End of the line for adapters?

A new industry initiative could cut down our need to lug around multiple power adapters - surely the single biggest irritation in computing.

PCW has been pointing out for years that the technology exist for smart power supplies with whatever a device wants. But the idea has never gained momentum, perhaps because vendors are making too much money from existing adapters.

The new initiative, launched in Hong Kong last month, would do away with the plugs altogether and deliver power wirelessly. This is alredy done by any adapter that transfered by wireles induction between the primary and secondary windings.

In the system proposed by the new Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the primary and secondary would be separated respectively into the source and the device drawing power. There are eight companies in the WPC: National Semiconductor, Philips, Logitech, Convenient Power, Fulton Innovation and Shenzhen Sang Fei Consumer Communications.

Proprietary wireless charging devices are already available. The WPC aims to create a standard to allow any compliant device to be charged by any compliant source.

"This is a crucial moment in the development of wireless power," said Menno Treffer, senior director of standardisation at Philips and chairman of the WPC.

The standard relates only to power transmission across a short distance and is not about to do away with adapters. It will deliver only 5W, so is suitable for only low-drain devices. However, the WPC intends to move on to a higher power spec.