Apple Hires Pair of Engineers From Wireless Charging Startup uBeam

[NT1440]

I agree with you on the hiring, you're right.
But it's weird to compare natural Earth magnetic field to artifical ones.

Why? If a technologies magnetic field doesn't come close to the strength of the Earth's I don't see why it would be a big deal for humans.

Animals, however, often have cells in their bodies that use magnetic fields for navigation. If 10 years from now we're shooting energy around everywhere we may end up having a massive effect on migratory species (and probably a hell of a lot of pet dogs as well).

 

[1Zach1]

Can't wait. If Apple were able to put 1m wireless charging, edge to edge display, integrated TouchID and software home button in the 2017 iPhone it would be killer.

 

[urmaster]

I really don't understand why everyone gets all excited about this. How difficult is it to plug in a cable?! The complexity and risks involved in wireless charging just don't add up to the perceived benefits, IMO.

Its the potential this tech and others of a similar spirit can bring. The potential is for your battey operated device to passivly charge itself via ambient energy rather than the user activly plugging it into the charger.

 

[AsherN]

The current version of "wireless" charging is a joke. Having to put my phone on a mat that is wired to a wall is not wireless IMO. Now, if I walked in to my house and my phone started charging without interaction from me, that would be wireless.

The emitter still needs to be plugged in somewhere. Current (Qi) wireless charging is slow and the device is in contact with the charger. The amount of power required to charge from a distance would be large. And we're not talking about very large distances, likely less than 1m. Which is great in a car or your watch if you want to wear it while sleeping. But less useful for the phone.

Even current tech is useful. I had a Nexus 5 for a few years. Had a Qi charger on my night table that stood the phone almost upright. Came home, put the phone on it. No fumbling with cables. No damaging a connector. Plus the phone went into a screen saver type display that displayed the clock when charging. So it turned into a bed side alarm just by placing it in a cradle.

The breakthrough tech would be to utilize 2.4Ghz energy. Then you have charging capabilities everywhere there is a WiFi or cordless phone signal.

 

[jamezr]

uBeam... hmm

{sniff} Kinda smells like {sniff, sniff}... like {sniff)... like GT Advance I could be wrong through.

More importantly, I have concerns about the affects of extended wireless charging on other electronics in the charging zone. May be nothing, but I have yet to see an info addressing the issue.

What is concerning is they have no public POC.......their concept is just theory right now. Former engineer says it doesn't work. I know he is a former employee but still it casts a shadow. Then what are the longterm health ramifications of being in the charging zone?

Last week a former engineer from the much hyped wireless charging startup uBeam left some scathing criticism of the company on his blog. He compared uBeam to the now disgraced startup Theranos, saying that uBeam has avoided any full-fledged public demonstrations because its technology doesn't work as advertised. While it can do some very limited charging over a short distance, he allowed, the basic laws of physics prevent the product from being practical at any commercial level.

 

[kyleh22]

The emitter still needs to be plugged in somewhere. Current (Qi) wireless charging is slow and the device is in contact with the charger. The amount of power required to charge from a distance would be large. And we're not talking about very large distances, likely less than 1m. Which is great in a car or your watch if you want to wear it while sleeping. But less useful for the phone.

Even current tech is useful. I had a Nexus 5 for a few years. Had a Qi charger on my night table that stood the phone almost upright. Came home, put the phone on it. No fumbling with cables. No damaging a connector. Plus the phone went into a screen saver type display that displayed the clock when charging. So it turned into a bed side alarm just by placing it in a cradle.

The breakthrough tech would be to utilize 2.4Ghz energy. Then you have charging capabilities everywhere there is a WiFi or cordless phone signal.

I agree with the 2.4ghz being a breakthrough. As far as the Qi charger goes - I'm not seeing the benefit over a standard magsafe like connector.

 

[admob71]

Stupid mats are not really wireless charging, this is.

So , as you say, a charging pad where the phone just sits on, and creates a wireless connection to it. You seem to have trouble understanding what wireless means. Anyways, this is stupid. Explain how.
My phone is used all day at the desk, when I end a call I just place it on the pad, superfast charging as well. No wires, no fuss. Stupid is not a word I'd use... Unless I was bitter Apple didn't have it first and just wanted to trash talk the competition..
[doublepost=1463580900][/doublepost]

Apple wireless charging MUST have some range to it, at least a meter. Sit down at my desk and my phone starts charging while still in my pocket because of the charging unit by my desk. Go to sleep while wearing my Apple Watch and it starts charging because of the charger unit by my bed. And in my car, the phone could charge wirelessly while simultaneously using wireless CarPlay. No need to plug anything in anywhere is the Apple way.

