jobs

Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 hands-on review

Research Center:
Dell XPS 15 2-in-1

Dell’s XPS 15 is one of the best laptops available, but it does have one flaw. It’s a laptop. Asus, Lenovo, HP, and Microsoft all threw their weight behind 15-inch 2-in-1s in 2017, and they show no sign of pulling back. Dell answered at CES 2018 with its own foldable incarnation of the XPS 15.

It looks a lot like the notebook, but Dell has done more than slap a new hinge on its existing design. The XPS 15 2-in-1 is an all-new design that takes dramatic measures to reach its weight of 4.3 pounds and thickness of .63 inches – figures that are among the best in its class.

First, Dell has incorporated Gore fabric into its chassis. More commonly used for lightweight athletic apparel, Gore is an excellent insulator, yet also light and thin. That apparently makes it a good fit for directing heat through a notebook chassis. You can’t feel the fabric when you touch the machine, but it’s there, keeping heat where it should be.

Dell’s XPS 15 2-in-1 is a laptop that unapologetically innovates.

The other change is far more noticeable, and sure to be more controversial. Dell’s XPS 15 uses an innovative maglev keyboard to keep its depth down, making space for the laptop’s internals and large battery. It’s meant to offer good key feel in as little space as possible. But does it work?

Not as well as we’d like. Maglev does pack decent key feel into a very tight space, but it can’t fool your fingers into perceiving depth that’s not there. You’re going to notice your fingers aren’t moving as much as usual, just as you would on Apple’s MacBook Pro 15. While we’re sure some owners won’t mind, we can’t help but feel the keyboard is a misstep. HP’s Spectre x360 15 is only slightly larger and heavier, and its keyboard is excellent. The Microsoft Surface Book 2, with its detachable design, also fares much better.

Thin, but fast

If you’re looking to blame the keyboard’s short travel on something, blame the internals. Dell’s pursuit of a slim design hasn’t kept it from using the latest hardware, including Intel 8th-gen Core processors with AMD Radeon RX Vega mobile graphics.

That’s a powerful chip that should offer GPU performance on par with an Nvidia GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti, and its presence hugely improves this 2-in-1’s versatility. Like the Microsoft Surface Book 2, it’ll be able to handle heavy productivity tasks and even play games at medium detail and 1080p resolution. That means you can use the XPS 15 2-in-1 both as a functional daily driver, and a fun entertainment machine. Speed like that wasn’t possible in a 15-inch 2-in-1 last year.

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Unlike HP and Microsoft, both of which provide just one display choice, Dell will offer both 1080p and 4K options. We saw the 4K option, and it was gorgeous. Precise judgement is hard to make on a show floor but, at risk of proving myself wrong later, I’ll say the XPS 15’s screen looked better than the Spectre x360 15-inch. If you want to better battery life, though, you can opt for the 1080p screen. We didn’t see that, so we can’t say how much wow-factor your sacrifice by going with the basic option. Both options are touchscreens, of course, and work with the included stylus, a chunky and comfortable unit that supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity.

The XPS 15’s connectivity, like its internals, looks towards the future. This laptop is USB-C all the way around, so you’ll have to get used to the new connection standard. HP’s Spectre x360 15-inch does offer one USB-A, and the Surface Book has several.

What about portability? Dell’s placed a 75 watt-hour battery in the XPS 15 2-in-1. That’s respectably large, though not as large as some past models, and it’ll be good for up to 15 hours of endurance with the standard 1080p display. That’s on the upper end of the 15-inch 2-in-1 category. Going 4K will undoubtedly shave a couple hours off that quote.

Are you ready for the future?

Dell’s XPS 15 2-in-1 is a laptop that unapologetically innovates. It pursues thin design, has the latest Intel Core with AMD Vega hardware, and uses maglev in a laptop keyboard for the first time. That should make it one of the fastest 2-in-1s available, and it’ll certainly be among the most attractive – but we do wonder if Dell’s uncompromising vision of the future has inadvertently compromised the keyboard.

You can buy the XPS 15 2-in-1 in late March, starting at $1,300.

Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 Compared To

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 3rd-gen

Samsung Notebook 9 Pen

Acer Switch 3

Samsung Galaxy Book

Samsung Chromebook Pro

Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1

HP ZBook 15

Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

Dell XPS 12 (2013)

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix

Acer Aspire R7

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13

Steelseries’ TrueMove3+ optical sensor debuts on Rival 600 gaming mouse

Steelseries has unveiled a brand new gaming mouse at CES 2018: The Steelseries Rival 600. But as impressive as the overall package is, it’s the sensor system it employs that has tongues wagging. The TrueMove3+ dual sensor setup tracks general player movements and lift-off distance more accurately than ever before.

