Latest news with #wirelesscharging
Android Authority
15 hours ago
- Android Authority
Google Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) deal: We've never seen it this cheap!
Robert Triggs / Android Authority As Android fans, the Google Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) is obviously one of our favorite wireless chargers. It doesn't often go on sale, and the lowest we've seen it go for was $53.93 back in 2022! Today, it's on sale for just $43.99, making this a record-low price. Get the Google Pixel Stand 2nd Gen for just $43.99 ($35.01 off) This offer is available from eBay, but the seller is actually Best Buy. This gives us a level of confidence, as it is not just a random online seller. Google Pixel Stand Wireless Charger (2nd Gen) Google Pixel Stand Wireless Charger (2nd Gen) Much more than just fast wireless charging for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6. The Pixel Stand (2nd gen) is built to unlock your Pixel 7's Assistant capabilities while fast charging. It also wirelessly charges a wide range of other smartphones quickly too. See price at eBay Save $35.01 The Google Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) is an excellent wireless charger, especially if you use a Pixel smartphone with it. It can charge Pixel devices at up to 23W, but those speeds don't work with all devices. For example, you can charge a Pixel 9 Pro XL at 23W, but the Pixel 9 Pro speeds are reduced to 21W, and the Pixel 9 can juice up at 15W. For non-Pixel phones, the maximum charging speed is 15W. It's not the fastest charger out there, but it is pretty speedy, especially with compatible Pixel devices. Robert Triggs / Android Authority The integrated fan makes it more efficient, as it keeps your device cool while charging. This means charging will throttle less, as phones usually slow down charging when they get too hot, and wireless charging produces a lot of heat. Additionally, batteries get slowly damaged with heat, so keeping the phone cooler will extend the battery's overall life. I also happen to love its clean, minimalist design. Not to mention the fact that it doubles as a stand, offering easy access to your apps and content even while charging. It's great for desks, side tables, and so on. This is a really nice deal if you want to catch Google's best wireless charger. Make sure to act quickly, though, as this is a record-low price on a product that seems to be going away soon. Google doesn't even have it in stock anymore, so chances are retailers are getting rid of extra units.
The Verge
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Belkin's 3-in-1 Qi2 wireless charger is the cheapest it's been in months
If you're looking to declutter the cables on your desk or nightstand and keep all of your devices charged, Belkin's Qi2-ready BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 wireless charger will help you get the job done. Right now, it's on sale for $99.99 ($30 off) at Amazon in black and white color schemes. That's both its best price to date and the cheapest it has sold for in months. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 15W $12017% off $100 Belkin's triple charging stand achieves 15W MagSafe wireless iPhone charging speeds and keeps your phone and Apple Watch elevated for easy reading. This Qi2-certified charger can quickly charge MagSafe compatible iPhones, delivering up to 15W of power. What's more, it also supports fast charging for Apple Watch models starting with the Series 7 via a dedicated 5W puck. There's another 5W Qi pad at its base that's ideal for topping off a second device that supports wireless charging, like a pair of AirPods, or an Android phone. However you mix and match devices, it can charge all three pads simultaneously without compromising speed, a feature we expect from good charging stations. Beyond charging, the BoostCharge Pro also functions as a sturdy, upright stand—perfect for quickly glancing at notifications or turning your iPhone into a nightstand display. It's compatible with StandBy mode on iOS, so you can use your phone as a clock, calendar, or photo frame while it charges. Three more deals worth a look Woot is selling the Apple Pencil USB-C for just $59.99 ($20 off) through July 1st, which is one of its best prices to date. The handy stylus offers tilt sensitivity, but lacks the pressure sensitivity or wireless charging found in the pricier Apple Pencil Pro, but it still can magnetically attach to the side of most iPad models from the past three or so years. You can buy the Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station for $359.99 ($40 off) at Amazon and Anker (with code WS7DV2HJI8AT), which is a new low price on the Thunderbolt 5 dock. The powerful dock can connect everything from smartphones and laptops to dual 8K displays, boasting 14 ports in total and delivering up to 232W of combined power output. You'll also find several USB-C ports, including an upstream Thunderbolt 5 USB-C port capable of delivering up to 140W to your laptop. Rounding things out, the dock includes both SD and microSD card slots conveniently located on the side, along with HDMI, DisplayPort, an ethernet port, a headphone jack, and multiple USB-A ports. You can buy the Eufy Robot Vacuum 3-in-1 E20 for $379.99 ($270 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is its best price to date. The self-emptying robot vacuum offers 8,000Pa of suction, along with mapping, scheduling, and no-go zones. What makes it really stand out, though, is that it can convert into a stick and handheld vacuum, offering a powerful 30,000Pa of suction for a more thorough clean.
