News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Using a laser to wirelessly charge a smartphone safely ac... by willvarfar on Thursday February 22, 2018 @03:45AM (#16436183)
There are lightbulbs that form mesh networks using lasers. I forget the name but I recall it being on HN last year so it must be true! A quick googling finds something similar https://techcrunch.com/2015/09/14/linux-light-bulbs-allow-de...

If lightbulbs can provide wireless power to devices in the room that would be awesome and have practical applications even if it can't charge something as power-hungry as a phone very quickly.

Re:Using a laser to wirelessly charge a smartphone safely ac... by sandworm101 on Thursday February 22, 2018 @06:57AM (#16436944)
Lightbulbs already do this: solar panels work perfectly well under bulbs of many type.
Re:Using a laser to wirelessly charge a smartphone safely ac... by Yaggo on Thursday February 22, 2018 @08:45AM (#16437462)
Typical 5 watt solar panel is 25x25 cm. That 5 watt is generated under ideal conditions, i.e. in sunlight, measuring about 100 kilolux. Bright indoor lightning is 1 kilolux, i.e. the "indoor solar panel charger" would take ~6 m² (assuming ideal spectrum).
Re:Using a laser to wirelessly charge a smartphone safely ac... by varjag on Thursday February 22, 2018 @05:25AM (#16436602)
They don't use lasers.