If you’re fortunate enough to use one of the handful of smartphones that natively support the Qi wireless charging standard—or have even opted for a case that adds that functionality—MugenPower’s now got a backup battery that lets you leave all your charging cables at home.
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Philippe Starck is known for designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. So it’s not surprising that when it came to designing a sofa, the results would include everything from privacy dividers, to accessible power outlets, to even a Powermat wireless induction charging pad. There’s probably a good reason it’s called the My World, because as long as your gear is charged, what else do you really need? More »
Future iPads could ditch Apple’s Lightning dock connector in favor of an even more seamless way to power the device: inductive charging through its magnetic Smart Cover.
While numerous leaks have hinted at what we could have expected from the new Nexus phone at today’s cancelled Google event, the latest, from a Nexus 4 manual floating around online, brings two magic words with it: inductive charging. More »
It’s all explainable via science, but if you replace your typical cornucopia centerpiece with this floating steel plate supporting a glowing wireless candelabra, your dinner guests will be too blown away to notice your dry turkey and lumpy gravy. More »
Today is apparently Apple patent application day, and there’s another new one just published and unearthed by AppleInsider that describes a method for inductive charging. “But inductive charging already exists,” I hear you all cry out in unison. That’s true, but Apple’s added a device orientation trick to the mix that could vastly alter the scope of what’s possible via wireless, magnetic field-based connections.
In its patent application, Apple describes how changing the orientation of a device on a “docking” mat would induce different reactions, including just charging, syncing and back up either to a local computer or iCloud, performing diagnostic checks for hardware that may be malfunctioning, or even connecting to AirPlay wireless or tethered speakers, cameras or other devices.
The patent is interesting in light of Apple SVP of Marketing Phil Schiller’s comments at the iPhone 5 announcement with AllThingsD, where he said that inductive charging actually provided more of an inconvenience than any added value to consumers, since they ultimately sill have to plug something into the wall.
Inductive charging has an accepted standard, however, called the Qi inductive power standard, which is designed to help speed adoption by giving manufacturers one implementation of the tech that will be compatible with anything else using the same standard. Even so, it’s been slow to get traction among consumers, mostly because it isn’t built into a lot of hardware directly, and because as Schiller mentioned, you also still need an accompanying device tethered to a wall to use it.
Apple’s implementation of inductive charging as described in this application, however, is clearly designed to provide something more than just charging, likely in an attempt to demonstrate clear additional value to users. If you’re facing a tough adoption curve for new tech, the best way to get people on board is to make it obvious what they get out of using it. Offering no clear benefits to users is the reason Apple didn’t put NFC into the iPhone 5, and it’s probably the same for induction charging; it’s just not bringing enough to the table yet. In the next few years, the ideas sketched out in this patent application could change that.
Although TDK mentioned its Wireless Charging Cube at IFA with the rest of its latest portable audio wares, it wasn’t until today that we got a look at the speaker. The six by six by six-inch (yes, you read that right) unit features the same retro, black and gold aesthetic as TDKs other Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR speakers, but it’s notably housing a Qi-compatible inductive charging base at the top (just like JBL’s Lumia-styled Power Up speakers). Along with being splash-resistant enough to stay safely within range of your sink, an internal rechargeable battery will net you roughly six to eight hours of untethered play time. We had a very brief ears-on with this $400 unit, so join us past the break for more details and our initial impressions.
Gallery: TDK Wireless Charging Cube hands-on
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video
TDK’s Wireless Charging Cube pumps out the jams, juices your Qi devices and resists water (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Its larger form factor and bigger battery mean the iPhone 5 should last longer on a single charge. But to overcome the fact that battery technology still basically sucks, Apple has applied for a ‘shake to charge’ patent that uses electromagnetic induction to convert everyday motions into extra battery life. More »
Even though the companies involved have finally come together in a consortium and finalized a standard, wireless charging is still struggling to gain acceptance. But a new technology called adaptive resonance from Fulton Innovation promises to bridge the gaps between devices, and make wireless charging pads less difficult to use. More »
LaunchPort is finally releasing a sleeve for the new iPad, which makes it compatible with the company’s inductive charging gear. It goes on sale in September for a hefty $149, and of course, you’ll also need at least one $199 tabletop or wall mount to connect it to. The sleeve also works with the iPad 2, and if you’re thinking about getting one, be quick — it’s only a matter of time before resonance charging renders inductive juicing a little passé.
Continue reading LaunchPort releasing AP.3 sleeve for juicing your new iPad the inductive way
Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets
LaunchPort releasing AP.3 sleeve for juicing your new iPad the inductive way originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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