There’s Electricity in the Air Over Intel’s New Chip

Intel has been conducting experiments that would make electricity pioneer Nikola Tesla proud. Intel plans to get consumers charged up over their newest technology that will allow laptops to provide electricity to nearby smartphones without cables. Enough with the electricity puns - we're just ecstatic about this new technology!

While we won't be seeing this right away, Intel plans to reveal an Ultrabook with Wireless Charging Technology (WCT) in 2013. It's pretty likely we'll see it in action at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2013.

Essentially, all you need to do is set your depleted gadget next to a WCT-enabled Ultrabook and it will start to transfer electricity without cables or wires. It needs to be fairly close, likely within a couple inches, but that is much better than messing around with a USB cable, especially while traveling. Imagine how much more portable your laptop would be if you didn't have to lug a bag around with all the various charging cables.

There aren't a lot of details beyond that, but it will be interesting to see further applications of the technology over the next few years. Perhaps airports and public Wi-fi areas will be able to wirelessly charge your devices while they are in your pockets. We're likely a long ways from that, but when a new piece of technology kicks off, it can expand itself quickly.

For those of us who have found themselves a long ways from home without their cell phone charger, this technology could be a real game changer.