I saw a little Consumer Electronics Show blurb showing a technology that seems to be a way to recharge gadgetry of all kinds without plugging in. It is almost an osmosis kind of process whereby the unit is placed in an area making contact with a conductive pad of some sort. Visteon (automotive application shown in link) is one of the companies in the JV http://www.mobilitysite.com/2007/01/wireless_car_charger_coming_to_ces.php How eCoupled Intelligent Wireless Power Works eCoupled technology leverages inductive coupling, which works by transferring energy from one device to another through a shared magnetic field. The technology stems from the foundational work of renowned scientists Michael Faraday and Nikola Tesla. Fulton Innovation's intelligent inductive power technology overcomes historic limitations of inductive coupling by using resonance-seeking circuitry that dynamically seeks and optimizes power transfer under multiple, varying load conditions and spatial configurations. Conventional inductive coupling typically requires careful "tuning" of the power supply circuit with the device being powered. Only minor variations in the physical positioning and power requirements of the inductively powered are tolerated. Any variation in either the load or the positioning of the power supply relative to the device can severely impact performance. eCoupled technology addresses the limitations of spatial rigidity, static loads and unacceptable power losses. The eCoupled technology power supplies adapt to multiple loads and spatial configurations while maximizing energy transfer efficiencies by dynamically seeking resonance between the power supply and device at high frequencies to achieve the optimal coupling coefficient under all conditions. Energy efficiency is increased over conventional inductive coupling with power losses as low as 2 percent, making eCoupled technology comparable to hardwired connections. eCoupled technology includes an intelligent feedback and control system, communicating with individual devices in real time, which allows the technology to determine not only power needs, but also factors such as age of a battery or device and charging lifecycles on an individual basis in order to supply the optimal amount of power to keep a device at peak efficiency. Industry Leaders Poised to Free Consumers from Problematic Cords and Chargers Power cords and chargers have been the bane of consumer devices for years, with bulky cords and cables contributing to office and home clutter and presenting a potential safety hazard. Difficulties in charging devices result in lost business and social opportunities. For manufacturers, cords and chargers are a primary source of product failure and customer complaints. Fulton Innovation is poised to solve all of these problems through its novel eCoupled intelligent wireless power technology. "We believe eCoupled technology will set a revolutionary new standard for Intelligent Wireless Power transfer anywhere traditional power needs exist." said David Hazlett, Fulton Innovation's Director of Business Development." In addition to making this technology available in consumer devices, Fulton Innovation is currently seeking partners in other areas, including medical devices, power supplies, office electronics and kitchen appliances. Any product that uses power is a candidate for eCoupled technology. About eCoupled: eCoupled technology is a revolutionary new development of Fulton Innovation -- a member of the Alticor Inc. family of corporations. Fulton Innovation is dedicated to commercializing new and innovative technologies. The engineers behind eCoupled have been developing and perfecting the technology for many years. The product has been deployed in Alticor water treatment products for six years. Nearly a million devices with eCoupled technology, representing over $1.2 billion in sales, have been sold to date. Alticor Inc. employs more that 13,000 people worldwide, including over 450 engineers and scientists. Alticor has sales in excess of $6 billion. Alticor's world headquarters are located in Ada, Michigan with affiliates located in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide.