Wi-Charge's wireless charger tops up devices with infrared light (pictures)

What's better than laying your smartphone on a specific area to charge it wirelessly? Putting it anywhere you want.

Jessica Dolcourt

Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).

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Jessica Dolcourt

March 10, 2015 6:00 a.m. PT

1 of 5 James Martin/CNET

Your new power source: light

Although wireless charging startup Wi-Charge uses light to charge up devices like smartphones and portable speakers, we're not talking about solar power.

2 of 5 James Martin/CNET

The transmitter

Instead, an overhead transmitter like this rather clunky prototype here will beam out infrared light.

3 of 5 James Martin/CNET

Light, received

The invisible infrared beam will hit a receiver, in this case the silver plate on this case, which has been built for demo purposes.

4 of 5 James Martin/CNET

Power up

Once captured, the receiver converts light energy back into electrical energy to charge the device, making this type of wireless charging suited to larger spaces, like your home or a coffee shop.