Fast Company
13-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Why Microsoft 365 Copilot is a 'game changer' for startup engineers
BY The AI assistant is invaluable to an innovative startup like FreePower. Among its more than 240 patents is a countertop wireless charger unlike any other—an invention that earned FreePower a spot on Fast Company's list of Most Innovative Companies in 2025. Pam Percy, FreePower's VP of engineering, discusses how Microsoft 365 Copilot helps her team analyze faster and save time on mundane tasks so they can focus on expanding to new markets. "
Android Authority
13-06-2025
- Android Authority
I finally found the perfect 3-in-1 chargers for my Google Pixel devices
SwanScout 708G2 3-in-1 Pixel charger The SwanScout 708G2 is the perfect compact and foldable 3-in-1 charger for Pixel fans. With a 10W main wireless charging pad for Pixels (and other phones), a 3.5W wireless pad for Pixel Buds (and other earbuds), and a Pixel Watch 2/3 (or Fitbit Versa 3/4 and Sense 1/2), it's a wire tangle-free solution to top up your gear on your bedside table or at your desk. Since the launch of the first Pixel Watch, I've been keeping my eye on Amazon, AliExpress, Etsy, and various accessory makers' sites to see if any of them would release a wireless charger that fits my Pixel phone, Watch, and Buds Pro, but it was slim pickings out there. It's just not easy to find good 3-in-1 chargers for the Pixel ecosystem, similar to the hundreds of options available for Apple's devices. For a while, the only choice was a Wasserstein unit with a fixed USB-C port that you had to slide the phone into, which, based on my experience with similar stands, was bound to either break or break my Pixel's charging port at some point. Then Google switched from wireless charging on the original Watch to the four-pin system on the Watch 2 and 3, and we were back to square zero. Accessory makers had to rethink their chargers again, which delayed the arrival of good 3-in-1 options even further. I kept my eyes open, though, and saw a few no-name options pop up here and there, but nothing looked good enough. That is, until a few months ago when I landed on SwanScout's new releases. The company makes a lot of chargers, including 3-in-1 models for Google's ecosystem, and some specifically for the Pixel Watch 2/3. Two of these caught my attention, the 708G2 and 710G2, and after using them for the past month, I can tell you they're perfect — or nearly perfect — for any Pixel lover. SwanScout 708G2 review: A compact 3-in-1 Pixel charger Rita El Khoury / Android Authority The simpler and more portable of the two chargers is the SwanScout 708G2 ($42.97 at Amazon). It's made of matte slate grey sturdy plastic with a shiny iridescent black front. That front plate is a 10W wireless charger that's good enough to top up my Pixel 9 Pro XL at night (or at a desk). Obviously, the charging speed isn't fast enough if I need a quick power boost before walking out the door, but when I have a few hours anyway, like when I'm sleeping, it's nice to prop the phone on there and not fiddle with wires. I've found that it works well for me as a bedside charger because I don't have to worry about unplugging and replugging my phone if I wake up at night or someone calls me early in the morning. Does the SwanScout 708G2 charge the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold? Yes, SwanScout ships a small silicone pad that elevates the Pixel 9 Pro Fold on the stand so that its wireless coil aligns with the 708G2's charging pad. It works well in my testing. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority The main wireless plate lifts to become a free-adjusting stand and reveal a secondary, smaller 3.5W wireless pad for earbuds, which has worked well for my Nothing Ear and Pixel Buds Pro and Pro 2 whenever they needed a quick boost. And finally, there's a third element that flips from behind the main pad, rotates, and reveals a 2.5W Pixel Watch 2/3 (or Fitbit Versa 3/4 and Sense 1/2) charger with the famous four POGO pins. My first experience with the watch element wasn't the best because I missed the fact that it doesn't just flip, but also rotates to a horizontal position. I'd kept it in the diagonal position (left pic below), so my Pixel Watch 3 would attach magnetically, but it wouldn't charge every time, and it felt finicky and unstable. Sometimes, charging would immediately start when I put the watch on it; other