The future isn't all flying cars and hotshot microwaves. In fact, I think I may have stumbled across something exciting and practical: charge-by-contact plates. Though companies like Splashpower have been at this game longer, WildCharge plans to push things forward with its WildCharger. The gadget can wirlelessly charge any device — laptop, cell phone, PDA, and the like — that normally demands its own specific charger and tangly cable. It does, ironically, come with its own AC power cord, but it'll be the only one you need. Simply place whatever needs juice on top of it and let induction do its thing. The charger is expected to run between $40 and $100, and if WildCharge delivers on its promise to make this available early next year, we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing we're one step closer to a truly cordless future. — Elliot Black

WildCharge, via Crunch Gear