# 45: Homage to Dieter

- Show: [Thoroughly Considered](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered)
- Published: 2018-11-26
- Length: 34m
- Episode: 45
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-11-26-45-homage-to-dieter
- Listen: http://relay.fm/tc/45

## Summary

Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat announce the release of two new Qi-compatible products, the Material Dock Qi and the Material Dock Multi, designed to replace Apple's AirPower. They explain their decision to use certified U-Wei modules to ensure safety and reliability, avoiding the risks of sourcing uncertified electronics. The hosts discuss extensive testing that revealed marketing claims about fast charging speeds are largely exaggerated, with practical differences being negligible for overnight or desk charging. They also detail the industrial design choices, including 100% Merino wool felt and a ventilation pattern paying homage to Dieter Rams' Braun designs.

## Chapters

- [0:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-11-26-45-homage-to-dieter#t=32) Introduction: Studio Neat's New Qi Products
- [1:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-11-26-45-homage-to-dieter#t=97) Sourcing U-Wei Modules and Designing the Pads
- [3:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-11-26-45-homage-to-dieter#t=223) Product Layouts: Single Puck vs. Multi-Dock
- [5:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-11-26-45-homage-to-dieter#t=301) Charging Workflow and AirPods Limitations
- [9:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-11-26-45-homage-to-dieter#t=581) Testing Qi Speed Claims and Module Robustness
- [16:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-11-26-45-homage-to-dieter#t=971) Detailed Qi Speed Testing and Power Brick Recommendations
- [27:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-11-26-45-homage-to-dieter#t=1643) Materials: Merino Wool Felt and Dieter Rams Homage

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Studio Neat (company)
- Material Dock (product)
- U-Wei (company)
- Elevation Labs (company)
- AirPower (product)
- AirPods (product)
- Apple Watch (product)
- iPhone (product)
- Qi (other)
- Dieter Rams (other)
- Braun (company)
- Anker (company)
- Belkin (company)
- QC 3.0 (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [T-26-012 : Founders From The Show Floor - CES 2026](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2026-02-04-t-26-012-founders-from-the-show-floor-ces-2026) (TRADEOFFS)
- [iFixit’s Shahram Mokhtari on the hidden design of modern electronics, CES-week manufacturing headlines, and a Reconstruction of Juicero, the $700 connected juicer that defined over-engineering.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/go-no-go/2026-01-06-ifixits-shahram-mokhtari-on-the-hidden-design-of-modern-electronics-ces-week-man) (Go/No-Go)
- [Photon Rich, Cash Poor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-14-photon-rich-cash-poor) (The Amp Hour)
- [Design Reviews Are Important - Habitual Hype Hebetude](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-08-13-design-reviews-are-important-habitual-hype-hebetude) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep 330: Hover Turtles, Dull Designs, and K'nex Computers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-07-25-ep-330-hover-turtles-dull-designs-and-knex-computers) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-11-26-45-homage-to-dieter. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Thoroughly Considered.