What charges the charger? Doh..
[doublepost=1463581082][/doublepost]Plus, every seen where folk who live next to electric sub stations seem to have higher cancer rates. Would you want electricity flying thru your privates?

 

[Mactendo]

Why? If a technologies magnetic field doesn't come close to the strength of the Earth's I don't see why it would be a big deal for humans.

Animals, however, often have cells in their bodies that use magnetic fields for navigation. If 10 years from now we're shooting energy around everywhere we may end up having a massive effect on migratory species (and probably a hell of a lot of pet dogs as well).

Constant exposure even to weaker fields is linked to increased risk of cancer.

If you're going to shoot such energy around everywhere so that it will affect birds navigation then I'd care for the humans in this case and less for the birds.

 

[agentx]

Apple wireless charging MUST have some range to it, at least a meter. Sit down at my desk and my phone starts charging while still in my pocket because of the charging unit by my desk. Go to sleep while wearing my Apple Watch and it starts charging because of the charger unit by my bed. And in my car, the phone could charge wirelessly while simultaneously using wireless CarPlay. No need to plug anything in anywhere is the Apple way.

Will it cook my balls too ? or give me an unwanted erection ?

 

[Smith288]

No such thing as true wireless in anyone's definition then unless we can harness the power of earth's magnetics. Based on some critics, if it's not 1m or greater then it's not wireless but the pad idea is more about convenience than a technological marvel. I just hate buying cables all the time for them to only give out because they all are made like garbage (and likely on purpose for continued patronage - tin foil). A wireless charging pad is just super convenient.

I want to take the idea of a wireless charging pad, throw some strong magnets around it, put some steel between my phone and case and have an all in one magnetically attached wireless powered car charging holder.

Not having to fuss around with my cable as I come and go from my car is just appealing, simply.

The tech is very cheap and the parts to do this including the pad, the receiver card and magnets all can run your probably 25-30 bucks max.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Oh boy, everyone's getting cancer for Christmas this year!

You get a tumor, you get a tumor, and you get tumor. Everyone gets a tumor!
[doublepost=1463592087][/doublepost]

Can't wait. If Apple were able to put 1m wireless charging, edge to edge display, integrated TouchID and software home button in the 2017 iPhone it would be killer.

ANd...they get rid of the sea of icons on the home page..

 

[Jakeoster]

I would like to see wireless charging implemented in a few ways.

-Cars, myself and everyone who is in my car gets their phone charged automatically
-Coffee shops & restaurants, when you sit down to enjoy your coffee or meal your phone automatically charges
-Class, when you sit down at your tiny desk in the middle of the room with no outlet its no problem
-Home, the phone can sit on my nightstand in any orientation not tethered by the chord

 

[KdParker]

bummer. Looks like the iPhone 7 will not have wireless charging.

 

[whsbuss]

bummer. Looks like the iPhone 7 will not have wireless charging.

How do you know?

 

[maxsix]

Just another reason to hold off on this next iPhone.

Very True!

2017 seems to be shaping up to be a good year for Apple's rather stale iPhone. If the various significant rumors materialize, I'll let the buyers sort it out. Then when the 2018 is released its more likely to meet the higher standards Apple products used to meet.

 

[Soccertess]

Honestly, this is the one killer feature that could save the Iphone 7 for me... Especially if they role it out across their products.

I think Android is so much better these days that if the next iOS isn't a huge jump, and if the hardware is as bland as it has been, I'm going to ditch Apple after 8 years just like all my friends and co-workers.

The only switchers going to apple these days that I know of are older generation and non techies!

 

[whsbuss]

The only switchers going to apple these days that I know of are older generation and non techies!

Well almost all of my family and friends are still w/Apple so I don't see other massively moving to Android.

 

[AsherN]

Honestly, this is the one killer feature that could save the Iphone 7 for me... Especially if they role it out across their products.

I think Android is so much better these days that if the next iOS isn't a huge jump, and if the hardware is as bland as it has been, I'm going to ditch Apple after 8 years just like all my friends and co-workers.

The only switchers going to apple these days that I know of are older generation and non techies!

Be careful though. Unless you get a Nexus phone, OS upgrades are iffy at best and the user experience can be pretty bad. That's the downside of Android.

