My main concern would be power usage of idle electronics. As far as i understood, this technology functions by constantly emitting a high-energy electromagnetic frequency which nearby electronics just hook into.

However, this seems like a one-way exchange, with the electronics being able to react and absorb the frequency, but the frequency emitter would not recieve any feedback about whether the frequency is actually being used. This essentially makes it emit a constant high-energy electromagnentic field, emitting WiTricity and consuming electricity even though no electronics are recieving the signal.

This seems rather wasteful. I'm sure they are considering solutions to this, but I was rather disappointed that he didn't adress such an obvious problem.

Its not about effort, its about getting rid of wires. Also about getting rid of batteries which genuinely do cause quite a mess and problem. It wouldn't necessarily call for a complete revamping of the electro-infrastructure of the earth either. As per the demonstration you would still need to plug *something* in (at least for now) and then all your devices that you actually use you no longer have to worry about keeping charged all the time as well as no longer having to worry about (power) cables all over the place.

All in all an incredible tech. with quite a number of applications. I could definitely see future homes being built with one of those WiTricity transformers built into its own designated space in the house somewhere. Wouldn't even need to be in the open, just stick it in the wall or floor with a section of wall/floor over it you can remove if something breaks. *That* would be the main concern of course, is making sure it's just as reliable over the long term use as current power availability.

Oh and considering its a magnetic field, suppose its a good thing CRT's are going the way o' the dodo, no?

>> ^quantumushroom:
I'm sure witricity has some novel uses, but is plugging a plug into the wall that complicated?
No. No it's not.

You're right it's not that complicated. But as usual you miss the point completely.

Is having 50 million god damn chargers for all your toys plugged into every freaking available socket in your house a major pain in the ass? YES, it is!

I'm sure witricity has some novel uses, but is plugging a plug into the wall that complicated?

No. No it's not.