Wireless Charging Accessory Might Not Ship Until After New 2017 iPhones Launch

[EdBuk]

On that logic WiFi isnt wireless...

So to connect to your wifi network, do you need your phone to be placed on top of the router?

Or can you be connected to it at a distance / without your device making physical contact with the router?

That's the major difference between truly game changing wireless charging, and an induction charger that requires the phone to be sat on a pad to charge.

Pads have big cons (slower charging, device being harder to use when charging) so hopefully Apple have a longer range charging solution in the works.

 

[Tsuchiya]

Jeez, if true what is it with Apple and their supply chain issues nowadays?

 

[steve lowe]

Apple's upcoming 2017 iPhone lineup is expected to include an inductive wireless charging feature enabled through a standalone charging accessory, and new information shared by Apple blogger John Gruber suggests the accessory might not ship alongside the iPhones in September.

In a tweet shared this evening, Gruber says he's heard that the inductive charging accessory will be sold separately rather than included with the iPhones, a rumor we've heard previously, and that it might be shipped later in the year alongside an iOS 11.1 update.

​

Gruber's wording says the charging accessory "might" be late, so the delay is not confirmed, and it is not yet clear why Apple would hold off on shipping the rumored standalone charger.

Early rumors about the OLED "iPhone 8" and its two companion devices, the "iPhone 7s" and the "iPhone 7s Plus," suggested Apple was considering a long-range charging feature, but that technology is still new and there are likely many hurdles to overcome before it's ready for inclusion in a device like the iPhone.

Instead, Apple is rumored to be introducing Apple Watch-style inductive charging, enabled through a standalone charging accessory.

An example of a Qi wireless charging solution​

In a research note published earlier this week, trusted KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the three iPhones coming in 2017 will adopt glass bodies to facilitate WPC-standard wireless charging functionality. WPC-standard refers to the Wireless Power Consortium (Apple is a member), which supports the Qi wireless charging functionality built into many Android devices.

If Apple's upcoming iPhones do indeed support a universal inductive charging technology like Qi, the devices could potentially work with a range of already-available charging solutions once the wireless charging feature is enabled. Apple's exact plans for its inductive wireless charging solution remain unclear, however, and it could be limited to Apple-designed accessories.

Article Link: Wireless Charging Accessory Might Not Ship Until After New 2017 iPhones Launch

[doublepost=1499503821][/doublepost]i really dont see why apple are doing this at all!! its not wireless charging at all so why call it wireless. it may save you a millisecond not actually connecting the lightning connector in to the phone but it still has to be connected. i say forget inductive charging all together and put their efforts into actual wireless charging intel and leapfrog the competition. steve jobs wouldn't be following the competition, no he would be charging full steam ahead int the future....

 

[Robstevo]

Inductive charging? Wow that's crap!

 

[Porco]

If I was buying one of these iPhones I'd much rather it was a separate accessory and I'd just keep plugging it in to charge. I'm sure the price will be high enough without adding ~£100 more to the cost for something I probably wouldn't be interested in. Let it be sold on its merits - if it's a cool solution then people will want to buy it, and that's fine.

Same with the Airpods really - I appreciate those that love them really love them, and they bought them willingly as an extra expense. That's fine, it's much better than including them with every iPhone sold and raising the price, regardless of whether people want them or not.

Like many commenting here I wouldn't find bog-standard inductive charging of the kind that has been around for years to be either innovative or interesting, however nicely designed the Apple hardware is. Truly safe, completely wireless and contactless charging where you don't have to really even think about it once you plug in the charger unit at home/work/wherever is what I think it would take for most people to be impressed by.

 

[Superhappytree]

I'm still hoping this isn't true, but knowing Apple as of late it probably is. If it's not real wireless I would rather them not bother and wait for the real deal. I have zero interest in buying an accessory to lay my phone onto which is connected to.... a wire.
I think they're only doing it to appease those people who whine about how iPhones don't have wireless charging (mainly Android users who settle for crap implementations just for bragging rights).

 

[itsmilo]

such a first world problem solution. plugging in a cable vs placing it on a surface saves me no time, especially in the dark plus on top of it good luck using the device properly while charging or even unlocking it when it does indeed requires to scan your face

 

[Glockworkorange]

Tim can't launch anything properly.

For a "supply chain master," it seems they've struggled to ship new products during his tenure. Perhaps not necessarily shipping them, but shipping them in decent quantity. The new MacBook, the watch, new iPhones, etc., etc.

