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[PhantomX1313]

http://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...patent-wireless-charging-wifi-millimeter-wave

A new patent filing by Apple indicates that the company is investigating the possibility of one day wirelessly charging devices over a variety of radio frequencies, including cellular (between 700 MHz and 2700 MHz), Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and millimeter wave (between 10 GHz and 400 GHz), as spotted by Apple Insider.

The patent, titled “Wireless Charging and Communications Systems With Dual-Frequency Patch Antennas,” details how devices could use beamforming antennas (similar to those used on the company’s existing AirPort Extreme router) to locate where a device is physically located and focus the signal there for improved range and charging speeds.

Remember: this is only a patent
In addition to the more general antenna bands, the patent also specifically cites transmitting power through the 60 GHz wavelength used by the WiGig 802.11ad standard, which makes sense as a high-frequency choice given that WiGig is a formalized standard that is likely closer to hardware adoption than other millimeter wave solutions.

Obviously, it’s worth noting that this is only a patent, not an indication that Apple is actually working on a magical router that can give you gigabit Wi-Fi while simultaneously charging your iPhone from across a room. Still, the idea of doubling up the antennas used for Wi-Fi and cellular data to wirelessly charge devices is a clever one, even if true long distance wireless charging is still a long way away from practical day-to-day use.

That'd be pretty cool..

 

[possiblyphil]

get rich or infringe on spectrum trying

 

[Yoshimitsu126]

I still don't understand how wireless charging works.

This message was written on an iPhone.

 

[Bsigg12]

Reminds me of the Disney power room thing

http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=1346249&page=1

 

[neptunes]

I wonder if we'll live long enough to see this become a reality

 

[XGRaViSmOrSX]

Cant wait for the iPhone 20. They haven't even added inductive charging to their devices yet.

 

[HeisenbergLannister]

$80 a month for 250MB of charging data available each month at Verizon!

 

[ElMexiMerican]

I thought this sounded familiar, and then I remembered this article from Wired where researchers had just started figuring out how to do this, although the charging was incredibly slow.

If Apple has managed to figure out how to make the charging pretty speedy, this is going to be amazing.

 

[FyreWulff]

I still don't understand how wireless charging works.

This message was written on an iPhone.

Induction

 

[Juice]

Cant wait for the iPhone 20. They haven't even added inductive charging to their devices yet.

One doesn't naturally lead to the other. If they don't believe inductive charging is a big enough improvement they'll happily leapfrog it to something better.

 

[Stinkles]

I still don't understand how wireless charging works.

This message was written on an iPhone.

Chemtrails

 

[adamsappel]

I thought this sounded familiar, and then I remembered this article from Wired where researchers had just started figuring out how to do this, although the charging was incredibly slow.

If Apple has managed to figure out how to make the charging pretty speedy, this is going to be amazing.

This is just Apple patenting the idea, I think. Which it sounds like Apple didn't invent, so...innovation?

Sent on my iMac beside my iPhone

 

[FyreWulff]

Chemtrails

induction chemtrails

 

[ZOONAMI]

At least give us fast charging

Biggest thing I miss about android is the fast charging. Phone dies and I gotta wait fucking hours.

 

[XGRaViSmOrSX]

One doesn't naturally lead to the other. If they don't believe inductive charging is a big enough improvement they'll happily leapfrog it to something better.

While that's true, Apple hasn't exactly been quick on the uptake when adding hardware features to their devices. At this point they are removing things instead of adding (headphone jack?). Actual wireless charging is still a ways away, this is just them preparing for that eventuality with a patent.

 

[Josh7289]

Shit's crazy.

 

[Zeyphersan]

Even if it's a slow charge, being able to have your devices get a few percent higher while just existing in a room is exciting in my book

 

[jellies_two]

There was a stupid snake oil product at a CES that was supposed to charge your devices from the ambient wifi networks in the room. Like a dock or case or something. Except the math didn't work out.

Not sure the tin foil people will be comfortable with directed high power mm waves..

 

[Allforce]

At least give us fast charging

Biggest thing I miss about android is the fast charging. Phone dies and I gotta wait fucking hours.

iPhones don't have this? I thought they invented it.

That's crazy, I can't imagine NOT charging my phone completely in like 40 minutes.

 

[Angry Grimace]

iPhones don't have this? I thought they invented it.

That's crazy, I can't imagine NOT charging my phone completely in like 40 minutes.

They have 2 amp charging but it isn't an advertised feature. You have to go out of your way to get a compatible charger.