times, I had to lift and drop my Watch 3 several times to get the charging animation to show up. And when I didn't pay attention, I happened to walk away a few times and leave the watch for an hour without getting a single percent of charge. Yikes. After reaching out to SwanScout to ask what's up, they reminded me to make sure I rotate the charger to its horizontal position (right pic above), which ensures the watch stays still. D'oh. The company also explained that because of the slim design and the need for this charger to tuck away behind the main wireless pad, it had to use slightly shorter metallic pins, which is why they don't work just as well when the watch isn't perfectly aligned with them. This also explains the need to give it a good head start by opting for the horizontal position. Ever since I rotated the watch charging pad to a more horizontal position, I haven't had any charging mishaps with my Watch 3. I top it up daily while I get ready, and it's full when I take it off the charger. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Beyond the fact that it's a good 3-in-1 charger that supports all my Pixel gear, what I really like about the SwanScout 708G2 is how neat it looks on my bedside table. I've moved from a loose USB-C cable to charge my phone — and occasionally my buds — and a messy Pixel Watch 3 charger that always makes the watch fall on its screen (if you know, you know) to a single unit and no loose wires. Only one USB-C cable plugs into the back of this charger. This 3-in-1 charger can flip and fold to become a more compact 2-in-1 charger or a simple charging pad. Better yet, I can make this as compact as I want, dropping the main pad to transform it into a flatter charging mat, or even collapsing the watch charger to become a single and straightforward wireless charger. This has made it perfect for travel and sleepovers, too, instead of carrying and leaving multiple chargers and wires on my hotel's or host's bedside table. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority To be honest, though, I'm looking forward to future iterations of these chargers, as SwanScout learns to miniaturize the tech further and opts for more streamlined designs. I've seen some excellent travel-friendly 3-in-1 Apple chargers, like Anker's MagGo UFO 3-in-1 ($89.99 on Amazon), Belkin's 3-in-1 Qi2 travel pad ($134.99 on Amazon), or Mophie's 3-in-1 travel charger v2 ($149.95 on Amazon), and the SwanScout 802G2 looks huge and clunky in comparison. To be fair, it's more meant as a desk charger than a portable one, and it is significantly cheaper, but it doesn't mean the company gets a blank pass. It should look for more ways to either make this more compact or make a different model specifically for travel. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority If you ask me, the first thing I would take out is the unnecessary clock display at the bottom, which bulges out of the unit. Pixel phones, and most modern phones, have an always-on display that can show the clock even when the phone screen is off, so having an extra clock here is a redundant waste. At least you can dim it or completely turn it off, which is what I did. On the upside, I do like the three green indicators that confirm I'm actively charging a phone, a watch, and a pair of buds. But they're so faint that it's impossible to tell which is which. So, SwanScout, take out the unnecessary clock and the three buttons to set it up, keep the indicators and make them more visible, and see about creating a more travel-friendly version of this charger, and you'll have a perfect unit that I'd recommend with my eyes closed. With the Pixel 10 series also rumored to get Qi2, faster wireless charging on the central pad is another must-have. It doesn't necessarily have to be magnetic, but I wouldn't say no to that. As it stands, though, and at a very realistic retail price of $42.97, often discounted with extra coupons, the SwanScout 708G2 ticks many boxes for Pixel fans like me who own the Watch 2 or 3 and want a more streamlined charging setup for all their gear. SwanScout 708G2 3-in-1 Pixel charger 3-in-1 wireless charger • Pixel Watch 2 and 3 compatibility • Small, collapsible design MSRP: $42.99 A compact and convenient 3-in-1 charger for the Pixel ecosystem. The SwanScout 708G2 is the perfect compact and foldable 3-in-1 charger for Pixel fans. With a 10W main wireless charging pad for Pixels (and other phones), a 