Gadgetwise Blog: Wireless Charging on the Go for the iPhone 5

The PowerSnap kit from Duracell includes the AccessCase and the SnapBattery.

Duracell wants to make sure you never have to beg for a phone charger or hunt for a power outlet again.

The copper-top battery maker recently introduced a charging case for the iPhone 5 that works with its Powermat, a charging station for mobile devices that was introduced in 2009.

The Powermat charges devices that are laid on it through inductive technology. Unfortunately, that technology has yet to be incorporated into Apple devices, so Duracell has come up with the PowerSnap Kit, which includes an AccessCase and a SnapBattery, both designed for the iPhone 5.

The case comes in two parts: the top snaps on the phone and the bottom includes a Lightning connector. They clip together, but a single unit would have been better. The case feels fragile, as if it would crack easily if the phone were dropped.

Once encased, the phone will charge when placed on a Powermat. A magnet ensures the phone is aligned properly; the mat chirps when the alignment is correct, and again when the phone is removed. I was able to fully charge my phone on the Powermat in two hours.

If a Powermat is not available, the SnapBattery is a capable backup. It attaches to the back of the AccessCase, adding a little bulk but also more protection. It was a little tricky to slide into place, but once it was there, it held firm. The battery can be charged on a Powermat or via a USB cable.

The PowerSnap Kit costs $100; it is available on Duracell’s e-commerce site and at other retailers. The Powermat is sold separately, but Duracell has partnerships with sporting arenas and airports to install Powermat stations that are free to use.

Duracell is also testing the Powermat in Starbucks locations in the Boston area. On a recent trip to Boston, I took the opportunity to check out the Powermat stations, which were inlaid in a long table inside a Starbucks. They worked remarkably well, even the one that was cracked, charging my phone the instant I laid it down.

Duracell is negotiating with wireless carriers to incorporate the technology inside smartphones, but it faces competition. Wireless charging stations could become as ubiquitous as Wi-Fi hot spots, but it remains to be seen whether Powermat will dominate.