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Apple Exploring Wireless Charging for iPhone as Early as 2013?
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it's not really convenient tho. you can't use the phone when it's on the orb. I am constantly using my iPhone and I have the 6 foot iPad charger that I plug it into. So when I'm watching tv i'm plugged in and can still use my phone. Wireless charging where it sits on a base is pretty pointless as you can't make use of the device while it's charging.
Now wireless charging like how wifi works with a lot of distance....then that would be awesome.
I have the wireless charger for the Nexus 4. It works well, even through a case. It's an added convenience factor. There's no need to look for your phone cable that may have fallen behind the desk or nightstand. You just place your phone down as if you're putting it on your table.
I'm surprised apple hasn't come out with one yet. It's pretty cool.
I'm surprised apple hasn't come out with one yet. It's pretty cool.
Yes, let's build wireless charging into the phone itself because *nobody* puts a case on the phone.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
- Not true if Apple implimented something like WiTricity where it charges across a distance
- True, but as long as it can charge to 100% within like 6 hours that wouldn't really affect me. And you can always still plug it in when you need a quicker charge
- Pretty much saying the same thing a different way aren't you? Unless you are trying to get at that your electricity bill will be higher... but that is so minor that I don't think it's worth bringing it up
- This is true. But not everyone is going to need/want every single feature. Apple can't just stop adding features because they are afraid it takes away from other features.
Honestly, I'm not a huge proponent of adding this either unless it uses some sort of distance charging. Setting my phone on a pad doesn't seem like it solves that much of a problem
Maybe if it was charging when you put it down, you wouldn't have to charge it when you pick it up.
This is already exists... charging "hotspots" or near-field, so that you can walk around and say, talk on the phone. It's just still immature and slow to charge, etc.
Most of the Qi standard chargers today are 'low power' 0-5 watts and require physical contact with a charging plate... the near-field tech (today) may not be so great for some devices due to slow charging, but it would work well with very lower power devices, and it odd situations such as inside cars (very convenient).
my phone goes with me everywhere. when i get emails and texts for work I reply to them. So i'm constantly using my phone. You can't wirelessly charge the phone and text or make calls when it's sitting on this pad. sure it's a cool feature for at night when you're sleeping. but it's nothing that is revolutionary as you have to still be so connected to this base.
Wireless anything is less efficient. But more convenient. Why have a mobile phone at all? Land lines are more efficient.
Those who say "I don't need wireless changing; the cable is fine with me" can join those who say "I don't need a mobile phone; my home telephone is enough."
I say this as someone who isn't sure he needs wireless charging.
IMHO, the charging mat will be an extra that needs to be bought separate from the phone, the lightning cable that comes with the phone will plug into the mat, in turn it will then be plugged into the wall using the plug/USB attachment that came with the phone.
On the go/holiday etc, the mat doesn't need to be taken so will not add bulk as some suggest. I would buy one, maybe even two, I would have it by my nightstand and just lay my phone on it overnight, the second I would have in my office. Those that think it's a bad idea need never pay for the mat.
It's all down to convenience, imagine not having central locking on your car and have to use a key to lock/unlock it? Only takes as long as plugging/unplugging in a charging cable to ones phone, a couple of seconds at most, but I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that it was pointless because it only takes a second or two.
On the go/holiday etc, the mat doesn't need to be taken so will not add bulk as some suggest. I would buy one, maybe even two, I would have it by my nightstand and just lay my phone on it overnight, the second I would have in my office. Those that think it's a bad idea need never pay for the mat.
It's all down to convenience, imagine not having central locking on your car and have to use a key to lock/unlock it? Only takes as long as plugging/unplugging in a charging cable to ones phone, a couple of seconds at most, but I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that it was pointless because it only takes a second or two.
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+1 Holding the phone while it charges is typically what I do at the end of the night when my battery is almost gone.
Also, anything that reduces efficiency should not be considered. With the amount of energy this world wastes, we should be doing everything in our power (no pun intended) to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
The magic in the idea is this: if Apple implements it as a standard feature, compatible charging mats will pop up just about everywhere we might go (much like wifi seems to be almost everywhere). Instead of lugging cables & bricks, we will eventually be able to leave those at home and still keep our future iDevices charged. That is a big benefit when you need one kind of brick & cable for iDevices, another for Macs, still others for any other hardware you might have to take along when away from home.
AND, it's not an either-or innovation. Those happy with using a cable for charging can still use a cable for charging. You don't have to buy a charging mat nor carry along a charging mat wherever you go (carry the brick & cable instead if it makes you happy).