3.5W wireless pad for Pixel Buds (and other earbuds), and a Pixel Watch 2/3 (or Fitbit Versa 3/4 and Sense 1/2), it's a wire tangle-free solution to top up your gear on your bedside table or at your desk. See price at Amazon Positives Compact, foldable design Compact, foldable design Usable in stand or flat mode Usable in stand or flat mode Pixel Watch 2 and 3 compatibility Pixel Watch 2 and 3 compatibility Nice design and solid build quality Cons Charging speeds could be a bit faster Charging speeds could be a bit faster Watch charger is slightly finicky SwanScout 710G2 review: A more versatile 3-in-1 Pixel charger Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Moving on to the SwanScout 710G2 ($45.95 at Amazon), this is a larger and more powerful 3-in-1 wireless charger for the Pixel ecosystem. The unit is matte black from the front, white on the back, and you'll immediately notice the biggest difference here: two large wireless pads instead of a large one and a smaller one. Both have a 10W output, so they can top up two Pixels (or any two other phones with wireless charging) at the same time. This makes the unit much more versatile and more suited for shared rooms instead of bedside tables or personal desks. I'm using mine in the kitchen now, where both my husband and I can plop our phones to charge when needed. Once again, not fiddling with wires when my phone rings while I'm chopping onions or wearing oven mittens is a huge perk. And the stand aspect is nice to keep the phone propped up while we video chat with our parents and friends. Does the SwanScout 710G2 charge the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold? Yes and no. The original 710G2 can charge the Pixel 9 Pro Fold if you flatten out the mat and perfectly align the foldable with the coils, but in stand mode, they don't align well. SwanScout does make a special version for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold: the 710FG2 ($45.99 on Amazon). The 2.5W watch charger props up from the back, and there's no fiddling here. It just locks horizontally, and I haven't had any issues using it with my Pixel Watch 3 besides always trying to figure out which direction to place it in (crown inward, in case you're wondering). Once the magnets align, though, it locks in and tops up my Watch 3 or my husband's Versa 2 when needed. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority The entire stand folds flat, but the feature is not optional in the 710G2's case because it's essential to charge wireless buds. Due to their small size, most buds like my Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Nothing Ear weren't tall enough when standing to reach the bottom charging coil on the mat and wouldn't top up. But once I folded it flat, I was able to align my buds perfectly with the coil and they instantly started charging. Dual phone support means both my husband and I can charge our phones at the same time in the kitchen or living room. This feels like a bit of a compromise on the 3-in-1's usability, since you can only charge your phone with your buds when it's flat, not your watch, but it's not something I've needed in the last month or so. When you consider that earbuds don't need daily top-ups and that this is a charger meant for communal areas more than personal spaces, you understand why. In my kitchen, I have more need to charge two phones and a watch than a phone, a watch, and a pair of buds. (The latter are often topped up at our desks because that's where we use them.) While that design quirk is not a dealbreaker for me, there are two other changes I'd love to see in future iterations of the SwanScout 710G2. For one, the clock display is not needed for the same reason I mentioned with the 708G2. I'd rather have a small flip-up plastic that holds the phones in stand mode and folds flat in pad mode. The charging indicators are nice, but once again, I'd rather the symbols were easier to read. And finally, I'm really not a fan of the USB-C cable sticking out from the side in stand mode. It just ruins the charger's aesthetic and forces me to leave several empty inches next to it, so I can't put it up next to a wall for example. The USB-C port's position is essential for flat-pad use, though, so I wish SwanScout offered two port options. One at the back when the charger is standing, one at the side or top when it's lying down. That'd be more versatile. And finally, I really wish the next version