One of the biggest considerations to make when purchasing a new gaming mouse is what sensor type to go for. Optical ones tend to lack any form of acceleration, while laser sensors operate better on different surfaces. Now gamers need to consider whether they want to go for a gaming mouse with just one sensor, or opt for Steelseries’ new dual-sensor design.

The first sensor used in the TrueMove3+ setup is the same high-end Pixart optical sensor found in mice like the Steelseries Sensei 310 and Rival 310, with a sensitivity of 12,000 dots per inch (or counts per inch, as Steelseries terms it). It’s ultra-low-latency and is said to be jitter-free and great for competitive gaming.

Where the new TrueMove3+ system really stands apart, though, is with its second sensor. The optical sensor can detect lift-off — the physical lifting of the mouse to reposition it — to an accuracy of 0.5mm. That should mean that if you were to lift the mouse off your mat, you wouldn’t have much in the way of any movement during that transition, making for a more accurate mouse overall.

Alongside this newly augmented sensor suite, the Rival 600 employs adjustable weights, so its standard 96g can be adjusted by a further 28g using eight 4g weights. Each of the left- and right-click mouse buttons features a reinforced trigger system that is said to deliver the “best clicks in gaming.” Although that’s certainly more a matter of opinion, what is striking is that the mechanical switches as part of that mechanism are said to have a lifespan of 60 million clicks, so you won’t need to replace this mouse in a hurry if you do decide to buy it.

The overall design of the Rival 600 is ergonomic and right-handed only, but is designed to support both palm and claw-grip gamers. It also has silicon pads for improved grip during high-speed play and a built-in 32-bit ARM processor to handle all button remapping and sensitivity options, all of which can be adjusted — alongside RGB lighting within the Steelseries Engine Software.

The Steelseries Rival 600 is now available on Steelseries’ store and Amazon with a price tag of $80.

There are plenty of great gaming mice on the market right now — here are our favorites.

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Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Pro 13

The Dell XPS 13 has been a fantastic laptop since it’s relaunch in 2015, but every design gets a little old every few years.

At CES 2018, Dell unveiled a complete revamp of the laptop with an emphasis on design finesse, which just happens to be what attracts a lot of people to the MacBook Pro. But when you compare the Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Pro 13, does the Dell do enough to win over Apple fans?

MacBook Pro 13-inch (2017)

Dell XPS 13 (2018)

Dimensions
 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.59 (in)
11.9 x 7.8 x 0.46 inches (0.3 at thinnest)
Weight
 3.02 pounds
2.67 pounds
Processor
 7th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7
8th Generation Intel Core i5, i7
RAM
 8 or 16GB LPDDR3
8 or 16GB LPDDR3
Display
 13.3-inch IPS display
13.3-inch InfinityEdge (touch optional)
Resolution
 2,560 x 1,600
1080p or 4K
Storage
 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB PCIe SSD
256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (PCIe optional)
Networking
 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2
802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2
Ports
4 x Thunderbolt 3, 3.5mm
USB-C, 2 x Thunderbolt 3, Headset, microSD
Webcam
 720p FaceTime HD
720p webcam
Operating System
 MacOS High Sierra
Windows 10
Battery
 54.5 or 49.2 watt-hours
52 watt-hours
Price
$1,250+
$1,000
Availability
Available
Available now
Review
Hands-on
2017 review

Design

Design will always have a subjective aspect to it, but these laptops are both at the top of their respective games. In particular, the design of the MacBook Pro has become iconic. It’s been iterated upon over the years, but the silver, aluminum, unibody look has remained largely the same — and it’s not anything people complain about.

One of the great things about the Dell XPS 13 is that it never attempted to clone anything the MacBook Pro did. It’s got it’s own sense of style, and it’s only gotten better in 2018. The new XPS 13’s ultra-thin bezels have gotten even smaller this time around, resulting in a laptop with a tiny footprint on the table. The MacBook Pro isn’t bad in this regard either, but the XPS is definitely a trimmer machine. What really sets it apart are the option of a white and rose gold color scheme, or the black carbon-fiber texture in the palm rests.

Apple’s improvements to the keyboard and input methods on the MacBook Pro are a mixed bag. We were a big fan of the old keyboard, but weren’t so hot on the Butterfly key switches found in the new MacBook, which have now made their way to the MacBook Pro. The XPS 13’s keyboard and touchpad are comfortable and run-of-the-mill, where the MacBook Pro’s new Touch Bar has the possibility of setting it apart from the pack, or frustrating users. The latter component is an OLED multitouch display that’s meant to replace the MacBook’s top row of function keys — it also adapts based on whatever software you’re using. The technology sounds promising, but it turned out to be completely forgettable, and even inconvenient at times.

