Case-Mate Hug protects and charges an iPhone wirelessly

The lithium-ion battery on the iPhone 3GS promises a good amount of talk and Internet usage time on the 3G network at about five hours on a single charge.

But if you have too many cords around your desk or you're out on the road, you could try getting an extra power-up from the wireless Case-Mate Hug.

The Case-Mate Hug includes an aluminum-shaded, form-fitting iPhone case and a charging pad, where the case is placed to receive power via magnetic strips. Of course, it's not entirely wireless as the user must connect the charging pad to a standard AC power source.

The eco-aspect of the Hug is that it features "smart charge" technology, meaning that it will only charge the phone's battery until it's 100% full, then halting the power transfer from its electric source.

It's a nice concept, but it certainly wouldn't work as a full-time case for the iPhone. It's not terribly bulky (at least not based on the promo video), but I can't imagine slipping that in my pockets that easily. Maybe just in my coat. It's also something I wouldn't want to drop or get damaged, as it costs $100. Not exactly a cheap accessory.

While it seems like a nice way to have an extra charging method without all the tangled wires, it doesn't seem worth it - not at that price.