evolves with the Pixel 10 series and offers faster wireless charging, potentially with some magnets to help align phones better, even if I didn't have any trouble aligning my phones on the stand. Despite coming with a 30W USB-C charger out of the box (unlike the 708G2, which doesn't have any), and offering a faster second pad, the SwanScout 710G2 is surprisingly just as affordable as the 708G2. I'd gladly pay $45.95 for the convenience of having a wireless charger in my kitchen or living room that looks nice and is this versatile, but there are often coupons and discounts that drop the price lower. If I had to choose one of these, I think the SwanScout 710G2 is the more interesting proposition, especially since it has the charger out of the box and can handle two phones simultaneously. The 708G2 is better if you live by yourself or want a bedside charger with a more compact footprint. SwanScout 710G2 3-in-1 Pixel charger 3-in-1 wireless charger • Pixel Watch 2 and 3 compatibility • Two large wireless pads MSRP: $45.95 A versatile 3-in-1 charger for Pixel fans. The SwanScout 710G2 is a large dual-wireless pad charger for your Pixel gear. See price at Amazon Positives Two full charging pads for phones Two full charging pads for phones Pixel Watch 2 and 3 compatibility Pixel Watch 2 and 3 compatibility Folds flat to allow earbud charging Folds flat to allow earbud charging Cool two-tone design and solid build quality Cool two-tone design and solid build quality 30W USB-C charger in the box Cons When flat to charge earbuds, you can't also charge a watch When flat to charge earbuds, you can't also charge a watch USB-C cable sticks out from the side USB-C cable sticks out from the side Charging speeds could be faster.
Android Authority
12-06-2025
- Android Authority
Google Pixel 10 may fail to live up to our MagSafe dreams, after all
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Google is preparing a range of 'Pixelsnap' accessories for the Pixel 10 that support wireless charging. Despite Qi2 support, the phone may require the use of a case to add the magnets needed for alignment. In addition to Google's own accessories, look for a range of similar Made by Google solutions from third parties. What is so hard about giving Android users what they want? When it comes to wirelessly charging our phones, we're not asking for that much: just some proper MagSafe-style Qi2 charging with integrated magnets. And with our discovery earlier this week of Google's work towards a new line of 'Pixelsnap' accessories, we were getting cautiously optimistic that the Pixel 10 series might just be the phones to do it, supporting Qi2 magnetic attachment right out of the box. Sadly, that dream may already be over, as a new report emerges to dash our hopes. A frustratingly recurring motif for wireless charging on Android phones has been the absence of magnets required for securely attaching Qi2 chargers with perfect alignment when it comes to phones themselves. Instead, manufacturers like Samsung have required users to pick up a case for their phone with these magnets, and while that works in a pinch, it's far less convenient than having that support baked-in. Following our publication of Google's Pixelsnap plans, Android Headlines shares its own report that attempts to confirm Google's development of a series of Qi2 accessories. But the site also adds one important detail: Google will put magnets in its cases. If true, that strongly implies that the phones themselves would not have magnets of their own. And while that wouldn't be at all surprising, given the sorry state of Android Qi2 support, it's nonetheless disappointing. Beyond that frustrating development, Android Headlines reports some new information on some more of Google's Pixel 10 accessory strategy. In addition to Pixelsnap accessories, we'll be seeing the regular assortment of 'Made for Google' options from third parties, with many also supporting Qi2 and seeing sales through the Google Store. The site claims Google's Pixelsnap Charger will look much like Apple's own MagSafe Charger, and that the Pixelsnap Charger with Stand will resemble the old Pixel Stand 2. So far, though, we've yet to see imagery of either. Finally, Google's reportedly working on a new dual-port USB-C charger with 45W output support. Whether or not any Pixel 10 phones will actually support charging that fast remains to be seen. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