It won't add any more weight or size to an iPhone than it does to competitor phones that already have it. Are they all significantly heavier than iPhone? Are they all significantly larger than iPhone? You know Apple, they don't like to make things thicker or heavier, so their implementation of such features will likely make such implied disadvantages purely false speculation.
As someone who travels a fair amount of the time, I look forward to the day when I could opt to leave the brick & cable at home but know that my technology can keep a charge. It's much like not having to stow cans of gas in the trunk because I know there will likely be gas stations wherever I drive. I just spent several hours at an airport and noticed people sitting on dirty floors in inconvenient places because that's where the only available outlets could be found. Imagine rows of charging mats where everyone could get a charge without hunting for a precious outlet. Imagine a charging mat in your hotel room... any hotel room. Imagine charging mats on restaurant tables... in meeting rooms... at convention centers... etc... all as convenient as wifi vs. having to seek out a precious few outlet(s) when in a pinch for some juice.
AND, it's not an either-or innovation. Those happy with using a cable for charging can still use a cable for charging. You don't have to buy a charging mat nor carry along a charging mat wherever you go (carry the brick & cable instead if it makes you happy).
It won't add any more weight or size to an iPhone than it does to competitor phones that already have it. Are they all significantly heavier than iPhone? Are they all significantly larger than iPhone? You know Apple, they don't like to make things thicker or heavier, so their implementation of such features will likely make such implied disadvantages purely false speculation.
As someone who travels a fair amount of the time, I look forward to the day when I could opt to leave the brick & cable at home but know that my technology can keep a charge. It's much like not having to stow cans of gas in the trunk because I know there will likely be gas stations wherever I drive. I just spent several hours at an airport and noticed people sitting on dirty floors in inconvenient places because that's where the only available outlets could be found. Imagine rows of charging mats where everyone could get a charge without hunting for a precious outlet. Imagine a charging mat in your hotel room... any hotel room. Imagine charging mats on restaurant tables... in meeting rooms... at convention centers... etc... all as convenient as wifi vs. having to seek out a precious few outlet(s) when in a pinch for some juice.
Sure, and since it's 2013 technology hasn't advanced to the point where case manufactures can figure out how to integrate the feature like they did when they knocked off smart covers.
Also many inductive charging systems can work though any case. A great example is the Philips Sonicare toothbrush. The inductive charging contacts are hidden inside the toothbrushes plastic bottom.
So many tech closed minded people here it amazes me. It's like they not only can they not think outside the box they can't even figure out how to up the lid to peek out of it.
Kind of a weak argument. Clearly you have to compare the inefficiency to convenience gained.
Cell phone. Benefit: take my phone ANYWHERE I WANT.
Wireless charging. Benefit: Saves me two seconds of having to plug a cord into my phone.
Just think of all the toxic battery chemicals we could eliminate if we got rid of laptops and cell phones!
All kidding aside, I would be open to a wireless charging solution, especially a car solution. I have a cradle on my dash that I can drop the phone into, but it takes that extra few seconds to plug in the charging cable. Then for security, every time I park I need to take it all down again, and put it back the next time I start the car. Being able to save a step there would be highly convenient.
Oh well. Too bad it won't help you. But for some of us it works great. And it will work even better when these little plates start showing up in cars, restaurants, hotel rooms, and other likely places people put their phone down.
I think one advantage would be less space for a connector, which would allow for a larger battery, speakers, etc.
At some point in the future, if the plug is gone altogether, you can wirelessly connect for data and for power, it would be the best case. I think this is where Apple and everyone is headed for that matter. It's just still a few years off I think.
While I see this as good news. It's a sign of Apples lapse from once being the leader to now being the follower.
Sad, yet they brought it on themselves. Greed kicked in and they've squandered the last two years.
Sad, yet they brought it on themselves. Greed kicked in and they've squandered the last two years.
I bought a wireless mouse once. Stupidest thing I ever did. You still had to have the base plugged in and near the actual mouse. Same thing with wireless charging. I've got plenty of docks and usb cables. Don't need another $100 accessory to do the same thing.
are u telling me its a lot of work to plug in a cable that fits even both ways ^^ at least u can somewhat use it and it keeps charging with a cable. and like u said .. u still have to walk to the socket to charge it.
call me when it charges as soon as u r in the same room even if its in ur pocket ^^
as of right now its just like having a "wireless" router but using the ethernetcable ^^