In a blog post today, ST-Ericsson announced a new device that aims to keep your smartphone and tablet off the charger and in your hands for longer periods of time. Simply called the PM2300, the power product promises to charge your device’s standard, Li-Ion battery in half the time it takes current charging mechanisms. The PM2300,which is expected to be available this fall, also uses fewer PCB (printed circuit board) materials. ST-Ericsson lists the device’s selling points as:

• Charges the battery at 3A instead of 1.5A max
• Halves the battery charging time: less than 3h for a 25Ah battery
• Charge even during intensive use cases: typical intensive use cases consume around 1A

If we can’t have longer lasting batteries, an improved charger that translates into less time tethered to the wall-outlet will have to do.

[Via Engadget]

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LG on Tuesday announced a new inductive charging system at the CTIA Wireless 2011 show. Like the Powermat, LG’s Wireless Charging Pad is a flat mat that plugs into any standard power outlet. Compatible LG handsets can then be placed on top of the pad, and the device will charge them without the need to connect any wires. Other similar inductive charging solutions currently on the market require users to attach accessories or a special battery packs to their handsets in order to function. LG, however, will build inductive coils into the battery doors on its devices, thus affording cord-free charging without the need for any third-party accessories. LG’s first Wireless Charging Pad, the WCP-700, will launch next month for $69.99, though LG has not yet detailed which handsets will be compatible with the device. Hit the break for the full press release.

LG Mobile Phones Introduces Revolutionary Wireless Charging Solution

LG Wireless Charging Pad features industry leading charging efficiency

SAN DIEGO, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — LG Mobile Phones announced today the LG Wireless Charging Pad (WCP-700).  Featuring a sleek and sharp design, LG Wireless Charging Pad is poised to revolutionize wireless charging as we know it.  With inductive coils built into the battery doors and internal contacts, advanced wireless charging technology allows for a cord-free power source – alleviating the need for external connections that limit the phones usability.

LG Wireless Charging Pad provides industry leading wireless charging and ergonomics. For easy and intuitive use, LG Wireless Charging Pad features audible and tactile feedback when a phone is placed on the pad, as well as multi-colored LED lights to indicate charging status. Taking the hassle out of charging your wireless devices, LG Wireless Charging Pad also sports a compact, sleek design to easily accommodate an on-the-go lifestyle.

Key features:

• Visual, audible and tactile feedback – allows user to see, feel and hear when the phone is placed properly on the pad
  • Power LED – Blue = Plugged in
  • Battery LED – Orange = Ready to Charge
  • Battery LED – Flashing Green = Phone is Charging Correctly
  • Battery LED – Solid Green = Phone is Fully Charged
• Slim and sleek design – allows for convenient storage, taking up minimal space
• Effective Range – 7mm from center of placement guide
• Dimensions – 6.29″x3.54″x0.39″

Pricing and availability:

The LG WCP-700 will be available in early April for $69.99.

A sad Samsung Focus owner recently took to AT&T’s online forum with a tale of woe that could spell trouble for AT&T and Samsung. With pictures as evidence, the man alleges that his Samsung smartphone overheated while charging and burned both the charger port and the cable connector. He claims that his handset began repeatedly sounding a charging chime, even when it was not plugged into the charger. The man plugged his phone in to see if it might stop the chimes and within 30 seconds he says he smelled the delightful aroma of burning electronics. A power surge could have been a possible explanation, but the plot then thickened; several other Focus owners have since reported symptoms similar to those that lead up to the meltdown, though none have reported fiery finales at this point. The story doesn’t quite have the same flare as news of an iPhone 4 owner whose device recently exploded and burned his hand, but we’re sure this former Focus fan didn’t mind escaping unscathed. What he did mind, however, is AT&T store reps’ less-than-helpful response to the man’s predicament. Rather than swapping the phone out on the spot, they’re making him jump through warranty claim hoops in order to replace his fricasseed phone. Hit the break for two more images of the damaged Focus.

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Yes. Performance Designed Products has just unveiled the Wii accessory every Wii user has been waiting for — even if he or she didn’t know it. That’s right people, say hello to the Energizer Induction Charging System for Wii. PDP’s Energizer-branded line of accessories packs a few gems but none as sweet as this new Wiimote charging dock, which makes use of wireless induction charging technology to facilitate contact-free charging of Wiimotes. Badass. Users won’t even have to remove the protective sleeves or wrist straps from their Wiimotes; just plop that sucker on the charging dock and let induction do its thing. The dock can also be laid flat so Wii MotionPlus users won’t even have to disconnect the adapters to juice up their controllers. Fantastic. The Energizer Induction Charging System for Wii is slated to hit stores next month for $49.99 — a bargain at twice the price.

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Listen up Quickfire owners, AT&T just made a pretty major announcement: Your phone is going to self-destruct in exactly five days! Just kidding, sort of — if you don’t follow the proper procedures for charging your device, it just might. On Monday we broke news of the Quickfire being pulled off shelves and being cut from sales indefinitely without any public statement from AT&T. Now Big Blue is saying there have been reports of significant overheating when the charger is forced or incorrectly inserted into the phone. While there is usually only one way to get a charger in, sometimes phone designs allow for some wiggle room and these bad connectors appear to be the culprit of the Quickfire’s dismissal. If you own a Quickfire and haven’t received a notice already, you’ll soon receive an email and SMS that reads:

Please take special care when charging your Quickfire GTX75 mobile phone. There have been a few reports of significant overheating of the phone when the AC Charger adapter is inserted incorrectly and forced into the phone. The clearly marked, embossed arrow on the AC Charger adapter should always be face-up on the same side as the display screen of the Quickfire when it is inserted into the phone. See the diagram below for proper positioning and insertion of the AC Charger adapter into the phone. You should never force the AC Charger adapter into the phone.

This goes without saying but be sure to take note of this to avoid any injuries or serious damage to your phone and property. At least now we know why such a cool little device was suddenly yanked from store shelves and we hope the problem is remedied soon.

Thanks, Craig!

[Via Phonescoop]

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