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New Charging Sound Discovered in iOS 11, Perhaps for iPhone 8 Inductive Wireless Charging Functionality
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I have wireless inductive charging on my S8+ and it works fine with a case on it. I don't see why the iPhone would be different.
Actually, it'll automatically connect to your HomePod before it plays that sound, so it'll sound fantastic.
Inductive, yes. Wireless, no.
Buried in iOS 11, there seems to be a new sound file that could potentially be implemented when the rumored "iPhone 8" is released with inductive wireless charging capabilities. Highlighted on YouTube, the sound file is called "engage_power.caf," and it is distinct from the existing "connect_power.caf" sound file that's used whenever an iPhone is connected to a Lightning cable.
In the video below, the unused charging sound is compared to the existing charging sound in iOS 11. The new audio file provides a longer, more distinct sound that could perhaps be used to assure iPhone users that their devices are properly charging should the iPhone 8 indeed include an inductive-based wireless charging function as has been rumored.
While both the name of the file and the sound seem to indicate that it is related to some kind of charging purpose, there's no way to confirm why the sound has been added, so this is all pure speculation at this point.
In fact, there are several other sound files in iOS 10 and 11 that are unused and do not have a purpose, so it's not entirely clear if the new charging sound will actually be added to the iOS 11 operating system or what it will be used for. The hidden sound file in iOS 11 is not accessible on a device running iOS 11 and must be accessed using a computer.
Wireless charging is expected to be included in the radically redesigned "iPhone 8" coming in the fall of 2017, and perhaps its two companion devices (presumably the iPhone 7s and the iPhone 7s Plus), but there's still some question about the form the wireless charging functionality will take.
Early 2017 iPhone rumors suggested Apple was aiming to implement long-range wireless charging, perhaps through a partnership with a company like Energous, but that technology may not be advanced enough to be used in the iPhone. Long-range wireless charging continues to suffer from problems like object interference and much slower charging rates as the distance between the receiver and the transmitter increases.
Apple is no doubt working on long-range wireless charging, but recent information suggests a simpler solution will be added to the iPhone 8 - inductive charging. An inductive charging solution, which is what's used for the Apple Watch, would require the iPhone to attach to some kind of charging puck, mat, dock, or other device. It would perhaps be simpler than a Lightning port, but it isn't a full wire-free contactless solution.
Regardless of how wireless charging is implemented, there's overwhelming evidence that this is a technology Apple is aggressively pursuing. Apple joined the Wireless Power Consortium in February, hired dozens of employees with expertise in wireless charging, and has sourced wireless charging components from a range of manufacturers including Lite-On Semiconductor, MediaTek, and Luxshare.
Article Link: New Charging Sound Discovered in iOS 11, Perhaps for iPhone 8 Inductive Wireless Charging Functionality
Inductive charging and wireless charging at the end of the day are relatively the same. For me, if it needs to sit on a puck to charge, its pointless. At least with Lightning I can still use my phone while charging. Since Apple has already gave the thumbs down to any puck/pad based system, I don't see this happening. Long distance charging is where the next step should be. Then you can enter your car, leave the phone in your pocket and let it charge.
Because it has never been done before and so it's hard for people who lack vision to imagine that it could ever be done.
Of course once Apple does it then these same people will say it's no big deal and that Apple is doomed, yet again...
Exactly.
This is what the HomePod was specifically created for. The HomePod will be the mid-range RF-based wireless distance charger transmitter for the 2017 iPhones which will all include the Energous-Dialog Semi power management chip giving them the hardware compatibility for CONTACT to DISTANCE charging. The iPhones will ship with or have mat, contact-based chargers sold separately for a very cheap price (comparatively speaking), and these will be accessible to the vast majority of customers, while the HomePod at $349 will provide 3-5ft distance charging for the customers who can afford it.
It is my assertion and has been that the Siri Device (before it was announced) would have and was specifically conceived of for transmitting power at a distance. I also postulate that the very reason it has a launch window of December at the very end of the year, is specifically due to the fact that Energous RF FCC approval has not been accomplished yet, but is expected in the next month or so. December gives Apple the time to ensure FCC approval of Energous technology and then Apple's own FCC approval of the HomePod itself (which specifically states at the bottom of the Apple page that it has not received FCC approval and cannot be sold yet). Also the HomePod only launches in the US, UK, and Australia first, which I believe could mean that the regulatory approvals are easiest to accomplish in these countries and others will take longer.
