Nomad today shared a behind-the-scenes video that focuses on its upcoming "Base Station Pro" wireless charging mat. Similar to Apple's canceled AirPower accessory, the Base Station Pro can charge up to three devices at once in any position.
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Nomad worked with Aira and its "FreePower" wireless charging technology to build the Base Station Pro, which features an 18 coil matrix and proprietary algorithms that locate your smartphone in any orientation. The mat supports the Qi standard, so it's compatible with Apple's latest iPhones and any other smartphone that has Qi wireless charging support.
In the box, Nomad includes a 2 meter USB-C to USB-C braided cable and a 30W USB-C power adapter. The Base Station Pro itself measures about 8.7 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, and 0.5 inches thick.
Nomad's video shows off the Base Station Pro and how the company went about creating the device. The video and Nomad's website showcase the iPhone and AirPods on the mat, but Apple Watch charging will not be supported. Nomad currently sells the Base Station Apple Watch Edition as another AirPower alternative, which includes a dedicated charging puck for the wearable device and is priced at $139.
You can also purchase the original Base Station for $99, which charges up to two smartphones wirelessly or up to four with the integrated USB-C and USB-A ports.
Nomad has yet to reveal a price or a release date for the Base Station Pro, but those interested can sign up to be notified when it will be available for pre-order. You can head to Nomad's website for more information.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)I’m not a wireless charging fan as of yet but these alternatives make me wonder
They’re the biggest MARKETING company in the world.I’m curious why/how Apple couldn’t finalise AirPower being the biggest tech company in the world.
I’m not a wireless charging fan as of yet but these alternatives make me wonder
The tech part is incidental.
I wish people would stop giving that same old tired justification for being too cheap to buy a $15 Qi pad.Not a fan of wireless charging. Which introduces more heat. Which, ironically, could benefit from a fan.
The heat from USB-C wired charging, which operates at 24 watts, far exceeds 5-7.5 W wireless charging, and puts far more wear on the battery.
Still doesn't do it. Watch needs to be in a specific spot.Slicecharge Pro, now available for sale directly from Hard Cider Labs ('https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2127998328/slicecharge-pro-worlds-1st-6-coils-wireless-chargi')
9to5mac puts this explanation out there:
The issue, and likely the difficulty Apple has with AirPower, is that standard wireless charging coils are too large to charge the Watch – while Watch coils are too small to charge an iPhone. The only way around that is to have overlapping coils of both standard and Watch size, which creates interference issues. Hard Cider Labs hasn’t attempted this, likely figuring that if even Apple hasn’t done it yet, it’s best left alone.
I’ve tried about four different charging pads and there have been issues with all of them. One of them almost overheated my AirPods case (Berlin), another is very specific about placement of the device and my most recent purchase, the SliceCharge, is extremely unreliable. So in my opinion, we are still quite far from seeing a proper AirPower alternative. I hope I’m wrong though.I’m curious why/how Apple couldn’t finalise AirPower being the biggest tech company in the world.
I’m not a wireless charging fan as of yet but these alternatives make me wonder
Has anyone tried Nomad’s Apple Watch Edition? And is it working properly with Apple Watch, AirPods and iPhone charging simultaneously?