iPhone 8 Specs, New Features: Wireless Charging Works Up To15ft Away From Power Supply; Charger May Not Be Bundled In The Box [Video]
A cable-free future could soon become reality, if the rumours related to Apple working on a long-distance charging for the iPhone 8 are to be believed.
California start-up firm Energous is reportedly said to be working on a mid-range wireless charging transmitter that can work over distances up to 15 feet i.e. 4.5 metres.
Current wireless charging technology relies on contact between devices and a base unit. Researches note from market analyst Louis Basenese, according to to Apple Insider reveals that a number of connections between Apple and Energous were made.
Energous is apparently aiming to release a mid-range transmitter sometime in the third or early fourth quarter of 2017. The flagship phone from Apple is also expected to release in the latter half of 2017, so there are chances that the device could have the latest wireless technology in it.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a question answer session that Apple may adopt an all-glass design for the iPhone 8. As of now, Apple iPhone casings are made of metal. Shifting to glass design will allow the iPhone 8 to feature faster wireless charging, since metal-cased smartphones cap wireless charging speeds.
Energous is the same company that is behind the 'WattUp' platform, which uses small antennas to transfer energy over fairly long distances. It works at greater distances than existing wireless charging solutions that rely on traditional inductive charging coils.
The charging process is controlled by software. This means end users can decide the order in which devices receive power and create schedules for their charging.
However the patents previously filed by the Apple suggest that the technology giant has also been exploring the option of more traditional inductive wireless charging.
A patent applied for by the firm, details of which emerged in September 2016, refers to an 'inductive charging station' similar to the plastic wireless charger used by the Apple Watch.
If the iPhone 8 does have long-distance wireless charging, such as the rumored 15 ft long distance then it could give a massive selling point over the competition. Definitely wireless charging is a lot more useful than wired charging.
