This new tech will transform the way you charge your phone

FreePower for Countertop just introduced a sleek new solution.

Feb 27, 2024 - 20:30

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This new tech will transform the way you charge your phone

From classic wireless charging to MagSafe and the latest Qi standard, we’ve seen all sorts of visions for wireless chargers. Some are still pucks that lay flat, and others are stands—either route, some are just for one device or can handle the placement of multiple devices.

One brand that's been cutting against the grain of wireless charging is FreePower, which is all about not worrying about proper placement. Most recently, it's inside the Tesla (TSLA) Wireless Charging Platform, which hides the stacked wireless charging coils under an Alcantara fabric top — and a Tesla-designed shell — but lets you charge three devices simultaneously anywhere on it. The brand has racked up over 230 patents for the wireless charging tech, but even with this, it's not the ideal form since it goes on top of a surface and needs to be plugged in.

FreePower has ambitions for the wireless charging tech to be integrated into surfaces. It’s taking the next step towards this evolution with an announcement at the 2024 Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas, NV.

A wireless charger in your kitchen counter

A look at FreePower CounterTop installed in a kitchen island counter.
FreePower

FreePower for Countertop goes inside countertops and turns that surface into a wireless charger for up to three devices. On the surface, you’ll see a strip of LEDs in a rectangle showing you the wireless charging area. The actual tech, including FreePower's array of wireless charging coils based on the Qi 2 standard, is mounted and embedded in the countertop stone underneath. Below is a graphic of the layers, including the coils and cooling.

Since it’s still your counter's material, you can easily clean it, and there won’t be any crevices or dives. Via a companion app for an Android or iOS device, you can customize the so-called “halo” effect from the LEDs and turn on various settings, such as turning the lights off. You can then set to have them awake with a wave of your hand over the wireless charger.

An expanded look at the tech powering the FreePower CounterTop.
FreePower

And while a consumer can’t go to a BestBuy and buy one, FreePower is working with builders, designers, architects, and showrooms. This way, if you’re planning a remodel, building a home, or just want to cut into your existing countertop, you can add and get set up for FreePower for CounterTop.

We’re waiting on pricing a range, but it’ll likely cost a bit to get a feel of the future. Just imagine that you get home from a long day at the office and can toss your phone and wireless earbuds on your counter, ensuring they get recharged. No fuss with wires or trying to get devices properly aligned on a wireless charger. It doesn’t need to be limited to the kitchen, but could be built into an office or bathroom.

FreePower also designed the system for easy swaps should the wireless charging pad need to be replaced, and all the elements can receive software updates. That’s especially good news since they’re cutting into stone. We aim to go hands-on in the next few weeks with a sample of FreePower for CounterTop and will report back once we’ve tried the tech.