FreePower wants to change how and where you charge your phone.

Main points

• FreePower creates wireless charging pads for stone countertops that allow charging devices to interact seamlessly with illuminated indicators.
• Translucent stone was chosen to enhance interactivity and visibility and cost approximately $800 to $1,000 to install.
• FreePower plans to expand to wooden counters, partnering with manufacturers to display in showrooms and hotels to provide a convenient charging experience.

Wireless charging of phones, wireless headphones, and even smartwatches has become commonplace and incredibly convenient. However, wireless charging pads are finicky. Pads in particular lack MagSafe or Qi2 support, which use magnets to hold compatible phones and gadgets in place. You have to align the charging pad and the charging coil on your phone correctly or it won’t charge at all.

It feels like a long time ago that Apple released AirPower, a wireless charging pad that allows you to place all your Apple devices anywhere on the pad and have them magically charge wirelessly. Apple eventually abandoned the project after determining it didn’t meet their standards.

FreePower hasn’t given up on the dream of worry-free wireless charging.

However, FreePower has not given up on the dream of worry-free wireless charging. Over the past few years, FreePower has partnered with the likes of Nomad Goods and its Base Station Pro, and more recently, Tesla to develop its wireless charging platform — both of which implement the vision set out by Apple with AirPower, but work with any Qi-compatible equipment equipment.

How is FreePower going now?

All surfaces can be charged wirelessly

I recently spoke with FreePower CEO and founder Jake Slatnick about the company’s latest product and how it brings the company closer to its vision of “surface power” by adding wireless charging capabilities to more surfaces.

FreePower’s latest product? A wireless charging pad was built into the stone countertop during construction. There’s a glowing ring that shines through the stone, indicating where the charging pad is and when it’s active. These charging pads are large enough to wirelessly charge three devices at the same time.

“A big reason we chose stone is because stone – most stone – has a level of translucency that you can cast light through. When [you] When I asked about the decision to launch FreePower for stone rather than other countertop materials, Slatnick explained: “With that translucency, it becomes very interactive.”

What is FreePower used for?

Seamless and somewhat magical

A few days before my call with Slatnick, FreePower sent me a demo sample — consisting of a small piece of stone countertop embedded with FreePower charging technology. The moment I opened the box, a circle of light lit up, showing me where I could place the phone and adding a touch of fun to the overall experience.

After unpacking everything, I was left with a slate countertop with a charging pad underneath. When the unit is idle, you can’t tell it’s any different—it just looks like a standard countertop. However, when I moved the phone closer to it, a light on the right side lit up, letting me know where the charging pad was. There’s a fan underneath the charging coil that quietly keeps the device cool.

In situations such as a bar or hotel room, the light can be left on at all times so employees can introduce the FreePower integration to customers. “Any time you go anywhere and you see that glow, you know it’s a wireless charger,” Slatnick said.

There is a bar called 36 Below in Phoenix, Arizona, which now has FreePower charging capabilities built into the countertops around the bar. (Pictured above.) There’s also a companion app that should be coming soon, Slatnick said.The app will allow you to control the lights on your charger, including changing colors and turning

Adding FreePower to a countertop costs between $800 and $1,000 per installation.

The company is currently working with manufacturers to certify them, who will then “scoop out” the stone to make room for the components and place them in specific locations suitable for phones and other devices. For example, placing a mat in the area of ​​your kitchen where you’re most likely to sit and place your laptop won’t work, so it could teach manufacturers how to think about proper placement and provide guidance.

What’s next for FreePower?

as many places as possible

When I asked Slatnick about the future direction of the company, he told me that the company is developing retrofit kits for wood and other countertop materials. FreePower will continue to work with and certify more manufacturers across the country, bringing demo setups to showrooms nationwide and working with furniture manufacturers.

If you find a circle of light on a flat surface in public, give in to temptation – put your phone inside and see what happens.

In addition, FreePower will continue to work with hospitality businesses (like the aforementioned bars) as well as hotels to place more wireless charging pads within furniture, making wireless charging a seamless experience at home or on the go.

If you find a circle of light on a flat surface in public, give in to temptation – put your phone inside and see what happens. Most likely it will start charging.