As expected, the new MacBook Pro features four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and a single 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, or two Thunderbolt 3 ports if you opt for the non-Touch Bar version. While USB-C support continues to grow, a lot of users may still be put off by the lack of standard ports. Regardless of how you feel, Dell has followed Apple’s lead, trading out USB-A ports for a thinner chassis and three USB-C ports. So while you won’t get USB-A ports either way, the overall design win has to go to Dell.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Apple is still stuck on Intel’s 7th-gen 

Both laptops feature options for both Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs, but the MacBook Pro’s is still behind a generation. The new XPS 13 uses the 8th-gen Core processors, which is a component we tested in the 2017 XPS 13 and saw some pretty impressive results with.

The advantage is a slimmer in terms of RAM. For the Apple, 8GB of RAM is the standard, but the system also starts $300 higher, and the $1,000 XPS 13 includes a Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Both systems have SSD options ranging from 128GB to 1TB, though neither of them have discrete graphics cards. Don’t expect to play games on either of these laptops — but if you want more power in a smaller package, the XPS 13 is where you should look.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Two great displays, but one winner

The MacBook’s display previously held this title, but Dell’s InfinityEdge redesign introduced a fantastic display — and it’s a masterpiece in the new model as well. With the introduction of a 4K model, Dell has really taken its display to the next level. Dell still offers the HD version, but the 4K display sounds out of this world, claiming a 1,500:1 contrast ratio and 400 nit brightness. Dell is also boasts that its display shows 100 percent of the colors in the AdobeRGB scale, which should please photographers and video editors.

It’s not that the Apple’s display isn’t great, though. Against the XPS 13’s HD version, the MacBook Pro would have won out with its high resolution, contrast, brightness, and gamut readings. However, Dell’s 4K model easily one-ups the MacBook Pro, making it the better choice for display.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Portability

The MacBook Pro used to be the thinnest and lightest laptop in town, but those days are long gone. The new XPS 13 is both lighter and thinner, making it super easy to throw it in your bag or hold it in your hand.

As for battery life, that’s another area Apple has fallen behind in. The battery in the older MacBook Pro was 74.5 watt-hours (Wh), while the 2016 model without a Touch Bar is just 54.5, and the Touch Bar version is just 49.2. Even with the improvements to energy efficiency in MacOS High Sierra, that’s not a great sign for the Pro’s battery life. The MacBook Pro lost some of it’s battery life pedigree.

The 2018 Dell XPS 13 actually pulls a trick similar to the newest MacBook Pro 13, reducing battery size from 60 watt-hours to 52 watt-hours. That’s a smaller step back, and the newer Intel 8th-gen Core processor is more efficient, so it may be a wash in real-world use. Dell is quoting over 19 hours of battery life, but we think that’ll prove optimistic when we bring it in for a full review.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Dell settles into the throne

The redesigned Dell XPS 13 steals the crown from the MacBook in most areas. Not only does it beat it out or compete closely in nearly every area, it does it with a sense of confidence in its aesthetics that’s a bit rarer from Windows laptops. On top of that, going with the XPS 13 will save you a solid $300, making it a bit easier to recommend to the laptop buyer.

That doesn’t mean the MacBook sucks — it’s just not for everyone. MacOS diehards will be more than happy to overlook some of the laptop’s quirks. A lot of people will make their decision based on the operating system they prefer, be it MacOS, or Windows. If you’re comfortable with both, however, the XPS 13 does lead the Mac, especially with the laptop’s 2018 update.

Buy MacBook Pro 13-inch from:

Apple

Buy the 2017 Dell XPS 13 from:

Dell

Editors’ Recommendations

• MacBook Pro 13 vs. MacBook Pro 15
• Dell XPS 13 Review
• Dell XPS 13 vs. Asus ZenBook 13: Two thin and light 13-inch notebooks face off
• HP Spectre 13 (2017) review
• Dell Inspiron 13 5000 2-in-1 review

The ‘Forever Battery’ charges your devices wirelessly from across the room

Wireless transmission of electricity has been a dream of engineers for a long time. More than a hundred years ago, Nikola Tesla spent a fortune trying to build a device to transmit electricity over long distances. Today, in a world full of smartphones, laptops, and other devices that need frequent charging, that dream remains alive.

