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Next-Generation Qi2 Wireless Charging Standard Embraces Apple's MagSafe for Universal Compatibility
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I’m guessing devices where it would be too awkward to align them on a Qi charger, like say a tablet; slap a puck on the back and it can stay connected while you hold it, rather than have to line it up just right flat on a table, balanced on top of a pad much smaller than the tablet itself.
Great, now contribute the Apple watch charger spec as a mini version.
Yes of course. USB-C will be here for a couple of years, specially on pro models where the need of a fast and reliable data transfer is real. With wifi 8 or 9 I think the problem will be solved.
I use no case since the iPhone X because it had glass back and stainless sides which made it actually grippable
I still don’t use a case but when Apple moronically switched to matte glass on the back the phones became far more slippery than the iPhone X and iPhone XS.
If they make the stainless sides matte and slippery I will officially be laughing my ass off at their insane stupidity.
Matte = slippery
Smooth stainless and glass = grippy
I remember tech YouTubers were actually stupid enough to suggest the matte back was GRIPPIER than the smooth glass HAHAHAAH. That’s actually how god damn stupid those humans are. You can literally run your finger across the rear of the iPhone and it will slide quickly across the matte and then get stuck and slow down as it grips the smooth Apple logo. Anyone who thought the matte was grippier needs to be laughed at and joked about for their utmost stupidity.
I think we'll see 1 or 2 USB-C iPhones, after that they will go portless. I think the non-Pro iPhone will be the first to ditch the port, though.
Hmm...I wonder if Lightning is really a better port.
I have noticed over the years that usually of the pins of the Lightning cable would blacken. I thought it was dust or just wear and tear but it looks to me like it is a result of repeated electric sparks. I've never seen this issue with other data cables. I haven't had to use Lightning cables in a long time though as I primarily charge my phone by Magsafe. And yes, those Lightning cables with the blackened pins were all Apple branded.
I’d be disappointed my Backbone controller wouldn’t have anywhere to plug in, although I’d guess I’d need a new one anyway. It’d also be a pain for anyone with a non-wireless Carplay head unit. I don’t think there’d be a truly portless iPhone without some sort of USB-compatible accessory connection that would work through a Magsafe puck.
I’m curious if that pin blackening happens with USB-C but it’s not as obvious since you can’t see the pins as easily.
One upside to lightning is the rounded tip is more forgiving when inserting slightly off angle.
Yeah, CarPlay is going to be a big issue. Apple will have to solve for it, otherwise, CarPlay will become DOA. People do NOT replace cars that often, and just now, you are really starting to see wireless CarPlay adoption, but there are far too many vehicles out there with Wired CarPlay only.
I could actually see an Apple MagSafe puck that also has “wireless” CarPlay included, so it does the translation and submits the info to the in car USB port to the wired CarPlay unit.
They would need to make USB-A and USB-C versions, but it is a good stop-gap
This is a genius move from Apple as they will likely make a cut on Qi2 devices sold which will replace the lost revenue from the removal of lightning due to the EU USB-C laws
This is the universal phone charging standard. Already is. You can have a Qi charger with you and charge both an iPhone and an Android phone. Now the magnet arrangement is also standard. Qi can already charge @ 20W so charging speed is no longer a concern.
This is why it's quite possible that Apple complies with the EU rules by removing Lightning and leaving MagSafe. USB-C wouldn't be required by the EU in that scenario. Note that the EU is now progressing to standardizing wireless charging, which the industry has a consensus around Qi.
Don't assume the next iPhone will have USB-C as MacRumors and other tech sites have been stating as fact. This new move with Qi makes it more likely that USB-C is not Apple's choice for adhering to the EU's new regulations.
I've been seeing more and more Qi charging points at hotels, cafes, airports, and built into furniture for offices and homes. What's better than one cable? No cable at all. At this rate, you won't have to carry a cable anywhere as there'll be Qi charging points everywhere.
This is why it's quite possible that Apple complies with the EU rules by removing Lightning and leaving MagSafe. USB-C wouldn't be required by the EU in that scenario. Note that the EU is now progressing to standardizing wireless charging, which the industry has a consensus around Qi.
Don't assume the next iPhone will have USB-C as MacRumors and other tech sites have been stating as fact. This new move with Qi makes it more likely that USB-C is not Apple's choice for adhering to the EU's new regulations.
I've been seeing more and more Qi charging points at hotels, cafes, airports, and built into furniture for offices and homes. What's better than one cable? No cable at all. At this rate, you won't have to carry a cable anywhere as there'll be Qi charging points everywhere.
I imagine that this means that devices like the Apple Watch (with curved surfaces) will be compatible with Qi2. Qi is officially only compatible with completely flat surfaces on both the charger and device where they meet.
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That doesn't make any sense. MagSafe has absolutely nothing to do with charging or Qi. MagSafe is a ring of magnets placed around the Qi charging coil to align the device over the coil.
If they're developing a new standard, it should have the magnets inside/behind the coils to minimize the profile. MagSafe has a giant footprint because it is something that Apple retrofitted around the Qi charger.
If they're developing a new standard, it should have the magnets inside/behind the coils to minimize the profile. MagSafe has a giant footprint because it is something that Apple retrofitted around the Qi charger.
Some serious Soul Train haters gave me thumbs down. Just cause you can’t dance like Rosie no need to hate 😂
MagSafe makes Qi charging work. I can't count the number of times I thought I aligned my phone (the charge indicator shows charging) on a Qi charger then I come back and the phone didn't charge because alignment or something like that. No issues with MagSafe - once it clicks in it's on.
Qi charging is effectively electromagnetic charging. I believe this means any magnet used for alignment purposes would need to be isolated from the charging coil, hence the ring around the charging coil.
I think that would be te solution - Bluetooth to wireless puck and wired to car. I have carPlay (aftermarket) connected to my car's radio and display and wired is flawless but wireless is very finicky.
More likely require a USB-C to A adaptor for legacy A vehicles.
I think that is Apple's long term plan - make the standard adhere to what you already have and you will be compliant when the EU adopts it. Rather than have a fight, co-opt the standard.
Given teh push for iCloud, I'd gues bot would ditch the port at the same time.
From reading the USB-C spec I'd say Apple did alright - nothing in the spec stops them from making a proprietary data xfer or power spec on top of the minimum required by the EU; in fact it explicitly allows such design. The notion of 1 cable to rule all is not a given from the rule.
Are you using a MagSafe-compatible case? If not, you're shooting yourself in the foot. Not a fault of the tech.
The Qi standard needs to evolve further in line with what AirPower was aiming to be... set a device anywhere on a charging pad and the pad efficiently delivers power to only the point of contact. With that, you could set an Apple Watch on the pad and it would charge. Qi is not there yet, but it's coming, I believe.
There's no mention that the Nexus 4 had built-in magnets to align the device with chargers. Got a link, or was it a third-party case that had the magnets?