PowerPlate' Wireless Induction Charging Base Review

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(More customer reviews)This device only supports two models of phones. Don't even bother with it unless you have an iPhone 3G/3GS or Blackberry Curve 8900. Even if you do have these models, you'll still have to buy separate accessories to make it work. Don't make my mistake; find a different product from a different vendor.
The description of the PowerPlate induction charging base sold by Brookstone states that there are induction accessories for the iPhone 3G/3GS and Blackberry Curve 8900 that are sold separately, but are required. I have a Motorola Droid 3 with the induction charging cover. This charging cover works with several other types of induction charging bases, so I mistakenly assumed that it would work with the PowerPlate. That's supposed to be one of the benefits of induction-based charging (no wires, so universal charging is possible). Brookstone has a 15% restocking fee for all PowerPlate items and since I paid less than $10 for it, it isn't worth the hassle of getting an RMA and paying for return shipping.
I think that the description should be updated to make it clear that this device doesn't work on all phones that support induction-based charging. It should be made VERY clear it that is only supported on the iPhone 3g/3gs and one Blackberry model.
As far as the aesthetics of the device itself, it's reasonably attractive and the AC adapter is recessed so it is well hidden. I'm the proud owner of a lovely piece of shiny, black plastic. The base station itself is about twice the size of other similar devices that I've used, but I was willing to live with that since it was so cheap. I got what I paid for.

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Powermat One Position Charging Mat with HTC EVO 4G Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I happened to be strolling through Best Buy this weekend and snatched this up. I have been looking for a dock-type solution for my EVO that lets me easily charge the phone at night since I use it as an alarm clock. My charging cable plugged into my headboard just wasn't a good situation, and I wanted something better.
The first unit I got at BB seemed to work well at first - I put everything together, and plopped the phone on the pad. The pad made the sound and lit up, but the phone would not charge. My phone charged just fine via regular cable. Further, an iPhone 3GS charged just fine on the pad as well, so the culprit was in the back case and its mini-usb connector.
After returning the defective unit to BB, I now have a new one that charges my EVO wonderfully! Except for one problem - the auto-shut off feature. The problem is, when the phone reaches 100%, the pad turns off as designed. However, my phone is still using battery power after that, and the battery begins to drain. The pad will eventually realize the phone needs charging again, but not until the battery has gotten significantly low - about 50% or lower. As soon as I reseat the phone, the pad starts charging again no matter what percentage my battery is at.
This is a problem - what if you pick up the phone from the pad after it's gone through a full charge and then drained significantly? You have to reseat the phone and wait to charge to 100%. This is ridiculous. I have contacted Powermat to see if this is an issue with just my unit, or if this is an issue in general, but seeing as the iPhone 3GS doesn't appear to have this same problem, I am guessing this is either a design flaw in the EVO product, or in my specific unit. However, given my initial experience, I am hesitant to bring the unit back to BB to potentially get another failed unit!!!

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