Yesterday, Bloomberg reported Apple is now testing long-range induction charging solutions for the iPhone, and that the technology could make it into new phones as early as 2017.
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Apple has been in discussions with partners in the U.S. and Asia to develop the technology, which could be in iPhones by 2017, the news service said. The report says Apple is still analyzing this technology and is unsure on how they will implement this feature.
Though not revolutionary, the technology could give Apple an extra edge to help it stay competitive with rivals like Samsung that have already released devices with wireless charging capabilities. But Apple has been on the sidelines… so far. Unfortunately, there has no mention in the report of either how this new technology will work or at what distance the charging will be possible. If Apple can find a way to allow users to charge their iOS devices more conveniently, it could result in a very compelling new feature.
This isn’t the first time, Apple is considering wireless charging. True, there’s no wire running between your phone and a charging mat, so it’s technically wireless, but your device is still anchored to a fixed location. That poses a challenge because efficiency decreases with distance, so it takes longer to charge a battery.
Until then, the best way to wireless charge an iPhone is probably to slap the phone in a wireless charging case.
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Another Apple patent outlined a method for making aluminum phone casings that allow radio waves to pass through, a technique that would minimize the problem of metal interfering with transmitted signals. Speaking at a recent earnings call, CEO Jason Rhode hinted that he’s working with one of the firm’s biggest clients to introduce the technology.