The Apple/Energous development was rumored to have started in 2014, and a contract signed at the beginning of 2015. The HomePod has been factually stated by Apple to have been in development for 'multiple years'. In essence, the HomePod and its larger, future pod-lings (for long range 10-15ft charging) were conceptualized as the methodology for which to transmit the RF power from an early point in the Apple/Energous development teaming.
This is my speculation and it sounds so good that I love it even if none of it comes to be.
Considering the file is called “engage power” it could just be a new sound that happens when the device turns on.
Whatever it is for, I just hope the new sound is Patrick Stewart/Jean-Luc Picard saying "Engage".
Can you imagine the 100000 page thread of complaints on MacRumors if Apple included the ability to charge wirelessly but made you pay even more to use it?
I just don't see them going that route.
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Friend is a VP for Energous. Can't say.
Am I the only one who dislikes the iOS 10 keyboard click sounds? It sounds way too much like Windows Phone keyclicks and the 'pock', 'pock' reminds me a lot of popcorn popping.
Engage is a verb. You don't usually "engage" power at will. You plug in something. If you can just "engage" power, then it sounds like true wireless power. Maybe it will turn on automatically if the battery gets low but you can turn it on manually otherwise? Could explain the control center redesign as they'd have to add yet another control, so might as well make it modular.
I prefer the sound the Watch makes when it's mated to the puck. Connection made -- short and sweet.
This one sounds more suited to being a startup sound.
Conversely, the "ding" startup sound of the first PowerMacs was also out of place, before Apple wised up and restored the "boom."
This one sounds more suited to being a startup sound.
Conversely, the "ding" startup sound of the first PowerMacs was also out of place, before Apple wised up and restored the "boom."
If the HomePod was a big flat unit that you hung on your wall, then your wish that it included a directed beam power antenna to cover a room might make sense.
But if placed on a bookshelf or against a wall, it's entirely the wrong shape to efficiently transmit power.
Moreover, all of Apple's wireless charging patents so far have been for inductive. They even point out the negatives of RF charging:
https://9to5mac.com/2017/01/24/iphone-8-energous-wattup-copperfield-research/
It'd be amazing if you got your wish, but don't be disappointed if not. Energous constantly moves its release date out another 16 months, which is often the sign of a scam. Or at best, unrealistic goals.
That article you linked was written by someone SHORTING energous's stock. I strongly suggest you not listen to a word typed in that article, it's complete nonesense BS.
Apple has patents on numerous different wireless charging mechanisms of which inductive is only a part, not the whole. Moreover, Apple needs no patents, its Energous who needs the patents as they are who Apple aggressively decided to work with due to their realization that this company had a realistic technology.
Finally, you assume the device needs to be flat because you don't understand how the technology works. In fact, the technology would be superior in a cylindrical shape, encompassing the entire exterior body such that anywhere around it in 360° would be optimal for charging, and the RF technology is specifically designed to be bounced off of walls to directionally impart the energy in the optimal area as it cannot go through things like organic tissue at the 5.865 GHz band it uses. Guess what the HomePod includes? A very accurate way to measure surroundings and get a virtual picture of where walls are and other objects which would help gauge the optimal path for the RF transmission.
It's just one of many similar articles.
Yes, I was the first to write about such details here.
The downside of using reflections is that it can drastically cut the power transfer. Distance squared and all that.
Now it might be workable if you were instructed to put the HomePod in the middle of your seating area, and your devices were kept within a few feet at all times. But this all still hinges on a licensee getting the FCC to give a waiver to allow much more transmitter power than the law currently allows. Even their company docs point out that this unkown ability is a huge risk for a licensee.
Loooool made me laugh hard!
I love the look of this iPhone so they can take my money! I want that OLED screen, used the S8 for 3 months I can confirm that the OLED is fantastic!
It's going to happen that way, Apple will include a wired charger within the box which will be the 10W USB-C model that is talked about on another thread and they will release the wireless pad as an additional accessory.
One reason for doing this is to make extra money of course, but the reason why they wouldn't make wireless the standard option is that it is just too slow at the moment when compared to wired charging.
There would be many more complaints both on this forum and the Apple forum were they to just rely on wireless charging alone as the standard out of the box.
The technology still has a long way to go before they could consider that (if ever).
We'll have to wait and see what they come up with of course, but your point makes sense. Like with the Apple Watch the pad can be an accessory (but the AW doesn't have a port, so that's a different story). It's more a luxury option than something essiential until they remove the Lightning port entirely (which will happen sometime in the future).
Yes and the Apple Watch also has a much smaller battery of course, so the slower speed of wireless charging is not really an issue
