How Apple could revolutionize wireless charging for iPhone

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Screen Shot 2015-10-08 at 14.18.51
Who wouldn't want wireless charging for their iPhone?
Photo: USPTO/Apple

Wireless iPhone charging is a feature Apple fans have dreamed of for years, and it could finally be on the way — with an interesting twist that takes advantage of Apple’s unique technology.

In a newly published patent application, Apple describes a means of bringing inductive charging to its iOS devices, all without the need for additional hardware.

As in the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Note 5, Apple’s wireless technology would rely on a transmitter coil that passes power to a receiver coil rigged up to the phone’s battery. Unlike the Samsung tech, however, Apple would utilize electrical coils already featured in the iPhone’s speakers, microphones and Taptic Engine rather than adding a new one.

The lack of wireless charging has been a stick Samsung has used to beat Apple with. Following the announcement of the iPhone 6s, Samsung debuted an ad showing off the wireless charging capabilities of its latest devices, while depicting a dead iPhone 6 Plus being placed on a wireless charging pad to no effect.

Fortunately, patents like this suggest a change may be in the air. Recently, technology giant Qualcomm revealed the invention of a new charging technology that allows metal phones to use wireless charging for the first time.

Is it too early to get excited about the iPhone 7, anyone?

Source: USPTO

Via: Patently Apple

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