 

[jpn]

Why why WHY can't we just use the same motherhumping charger as the Apple Watch?! I don't want a friggin mat or stupid stand that my phone has to be attached to in order to charge. That makes charging worse, not better. I think Tim is going to disappoint big time in a few months....

probably total power requirements differ.
but, taking your point, this inductive charger could charge your watch...
[doublepost=1499512192][/doublepost]

good

£1,000 phone plus a £60-70 charger? ugh

thats if you buy only one. really want one each for bedroom, study room, kitchen, and at your desk at the office.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Well how are we supposed to charge our iPhones then, Tim???? lol

Lightning to USB-A cable provided in the box. Really?, you think Apple is that dumb that they won't provide a contingency option?
[doublepost=1499513383][/doublepost]

Still have a hard time Apple would wait all this time and delay JUST for a standard Qi charger. They’ve got something new going on. Even if it’s not far field charging, but it’s something.

Here's the thing, you've fallen into Apple's trap. As you said "They’ve got something new going on" because "they have all this time and delay JUST for a standard Qi charger". No, you believed they had something going on so you ignored what their competitors have been providing for years. You thought Apple has mastered some black arts. You were wrong and when Apple releases Qi charging you are so fed up with waiting for something better you're just going to go with Apple's implementation.
[doublepost=1499514125][/doublepost]

Apple was considering a long-range charging feature, but that technology is still new and there are likely many hurdles to overcome before it'sready for inclusion in a device like the iPhone :- Macrumors Quote
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If it's not long range I don't really see a point in the wireless charging :-(

OK, outside of science fiction can you give me one example of any phone that uses long range wireless charging?

Experiments of distance (I guess long range) charging suggest, that while possible, it will be 1/10 the speed of a wired connection. Does anyone really want distance charging at 1/10 slower speeds?

I know the replies this will get "I want speed and distance charging!", "Apple will figure it out!" Please people ground your expectations in reality.

 

[thekeyring]

As Gruber says: Inductive, not wireless.

If we call inductive changing 'wireless' then what will we call it when we have phones that actually charge over the air (like how they connect to the internet over the air)?

 

[iZac]

Fashionably late, like the AirPods?

 

[nfl46]

At least they were smart enough to not remove the charging port this time. I still can't find a pair of AirPods in stores anywhere.

Why not order online and have them shipped to your job or home? They’re available.

Best Buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-airpods-white/5577872.p?skuId=5577872

AT&T: https://m.att.com/shopmobile/audio/apple-airpods/_jcr_content.html??????

 

[WatchFromAfar]

As Gruber says: Inductive, not wireless.

If we call inductive changing 'wireless' then what will we call it when we have phones that actually charge over the air (like how they connect to the internet over the air)?

Inductive charging is technically "wireless" charging because you can hold it over the the "charging base/station" at a distance of 1mm (no physical contact) and it will charge because of an electromagmetnetic field (see :https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_charging)
Phones are never going to "charge over the air", how would that be possible? Electricity doesn't fall from the air. Unless you believe that every couple of meters in which you exist in there is going to be an electrical transmitter providing electricity for you.

 

[Thunderhawks]

The amount of complainers here who lived their entire lives - make that iPhone lives - without this is mind-blowing.

That, besides not knowing exactly what is coming.

Why would I care how my phone charges, if I have to put it NEAR a charging stand, mat, plug it in or anything?
As long as it charges , it's all good!

And, god forbid somebody calls during charging, I just won't know what to do. Help, please. This is a BIG problem.

Do I pick it up, should I answer lifting the phone, maybe I can activate the loudspeaker, so I don't have to touch it.
Will I get brain cancer if I lift it up and the electric charge zaps me?

Soooo many questions.

Maybe an automatic message in iOS 11 responding to anybody: Will call back asap: Charging!

Better yet, send an EMOJI

Suggesting a pile of #2 with a lightning bolt through it. Get on it Apple and have Ive design that pronto!

Jeez!

 

[Tech198]

HA.... Long range,,, Long wait I like these technical challenges..

Inductive charging is technically "wireless" charging because you can hold it over the the "charging base/station" at a distance of 1mm

ok, but wouldn't your arm get sore before the phone is completely charged? You can do it, but that doesn't mean you 'should' do it.

 

[sulpfiction]

It's funny how I get attacked here when I say something different from the previous rumors about the next iPhone. Somehow they know what's a guaranteed feature of the next iPhone. Now we're hearing about no more TouchID and this, late release of wireless charging. Either non of this are true or we're just getting an iPhone 7S. Well somebody well tell me that iPhone 8 will available along with 7S. Then Qualcomm announced a fingerprint scanner that overlays on top of the screen. It's going to be a crazy coming months as more rumors and leaks progresses. But I have a feeling maybe next year is the iPhone 8 for real, and iPhone 7S will sell like a hotcakes. Just sayin'!

