ST-Ericsson's Powerhub promises faster charging for tablets

REDUCED CHARGING TIME is the promise of power management technology from ST-Ericsson that it calls Powerhub, and the company expects it to be used by tablets in the third quarter.

ST-Ericsson's PM2300 is a 3Amp charger that can halve charging time, unlike today's 1.5Amp chargers, the Swiss company claims. ST-Ericsson explains that to achieve its super fast charging the PM2300 uses a dual DC/DC structure made up of two small coils, rather than one large coil. The firm also says its charger allows devices to be used while they are being charged, but we here at The INQUIRER think that's probably possible already.

The Swiss firm also told The INQUIRER that "energy harvesting" charging products are on their way this year. "We will have products that harvest energy from solar power, physical movement and wireless charging," a ST-Ericsson spokesperson said.

The company also claims that its chargers will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but somehow we think that having a 3Amp charger, which basically means it can suck down more electricity from the power grid faster, will just result in more energy consumption, not less. µ