In that world, one could also wirelessly charge a phone set on a car's dashboard or armrest while it plays music through the speakers, and never have to search for the one open electrical outlet at the coffee shop or airport.

That world may not be too far off for the masses of smartphone, tablet and other mobile device users.

With the launch of the Windows Phone 8-based last week, embedded wireless charging is hitting the U.S. mainstream.

The built-in wireless charging capabilities offered in the Nokia 920 doesn't require that widgets be plugged into the USB port of a smartphone in order to charge it from a magnetic induction power pad. That's the typical wireless charging process today.

The Lumia 920 only has to be laid on a power pad to be charged.