Amid speculation about Apple’s post-iPhone future, a report has emerged that the tech giant is developing an enhanced wireless charging technology that could be incorporated into its phones as early as next year.
According to Bloomberg, the new technology would extend the wireless charging range on the company’s devices, allowing them to be further away from the power source than currently possible with charging mats.
As outlined in a series of patents unearthed by Bloomberg, Apple seems to have been at work on the idea since at least 2009. That year, the company filed an application for a concept that would allow customers to use their personal Apple computer as a wireless charging hub within a 1 meter radius.
Apple followed up in 2013 with an application for a patent for an aluminum phone casing that would allow radio-frequency waves to pass through via a small window, which would be conducive to better transmission of signals.
Though not revolutionary, the technology could give Apple an extra edge to help it stay competitive with rivals like Samsung that have already released devices with wireless charging capabilities.
It’s possible Apple could team up with a major chip-maker like Broadcom or Qualcomm, both of which offer chips that support wireless charging technologies.
Should its extended wireless charging capabilities become a reality, Apple would join a host of other companies in the push to cut the cord and would find a small infrastructure of wireless charging stations already in place.
In 2014, high-efficiency antenna company NuCurrent announced a wireless antenna technology for Gill Electronics’ TesLink Through Surface Transmitter, which allows consumers to attach a transmitter to the bottom of any non-metallic surface – including tables and counters – to enable wireless charging in that location. NuCurrent’s solutions are compatible with multiple sets of standards, including those set by the AirFuel Alliance and the Wireless Power Consortium, as well as the Alliance for Wireless Power and Power Matters Alliance.
In January 2015, Starbucks installed wireless charging Powermat stations in several of its stores.
Additionally, wireless charging company Ossia recently announced the commercial release of its Cota system, which functions similarly to Wi-Fi to allow for non-line-of-sight wireless charging.
