David Ferris, Contributor I write about eco-friendly technology
and the people who make it. Anyone with a dying cellphone has
wondered in frustration when our so-called “wireless” phones
will cut that umbilical cord of modern life — the power cable.
After years of speculation, the solution may finally be at hand:
Samsung is expected to release a wireless charging kit for its
Galaxy S3 phone this fall. The novelty may mask how profoundly
disruptive the technology is. Developers envision new products
like cordless televisions, waterproof cellphones, durable and
powerful medical implants, soldiers unburdened by batteries, and
more efficient factory equipment. But one of the most far-
reaching implications is that managing devices may become both
easier and less wasteful. Wireless power could reduce demand for
power cables while making gadgets more durable, eliminate the
need for throwaway batteries, and perhaps even accelerate the
adoption of electric cars. Watchers of this embryonic market
think it’s going to be