“The pitch has always been a simple one: Place your phone down and watch it charge automatically, without the fuss of finding an outlet or connecting a power cord,” Roger Cheng writes for CNET. “The reality of wireless charging, however, has been anything but.”
“Differing technologies and incompatible standards have hindered broader adoption of wireless charging,” Cheng writes. “It was good enough to work in Oral-B electric toothbrushes in the early ’90s, yet most phones still lack the ability to charge without a power cord.”
“But 2017 appears to be the year wireless charging gets its act together,” Cheng writes. “The most obvious spark could come from Apple, which appears ready to get off the sidelines and commit to the feature in a big way by joining the Wireless Power Consortium. The rumors of the iPhone 8 getting wireless charging alone are enough to get people thinking about the feature. ‘Whoever Apple picks wins,’ said Avi Greengart, an analyst at research firm Global Data. ‘That’s the catalyst that would drive enough volume.'”
“Companies like Energous are exploring sending power over radio frequency airwaves, similar to how online connectivity gets broadcast over Wi-Fi,” Cheng writes. “In fact, Energous plans to integrate its power broadcasting capabilities into Wi-Fi routers next year.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: “Energous plans to integrate its power broadcasting capabilities into Wi-Fi routers next year.”
Things that make you go “hmmm…”
Energous’ solutions are real wireless charging and would be a huge game-changer if it came to iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Now imagine if true wireless power were to be delivered via Apple’s next-gen AirPort and, imagine further, that it also has Siri and speaker capabilities on-board, too!
Imagine an “Apple Echo” that also “magically” charges your iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches – through the air, no charging pad required (and a top-end model that backs up your devices and Macs via Time Machine, too). Want one? Want more than one?
SEE ALSO:
More evidence suggests Apple tie-up with true wireless charging firm Energous – December 21, 2016
Apple supplier Dialog partners with wireless charging company Energous – December 15, 2016
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple’s next-gen iPhone to feature all-glass case for wireless charging – November 23, 2016
Two major ‘iPhone 8’ leaks reveal groundbreaking new features – November 23, 2016
Evidence suggests Apple is working on the biggest mobile game-changer since the original iPhone – November 8, 2016
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
Sure, it will be great!
Until I stay in a hotel.
Or drive long distances in my car.
Or use a temporary office while I’m on the road.
All of which are currently handled by an inexpensive cord and cube.
Novel idea, but inductive chargers still need to be plugged in, so we really didn’t lose a cable.
It will be difficult to use the devices while they are charging.
That should be great for our health (I’m no scientist so tell me why this is safe over the long haul)
RF signals smashing protein molecules in the brain has not been proven safe.
“RF signals smashing protein molecules in my brain.”
I’ll let the Apple QA department (version 1 purchasers) and then I’ll try it after its debugged. There will not be another Apple TV 4 experience in my house. #LostFaith
I will trust RF wireless charging in homes when Hospitals deem it safe for use in their patient buildings.
I just thought ot something that may occur in apartments and townhouses, or even residences that may be closely located. How do you prevent your neighbors from ‘stealing’ your power with RF charging? I doubt they’ll have settings for ‘tuning’ your own set which could possibly cause all kinds of other interference problems if implemented.
Well for god sake let’s hope it has nothing to do with the ridiculous AirPods I can’t use them when I make a phone call (constant disconnects) only when I listen to music they are the most horrible product I’ve seen come out of Apple yet.
Really, Rob? They get rave reviews. Maybe you’re inserting them wrong… heh.
I’d forgotten about my Oral-B toothbrush. I had it for about six years and it seemed such a simple idea. Just place it into the stand after brushing and sure enough it did charge itself through induction without any connectors. I think I got rid of it after it stopped charging and replaced it with replaceable alkaline battery Braun toothbrushes.
The Oral-B was very reliable and I took it for granted that there would be many products that charged the way the Oral-B did but it never happened. Of course, it would involve a lot of specific charging stations which would be a headache. My Braun replaceable battery toothbrushes can be placed anywhere around the house and they hold a charge for a long time.