Well, hello there Nexus 4 wireless charger, aka the Orb. It feels good to finally have you in our hands after all these months of dealing with garbage wireless charger after garbage wireless charger. Even at your steep $59.99 price tag, we welcome you onto our desks, to be here through the rest of our life with the Nexus 4 in our pockets. Actually, assuming the next Nexus and all other phones going forward have wireless charging built in, you may be here for the long haul. Let’s talk about our initial impressions, for the readers here at Droid Life.

How It Works

Wireless charging is as simple as you would think it to be. Plug the wireless charger into a wall, set it on a flat surface, and then lay your wirelessly capable device on top of it. That’s it. With the Nexus 4 charger, you get a somewhat better experience over others, as it allows the device to lay at an angle, so you can still use the device while it charges. With others that lay flat, it’s pretty difficult to use your device.

Build

As we somewhat expected, the Orb for the Nexus 4 is built incredibly well. It really is like a mini-Nexus Q that has been cut in half. There is some weight to it, along with a non-slippery matte finish black coating. It has a rubberized face so that your device is highly unlikely to fall off of it, as it sits at an angle. Actually, it’s sticky to the touch. Depending on  your case (which it does charge through), it takes a bit of force to remove it. The bottom has a rubberized rim as well, to help keep the charger stable on your desk.

Cases

In the video below, I tested the Ringke Slim, Ringke Fusion, and official Bumper to see if the phone would charge while attached – sure enough, it does. If you have some behemoth of a case, I can’t tell you how that will work, but all of the slim cases I tested, certainly work just fine.

Other Phones

The Nexus 4 wireless charger is built to the Qi wireless charging standard, so yep, it works with other devices. I’ve got the DROID DNA attached to it as I type this and it seems to be charging just fine. The sticky rubberized face is also holding onto the device quite well. Here is a picture of the DROID DNA on it.

Price

At $59.99, the price is somewhat steep, especially since the only function of this wireless charger is to wirelessly charge your device. You can justify it somewhat if you look at competing wireless chargers like the Nokia Fatboy which also retails for around $60. I would point out that this feels like a much higher quality product than the Fatboy, though, which is essentially a pillow with a charging plate stuffed inside. Wireless charging is somewhat new, so for now you are going to pay premium prices.

Overall

If you need an wireless charger, this appears to be a great option, if not the best option. I’ve dealt with the frustrations that come with the LG flat wireless charger for so long that using the Orb is like a whole new world. The angled face, super-grippy (technical term) face, and stylish design make it a great accessory to your desk. The $59.99 price may turn some off, but that’s the price we pay right now to have the latest in technology.

Gallery

Video

Click here to view the embedded video.

Nexus 4 Wireless Charger, A Quick Look at the Orb is a post from: Droid Life

The wireless charging Orb for the Google Nexus 4 is now available through Google Play for $59.99. Originally teased during its unveiling day on October 29, the Orb has been the single accessory for this phone that we have been excited to get our hands on. While the only thing it does it wirelessly charge your phone, the design and ease of use are keys to this being a winner. Since the half-ball angles the phone ever-so-slightly, you can actually use your Nexus 4 while it’s charging, unlike on other wireless chargers.

The price comes off as being a bit steep, but that’s the current wireless charging situation.

Go get it before it sells out! Device ships in less than one week.

Play Link ($59.99)

Via:  The Verge

Cheers Tio!

Nexus 4 Wireless Charging Orb Now Available Through Google Play for $60 is a post from: Droid Life

The wireless charging Orb for the Nexus 4 that was unveiled alongside the device back on launch day, has apparently never made it outside of Google’s own campus. We have yet to see one in the wild, nor have we been able to purchase one. This shouldn’t surprise anyone, as Google and its partners tend to struggle to release accessories for these devices each year. Just look at the official Nexus 7 dock situation. We have may have signs of life, though! 

A retailer by the name Pure Mobile has a listing for the Orb, however, it’s flagged as “out of stock,” much like the dock for the Nexus 7 was for months. We’re seeing a price of $59.99, which seems a tad high for something that only charges a phone, but it’ll likely be well built.

This site doesn’t mention an “in stock” date, so we’ll have to try and remain patient.

Thoughts on the price? Most wireless chargers typically run anywhere from $40-60. The Nokia Fatboy charging pillow for example, is $59.99.

Update:  Pure Mobile is now taking pre-orders for the Orb. They are expecting stock to arrive in 2-4 weeks.

ALL ORDERS PLACED FOR THIS ITEM WILL BE PRE-ORDERS- WE ARE EXPECTING THE STOCK TO ARRIVE IN 2-4 WEEKS – (updated Jan 31st 2013)

Via:  Pure Mobile | Android Central

Nexus 4 Wireless Charging Orb Shows Up at Retailer for $60, (Update: Pre-order Now) is a post from: Droid Life

According to Norwegian retailer Dustin Home, the wireless charging Orb for the Nexus 4 could arrive in February. Having been shown off on Nexus 4 unveiling day as the coolest accessory in town, we still have yet to see it find its way into the hands of anyone outside of Google. That’s not surprising, though, Nexus accessories almost always show up months after debuting during launch. 

The Norwegian retailer is listing the orb for a price that converts to about $114, but we doubt it’ll be that expensive if/when it arrives in the States. Not that we have any knowledge of a potential price, but this thing shouldn’t cost anymore than $60.

Keep in mind that while this orb looks like something that would turn your office into fashionable icon, there are plenty of other wireless charging stations that can be had that work with the Qi wireless standard and may be much cheaper.

Via:  reddit | Android Central

Nexus 4 Wireless Charging Orb Could Arrive in February is a post from: Droid Life

Matias Duarte coming to Google to head up Android’s user interface was a huge acquisition for all us Android fanboys. Not only has he helped Android to grow up and into its own, but he has influenced many things about the OS since he arrived to help with Ice Cream Sandwich. His former job at Palm has never been more evident before today with Google’s new Charging Orb for the Nexus 4, which looks eerily similar to the Touchstone Charger.

Using the Qi charging standard, Google has created a half-orb that magnetizes to the back of the Nexus 4 for easy charging by just setting your phone on it. The new feature in Android 4.2 named “Daydream” will be activated when set on this dock and the phone will display information from Google Currents and Google Now. There has been absolutely no word on pricing or availability for this accessory but if you’re like us, you are waiting impatiently until it is announced.

Ready to move to wireless charging yet with your Nexus 4?

Via: The Verge

Google’s New Wireless ‘Charging Orb’ Might Be the Coolest Product Shown Off Today is a post from: Droid Life