Wireless charging is set to truly hit the mainstream with the iPhone 8, but a startup named Pi wants to further extend the reach of the technology-- specifically by 30cm, through the imaginatively named Pi Charger.

As debuted at the TechCrunch Disrupt Battlefield event, the Pi Charger is a conical device able to charge multiple devices within around 30cm in any direction. It is not a full-room wireless charging offering, the the maker promises it actually works, and does so without need to put devices on a charging pad.

The technology behind the Pi Charger is resonant induction, the same used by the Qi standard found in the new iPhones. It is paired with a special beam forming algorithm allowing Pi to shape and direct the magnetic fields around the device. This allows users to charge a smartphone by putting it next to the charger, as opposed to directly on it.

Covid announces a pair of HDMI 2.0 cables-- the P-HDFH-DC2 Active Optical cable and the premium HDPR, both offering HDMI HDR support up to 18Gbps together with 4K@60Hz resolution and colour.

The P-HDFH-DC2 Active Optical cable is a plenum-rated, flexible cable with a 5mm bend radius. It is constructed using fibre optics, and as such can be offered in much longer lengths than standard copper HDMI cables. It also has detachable connectors, allowing installers to easily pull in the cable in tight spaces or through conduits.

Media Solutions proposes a solution for the compatibility issues involved with HDBaseT-- the MS-TestPro, a handheld HDBaseT testing tool complete with a systems certification mode.

The MS-TestPro allows for field testing fo HDBaseT communications systems and cabling. It features a built-in HDMI pattern generator, link monitoring, logging and link diagnostics capabilities, allowing for quick and accurate configuration analysis and troubleshooting of all HDBaseT ports and signals. It means installers can ensure consistent AV signal quality and guarantee interoperability with any HDBaseT device before completing installation.

The device consists of 4 parts-- the tester itself, a transmitter module, receiver module and remote unity adapter. Users can set source compatibility, display ability to accept HDBaseT, and either side of the cabling, allowing them to quickly isolate which part of the system is causing signal interoperability.

Wire and cable preparation, installation, hand termination and testing solution specialist Platinum Tools launches four ezEX-RJ45 termination kits, all organised inside a heavy-duty nylon zippered case.

The first kit is the EXO ezEX-RJ45 (P/N 90140). It includes electrician scissors, cable jacket stripper, EXO Crimp Frame, EXO-EX DIE and 10 ezEX44 connectors, and provides an ideal mix of tools for both new and experienced installers. Meanwhile the EXO EZ-RJ45 kit (P/N 90141) includes electrician scissors, cable jacket stripper, EXO Crimp Frame, EZ-RJ45 Die and 10 EZ-RJ45 CAT5E connectors, and is designed to "allow the user to prepare and terminate with precision and speed."

The ezEX-RJ45 kit (P/N 90148) includes all termination, preparation and test tools required to properly terminate ezEX44 connectors with precision and speed in the field. The final kit is the EXO Deluxe (P/N 90149), which packs all termination, preparation and test tools needed to terminate EZ-RJ45, ezEX44 and ezEX48 connectors.