No way...If Apple released just the 7S & 7S+ this year with the same design that we've had for the past 3 years, there would be riots. It might not be called iPhone 8, BUT we ARE getting an OLED, edge to edge, home button-less iPhone in September. You can bet the house on it.

 

[9594864]

The 2017 iPhones will not include inductive wireless charging at all. The 2017 iPhones include the RF-based wireless distance charging receiver power management chips from Energous/Dialog Semi. These chips are capable of contact to 15ft charging. This means that all 2017 iPhones are hardware-ready for contact to range charging.

Apple wouldn't have trouble getting an inductive charger out. They'd have trouble getting a never-before-used RF-based charger out. This charger will be a contact-based charger at or near launch, and the true short-range charger will launch at the end of the year. It's named 'HomePod'. It will be capable of 3-5ft charging radius.

The HomePod specifically launches in December in ONLY the US, UK, and Australia for two reasons:

1. December is the absolute end of the year which gives Apple maximal time for Energous to receive FCC approval of the short-range charging technology. Then, subsequent FCC approval of the HomePod which carries this technology. They are confident they can get it out in the next several months, BUT they wanted to ensure they set a sufficiently far out date.

2. The regulatory approvals for the US, UK, and Australia are likely much easier or faster for Energous to deal with and hence the reason why the HomePod only launches in 3 countries.

The HomePod is a speaker. Why in god's name would the HomePod take until December to finish and release in only 3 countries? It's a speaker. My belief is because it's not just a speaker, it's also a short-range wireless distance transmitting device for all 2017 iPhones. However, they will also be capable of contact-based charging from a separate, much cheaper accessory sold at launch.

If Apple does this, the HomePod will sell in absolutely absurd numbers and they will easily be a trillion dollar company.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

HA.... Long range,,, Long wait I like these technical challenges..



ok, but wouldn't your arm get sore before the phone is completely charged? You can do it, but that doesn't mean you 'should' do it.

You're correct of course, but it's (however dumb) possible.

 

[StevieD100]

Sheesh! There are an awful lot of moaning minnies here today.
Wireless/Inductive charging is IMHO a nice to have and certainly not a must have feature. From the moans here it appears that it will be the end of the world if a wireless charge point is not included with the next iPhone.
Guess what, the world won't end if it is not included. Personally, I'm not interested in this feature but my vote does not count.
Apple will introduce it IF and only if it meets their success criteria. If it does not meet that then it won't appear.
Can all your moaning minnies please go and buy one of the Android phones that has wireless charging and leave the rest of us alone to wallow in our obvious deficiencies. We are clearly not worthy to use wireless/inductive charging.
{Written with tongue firmly planted in my cheek}

 

[Roller]

I recharge my iPhone every night by plugging it in and placing it on my nightstand. Not having to connect the cable would be a marginal improvement, but I'd miss being able to use the phone while it's charging. An inductive charger that works with the Apple Watch and iPhone would be more useful, but I don't expect that. On the other hand, if Apple has something different up their sleeve (e.g., wireless charging over a greater distance or very fast charging), I'd be interested, but I don't expect that, either.

 

[Donfor]

I no longer understand wireless charging

Does the dock adaptor need plugged in?

If not where does the power come from

 

[9594864]

I no longer understand wireless charging

Does the dock adaptor need plugged in?

If not where does the power come from

Of course the transmitting device has to be plugged into a wall.

Wireless charging simply means the ability for a device to receive a charge without a conductive wire attached to it and the charger. Inductive charging is wireless because it does not need to have a wire between the charger and charging device. It is of extremely marginal convenience though, because it requires it being placed on a charging pad. A wire allows you to charge the device much faster and more efficiently, and most importantly, within the distance of the cord you have, which could be a 20ft+ cord.

Apple will not use inductive charging. They'll use RF. Why? Because it's the future, and highly innovative, and inductive is, as I said, near-pointless and has numerous other drawbacks over RF-based.

 

[NBAasDOGG]

A trillion dollar company does not think like this.

To become a trillion dollar company, you must think like this!!!

Don't be naive
[doublepost=1499519657][/doublepost]

I bet it will cost $129+ in the US.

Equals €219 in EU with the freaking 23% tax and import costs we have to pay here!

 

[Urban Joe]

I hope the back of the flagship, if glass, will not crack easily. My iPhone 4 (a glass sandwich) was pretty fragile as I had to replace the phone once and the screen twice.