Wireless Extension Cords - April's Fools Joke
A product cheekily put on sale by ThinkGeek.com as an April's Fools joke is credited as building interest in the consumerization of Power Over Wireless.
US researchers have outlined a relatively simple system that could deliver power to devices such as laptop computers or MP3 players without wires.
April Fool's Joke Advertisement:
Just plug the Wireless Extension Cord (WEC) base unit into a standard wall outlet, and plug whatever you need into the satellite unit. The WEC uses microwaves in the 7.2GHz range, so it won't interfere with wireless networks, Bluetooth components, etc. Now, all you need to do is adjust the antennae on the two units so they are aimed at each other. Turn everything on and you have the power! The distance the WEC units can broadcast differs from situation to situation (due to interference of such things as walls, power lines, and microwave ovens), but we've beamed power over 300 feet!