“Marty Cooper, who built the first handheld cell phone, says his invention has a glaring flaw: You have to keep charging its battery,” David Goldman reports for CNNMoney. “‘Keeping your phone charger around is a real annoyance,’ Cooper told CNNMoney in an interview. ‘And I think it’s going to be an increasing problem.’ Ensuring that your phone doesn’t run out of juice is enough of a pain. But imagine the not-too-distant future when our bodies are covered with different connected devices — watches, glasses and clothing — all of which will need to be charged. ‘You won’t want to take all them off and plug them in,’ Cooper said. ‘That’s why they ought to be charging all the time.'”
“Cooper believes that the winning technology will come from Energous, which wants to charge your cell phone using radio frequencies. Cooper sits on Energous’ board,” Goldman reports. “Energous (WATT) will announce Monday morning that it has received FCC approval for its miniature transmitter, which can power specially equipped gadgets. The Miniature WattUp transmitter can power hearing aids, medical devices and other tiny wireless devices. There are limitations to the technology that the FCC approved: It only includes very small gadgets that have embedded chips that are compatible with Energous’ technology. And those gadgets need to be in direct contact with the Miniature WattUp transmitter. But it’s also a significant milestone.”
“FCC clearance is just one hurdle. Getting manufacturers to adopt and include the technology in their products is another big one. Energous has had some early success, but it’s a long way from being able to charge every mobile device you own,” Goldman reports. “Even if Energous can get its technology inside consumer gadgets, the transmitters that charge them will also need to be widely deployed for the technology to be useful.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: A tiny step on a long, complex journey.
SEE ALSO:
Apple possibly working with Energous on extended range wireless charging for future iPhones – February 5, 2016
Apple developing cutting-edge long-range wirelessly-charged iPhones and iPads – January 29, 2016
iPhone 7 and the potential for wireless charging – January 19, 2016
Apple will drop headphone jack to make the iPhone 7 super slim, source confirms; wireless charging and waterproof, too – January 7, 2016
Apple looks to patent inductive charging system that could power an Apple Pencil or even a future kitchen appliance – January 7, 2016
Apple files 5th wireless inductive charging patent application since Late September – November 5, 2015\
Apple patent application reveals iPhone inductive charging sans extra hardware – October 8, 2015
Patent application reveals Apple working on wireless charging systems focused on rapid power delivery – August 27, 2015
Apple invents inductive charging interfaces for mobile devices – April 2, 2015
Apple ‘iPhone 7’ models likely to offer wireless charging – April 2, 2015
