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Duracell Wants to Change the Way You Charge

Duracell debuts its 24-Hour Power System, with the hopes of making its wireless charging solution a household name.

June 11, 2012

Cutting the cord is not a new concept, but Duracell hopes to extend the idea to the realm of device charging. On Monday, Duracell unveiled its newest venture into the world of wireless induction-based charging, dubbed the 24-Hour Power System. Alongside the new consumer solution, Duracell will also begin promoting what it calls the Wireless Power Nation, an ecosystem of public wireless charging hotspots to be made readily available to Powermat users.

The original Powermat Home & Office first piqued our interest back in 2007, and we found it to be an exciting concept with a lot of potential. Fast forward to 2012 and we have the new 24-Hour Power System, a product Duracell hopes will change the charging game.

The technology is largely the same, albeit slimmed down and gussied up with a sleek case, charging pad, and portable backup battery solution all included in the package. It's not completely wireless—you'll still have to plug the pad into a wall socket—but the idea of simply placing your device down to charge is far more elegant than having to plug and unplug it to get the same juice. For now, the 24-Hour Power System is designed specifically for the iPhone 4 and 4S, but Duracell hopes to bring more device compatibility to the market in the near future. We've yet to put the system through its paces, but stay tuned for a full review.

Perhaps more exciting is the Wireless Power Nation ecosystem of charging hotspots. With the help of Jay-Z, Duracell hopes to roll out these charging hotspots to high-traffic locations such as airports, offices, arenas, and hotels, making them the de facto source of wireless power on the go. We got a sneak peek at the potential of the Wireless Power Nation at the 40/40 Club in New York, where Duracell decked the halls, tables, and booths with wireless hotspots. The hotspots themselves are discreet discs, built directly into furniture. Simply place a device with the proper case onto a hotspot and watch it charge.

While an incredible concept, it remains to be seen how effectively the company can penetrate the national market. Duracell mentioned initial rollout to key locations around New York, but no exact timetable on when or where these hotspots will be up and running for public use. The company also made a nod to potential partnerships with manufacturers themselves to build the induction power technology right into devices.

The 24-Hour Power System will hit select retail shelves on June 11, and will also be available through online retailers nationwide. The complete system will set you back $99.99, while additional cases can be bought for $34.99 and additional batteries will cost $49.99.