Cable-free future: Why your smartphone charger may soon be obsolete

Notice this wireless charging pad has no cables coming out of it? Companies like Wi-Charge say radiation from their devices for remotely powering smartphones and other gadgets is completely harmless. — dpa

To charge your smartphone, you still need to have some kind of cable running power to it from an electrical socket. But several companies have touted the possibility that over-the-air charging will soon render chargers obsolete.

Start-ups like Guru and Wi-Charge have been busy showing off prototype devices that can transmit electricity entirely without wires.