Long-distance wireless charging could help Apple compete in a market that CEOTim Cook described this week as “bleak” and beset by “extreme conditions”, CNET noted. A new report suggests that it’s building a new wireless charging technology that wouldn’t require direct contact with a power mat.
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The biggest problems with the technology are that, despite ongoing advancements, your phone and charger still need to be very close together to work, and wireless charging isn’t very efficient compared to a good old wire.
It’s never too early to start speculating about the new iPhone, and rumor has it that Apple could start integrating wireless charging into new iPhones as early as 2017.
According to sources within Apple, the company is putting a lot of effort into making sure that its tech to be released in 2017 will keep up with the Jones’ and include wireless charging capabilities. The tech giant uses a similar technique, known as induction, to wirelessly charge the Apple Watch.
IHS Technology analyst David Green cautioned Friday that we don’t really know whether Apple is going to embrace this more novel approach.
“It remains to be seen which option Apple could be looking at for the iPhone, regardless of whether they will go for industry-standard certified or a proprietary solution”, he noted. The new technology would allow iPhones and iPads to be powered from further away than the charging mats used now for cordless charging of smartphones, the report said.
Needless to say, this technology is apparently going to be a step ahead of the charging mats that we already know of and right now Apple is considering ways to minimize the loss of power during transmission.
If Apple does add wireless charging, it’s unlikely to remove the traditional power cord as this will still be required for connecting to a Macbook or PC.
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The more distance between the device and the charging plate, the longer the device takes to recharge.