“Wireless” charging systems, like Qi, do exist, but they still require users to set a device on a charging mat, eliminating the need for cables but not the need to set your phone down. A company called Ossia hopes to change the industry with what it proclaims to be a true wireless charging system, and CEO Mario Obeidat stopped by Digital Trends’ CES 2018 booth to share some info about Ossia’s “Forever Battery,” a revolutionary take on an old design.

The Forever Battery comes in a AA form factor, and houses electronics (including an antenna) within its shell. Ossia’s Cota system uses a transmitter that beams electricity along direct paths through the air to the antenna in the battery, charging it from distances of up to 30 feet, with nary a wire to be seen between them.

“Think of Wi-Fi,” Obeidat said. “Just like you have a Wi-Fi router in the home, you have a Cota transmitter. You have many low-power devices, one of them could be the AA battery … inside of it has electronics that communicate and receive power from that transmitter.” The Cota system beams the power only through unoccupied space; if a person were to move in the way, Cota would angle the beam to avoid them.

Obeidat went on to explain that users could have the battery in a variety of devices, such as smoke detectors or remote controls, receiving power without hassle. He also emphasized that the AA form factor of the Forever Battery is just the start. Ossia believes it can scale the technology down to work in smartphone batteries. To this end, the company hopes to partner with large smartphone manufacturers to integrate Cota into their smartphone batteries.

Ossia’s tech is so radical that it has earned the CES Innovation Award for three straight years. Don’t expect Cota to replace power lines as the arteries of modern civilization, however. Cota is focused on low-power devices for now. “Once you’re talking about 10 watts and 20 watts, that becomes a little bit outside,” Obeidat said.

Still, if Ossia’s tech works, it would be a major convenience for consumers — and a great boon for the environment, given the hazards of battery disposal.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Powermat’s Charging Spot 4.0 is compatible with more devices, easier to install
• Grovemade unveils a beautiful new Wireless Charging Pad
• Apple’s not very happy holiday party: Lawsuits filed over iPhone slowdowns
• Mophie vs. Belkin vs. RavPower: Who has the best wireless charging pad?
• Energous is finally bringing its awesome new wireless charging tech to market

The ‘Forever Battery’ charges your devices wirelessly from across the room

Wireless transmission of electricity has been a dream of engineers for a long time. More than a hundred years ago, Nikola Tesla spent a fortune trying to build a device to transmit electricity over long distances. Today, in a world full of smartphones, laptops, and other devices that need frequent charging, that dream remains alive.

“Wireless” charging systems, like Qi, do exist, but they still require users to set a device on a charging mat, eliminating the need for cables but not the need to set your phone down. A company called Ossia hopes to change the industry with what it proclaims to be a true wireless charging system, and CEO Mario Obeidat stopped by Digital Trends’ CES 2018 booth to share some info about Ossia’s “Forever Battery,” a revolutionary take on an old design.

The Forever Battery comes in a AA form factor, and houses electronics (including an antenna) within its shell. Ossia’s Cota system uses a transmitter that beams electricity along direct paths through the air to the antenna in the battery, charging it from distances of up to 30 feet, with nary a wire to be seen between them.

“Think of Wi-Fi,” Obeidat said. “Just like you have a Wi-Fi router in the home, you have a Cota transmitter. You have many low-power devices, one of them could be the AA battery … inside of it has electronics that communicate and receive power from that transmitter.” The Cota system beams the power only through unoccupied space; if a person were to move in the way, Cota would angle the beam to avoid them.

Obeidat went on to explain that users could have the battery in a variety of devices, such as smoke detectors or remote controls, receiving power without hassle. He also emphasized that the AA form factor of the Forever Battery is just the start. Ossia believes it can scale the technology down to work in smartphone batteries. To this end, the company hopes to partner with large smartphone manufacturers to integrate Cota into their smartphone batteries.

Ossia’s tech is so radical that it has earned the CES Innovation Award for three straight years. Don’t expect Cota to replace power lines as the arteries of modern civilization, however. Cota is focused on low-power devices for now. “Once you’re talking about 10 watts and 20 watts, that becomes a little bit outside,” Obeidat said.

Still, if Ossia’s tech works, it would be a major convenience for consumers — and a great boon for the environment, given the hazards of battery disposal.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Powermat’s Charging Spot 4.0 is compatible with more devices, easier to install
• Grovemade unveils a beautiful new Wireless Charging Pad
• Apple’s not very happy holiday party: Lawsuits filed over iPhone slowdowns
• Mophie vs. Belkin vs. RavPower: Who has the best wireless charging pad?
• Energous is finally bringing its awesome new wireless charging tech to market