Every year, we get rumours and reports that Apple will be bringing wireless charging to the next iteration of the iPhone. And every year, the new iPhone gets delivered without wireless charging. This time, it seems, there is solid evidence that Apple is indeed serious in bringing the technology to the iPhone, but not in the traditional way. By partnering with Energous and utilising their WattUp technology, Apple could be bringing true wireless charging to the iPhone, and possible all of its other devices. As uncovered by VentureBeat, Energous has listed “Apple” as part of the industry certifications compliance, which is unequivocally indicative of a partnership between the two in one form or another.
“We believe in a wireless future. A future where all of your devices intuitively connect.”
– Jony Ive during the AirPod announcement
But why hasn’t Apple jumped on the bandwagon yet? Back in 2012, Phil Schiller mentioned in an interview that “having to create another device you have to plug into the wall is actually, for most situations, more complicated.” In the iPhone 7 launch keynote, and in promoting the new AirPods, Jony Ive begins narrating with “We believe in a wireless future. A future where all of your devices intuitively connect.” This asserts the belief that Apple is not interested in creating a pieces of hardware that you plug into the the power outlet and then place your iPhone on them.
So how does WattUp work? Through radio frequencies. Transmitters deliver on-demand charging energy within a 15-foot radius of where they are installed, creating wire-free charging space. Think of it as a “WiFi” where your devices will charge when they’re in range. Each of these power routers can charge up to 12 devices at the same time.
Will we be seeing this technology in the next iPhone, and possibly other devices? Who knows. Getting rid of wired charging completely will be a definite game changer, and how Apple will be implementing this =, transmitters and all, is yet to be seen, if ever.
Source: VentureBeat