 

[tbrinkma]

uBeam... hmm

{sniff} Kinda smells like {sniff, sniff}... like {sniff)... like GT Advance I could be wrong through.

More importantly, I have concerns about the affects of extended wireless charging on other electronics in the charging zone. May be nothing, but I have yet to see an info addressing the issue.

You didn't bother to follow the link and read about uBeam's technology, did you?
Given that it uses *ultrasound* to transmit the power, what effect do you expect it might have on 'other electronics in the charging zone'?
[doublepost=1463666136][/doublepost]

Actually it's quite surprising Apple hired them.
[doublepost=1463508712][/doublepost]
Cancer treatment centers are eagerly awaiting new patients.

Because of ultrasound? Please describe the mechanism by which you propose ultrasound will cause cancer.
[doublepost=1463666822][/doublepost]

http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/...k/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet



I agree with you on the hiring, you're right.
But it's weird to compare natural Earth magnetic field to artifical ones.

Here's what your article has to say about the risk of cancer as it pertains to magnetic fields:

This means that the findings could be interpreted to reflect linear increases in risk, a threshold effect at 0.3 or 0.4 μT, or no significant increase.

When the findings of a study can be interpreted in three vastly different ways, it's an indication that attempting to draw conclusions from the study is something to avoid.

What, precisely, do you think is different between a 'natural' magnetic field and an 'artificial' one?

 

[Mactendo]

Because of ultrasound? Please describe the mechanism by which you propose ultrasound will cause cancer.

Due to tissue heating.

 

[tbrinkma]

So , as you say, a charging pad where the phone just sits on, and creates a wireless connection to it. You seem to have trouble understanding what wireless means. Anyways, this is stupid. Explain how.
My phone is used all day at the desk, when I end a call I just place it on the pad, superfast charging as well. No wires, no fuss. Stupid is not a word I'd use... Unless I was bitter Apple didn't have it first and just wanted to trash talk the competition..
[doublepost=1463580900][/doublepost]
What charges the charger? Doh..
[doublepost=1463581082][/doublepost]Plus, every seen where folk who live next to electric sub stations seem to have higher cancer rates. Would you want electricity flying thru your privates?

Actually, study after study has found a *lack* of statistical correlation between proximity to electric substations, or high voltage power lines and cancer rates.

Also, electromagnetism and electricity are two different things. You've got electromagnetism "flying through your privates" anywhere in the world, 24/7. If you have electricity "flying through your privates", you're probably doing something kinky (or being struck by lightning).
[doublepost=1463667233][/doublepost]

Due to tissue heating.

Do you know what ultrasound *is*? You'll get more 'tissue heating' as a result of putting on a pair of socks, or walking up a flight of stairs in your home.

 

[69Mustang]

You didn't bother to follow the link and read about uBeam's technology, did you?
Given that it uses *ultrasound* to transmit the power, what effect do you expect it might have on 'other electronics in the charging zone'?

You didn't bother to go further in the thread to read that I already addressed that, did you?

.

Yeah, I just checked out their site. Good on them for saying they are a long way from a commercially viable product. The ultrasound and beam forming seem novel. Looks like they're trying to make sure they cover their bases regarding safety. Kudos there. If their product is even half as good as their marketing then they may have something. I would guess Apple is going to take the new hires and use their knowledge on a product that uses different tech.

 

[Mactendo]

When the findings of a study can be interpreted in three vastly different ways, it's an indication that attempting to draw conclusions from the study is something to avoid.

You try to twist the results into the way you want to see them. Read the whole article.

What, precisely, do you think is different between a 'natural' magnetic field and an 'artificial' one?

It's nature is different by definition. Humans and human bodies are used to natural magnetic field, natural radiation level, etc. When you try to add artifical sources you start to get problems. An obvious thing.

Actually, study after study has found a *lack* of statistical correlation between proximity to electric substations, or high voltage power lines and cancer rates.

A lie.

Do you know what ultrasound *is*?

I do. Do you? Should I point you at every single thing? Looks like you are already sure that everything is safe and nothing in this world can cause cancer. What's the point of discussion then?

In November 2015, the company released technical specifications for its proposed system, stating that its power beam would use ultrasound with a frequency of between 45 kHz - 75 kHz, with a sound intensity of 145 dB to 155 dB SPL, and that it would use a phased array technique to direct the beam.[3] This intensity is at or above most peak occupational exposure limits, and sufficient to kill an unshaven mouse within minutes, death arising there from thermal effects.[9]