Apple investigating inductive charging mat for docking portable devices

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  • Reply 21 of 66
    wovelwovel Posts: 956member
    vaelian wrote: »
    1 - That doesn't mean I didn't have the idea before and only brought it at that point because it was only relevant by then;
    2 - I had no prior knowledge of this patent, thus classifying this as a prediction, even if the patent was filed before my suggestion;
    3 - My point with this comment was to demonstrate, once again, that Apple's statement about inductive charging was most likely bullshit; they just didn't have the tech ready in time. The future shall tell...

    In a way you are likely correct. I also think Apple's statement was 100% correct. The way it works today is pointless. If they come up with some way to better integrate the concept than it may have merit. It is not only that Apple did not have the tech ready. No one has an inductive charging system with any practical value.


    On the point of your prediction. No matter how you look at it, public knowledge of your prediction occurred long after the event you were predicting took place. You can see why some people might question the value of the prediction.
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  • Reply 22 of 66
    jragostajragosta Posts: 10,473member
    The utility of taking up a lot of space on a desktop so that I don't have the plug in a Lightening connector to do the same thing?

    Meh.

    It goes beyond that. In addition to losing desk space, you have enormous energy losses. The best consumer products are something like 60% efficient and most are worse. When I calculated it a while back, that wasted electricity would essentially require one full scale GW power plant just to make up for the wasted energy.

    It takes only an instant to plug in a Lightning connector. You don't really save any time, you waste space on your desk, and you waste energy. Plus, you have to add bulk and weight to your phone. I don't see it ever being standard for Apple products.
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  • Reply 23 of 66
    wovelwovel Posts: 956member
    gazoobee wrote: »
    This is a ridiculous comment. Not only does Apple have other inductive charging patents filed years ago, and not only did Nokia in no way "think of this first," the concept of inductive charging is decades old.  

    It's almost as if someone just came out with a new car and you said "I see they are following in Ford's footsteps by using wheels ..." 

    In fact that were granted a pretty cool one in June too. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57461609-37/apple-wins-patent-for-inductive-charging-docking-station/ Apple's patents are all about doing more with inductive charging than just charging. Good stuff.

    Edit: Here is AIs first story on Apple working to patent devices with inductive charging: http://appleinsider.com/articles/08/11/13/apple_pushing_for_patent_on_versatile_tablet_docking_station

    It is from 2008.
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  • Reply 24 of 66


    I suppose this will come out right after I finally finish replacing all my 30-pin dock accessories with Lightning accessories.

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  • Reply 25 of 66
    jragostajragosta Posts: 10,473member
    charlituna wrote: »
    Given the number of patents they have filed, much less been granted, that they never did, I'll calling bullshit on your comment that they are doing this but just didn't have it ready. You have zero to back that up. In the end the future could show you are wrong.

    But that is Vaelian's style. Post some nonsensical drivel without evidence and then attack the people who ask you to prove it.

    For example, he's still insisting that he knows what went on in the Apple-Google negotiations yet refuses to provide any evidence.
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  • Reply 26 of 66

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by digitalclips View Post





    Agree 100000%


     


     


    If WiTricity is too far forward then lets go back and talk about inductive charging/syncing...


     


    There are many possibilities that can be implemented in.


     


    1.  How about turning the base of the iMac into an inductive charger/with sync?  It's in front of you, within reach and its always plugged in!  When a call, text, or a notification comes in it displays it on the screen.


     


    2.  How about integrating it into the MacBook case (on the cover or the palm rest)?  I can vision using a MacBook and placing the iDevice on the cover so that it can charge but when I open it to work it stays in place with the use of magnets. When a call, text, or a notification comes in it displays it on the screen.  Make it configurable so that when its not plugged in you are prompted to charge from the battery, sync or neither.

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  • Reply 27 of 66


    Inductive charging is a gimmick, period. Give me Tesla's vision or don't waste my time at all. 


     


    I'm sure Apple did this for a reason less evident than what the patent itself says.

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  • Reply 28 of 66


    I wonder if it will also keep my coffee warm!

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  • Reply 29 of 66

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gazoobee View Post


     


    Actually only *slightly* different from inductive charging, and not likely to work over any kind of large distances or in a real-life situation for many years (if at all).  


     


    Now, if someone could make Tesla's ideas actually work, that would be wireless electricity.  



     


     


    I wasn't thinking of a large distance application. I was more thinking of removing the cable from the charging unit.   Think of just the WiTricity technology within a small A/C adapter with a small range say 10-20ft.  Currently I charge all my iDevices on a counter in the kitchen that probably won't change as it is a convient location for everyone, I would just rather not to deal with multiple charging cables.


     


    Heck, integrate WiTricity into an Airport Express so when your on travel you can charge and provide wireless all in one unit!


     


    I understand WiTriciy is a ways away but....soon it will be a totally wireless world!

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  • Reply 30 of 66


    It'd be more interesting if they build it into their existing products. e.g. the stand of an iMac, somewhere out of the way on a macbook, the top of a mac mini, etc.

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  • Reply 31 of 66
    jragostajragosta Posts: 10,473member
    hjsimpson wrote: »

    I wasn't thinking of a large distance application. I was more thinking of removing the cable from the charging unit.   Think of just the WiTricity technology within a small A/C adapter with a small range say 10-20ft.  Currently I charge all my iDevices on a counter in the kitchen that probably won't change as it is a convient location for everyone, I would just rather not to deal with multiple charging cables.

    Heck, integrate WiTricity into an Airport Express so when your on travel you can charge and provide wireless all in one unit!

    I understand WiTriciy is a ways away but....soon it will be a totally wireless world!


    The only problem is that wireless charging at that distance would be hopelessly inefficient. Your electric bill for charging such devices would at least quadruple (probably more) and you'd need a lot of new GW-scale power plants to supply all the wasted energy.

    Really bad idea.
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  • Reply 32 of 66
    Did we not Diss this when iphone 5 didn't have it?
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  • Reply 33 of 66
    MacPromacpro Posts: 19,873member
    jragosta wrote: »
    The only problem is that wireless charging at that distance would be hopelessly inefficient. Your electric bill for charging such devices would at least quadruple (probably more) and you'd need a lot of new GW-scale power plants to supply all the wasted energy.
    Really bad idea.

    Didn't see mention of that at the TED show from their web site. Do you have actual data on this on this from the MIT work?
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  • Reply 34 of 66

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


    Inductive charging is a gimmick, period. Give me Tesla's vision or don't waste my time at all. 


     


    I'm sure Apple did this for a reason less evident than what the patent itself says.





    To troll Nokia?


     


    Strange that taking 2 existing technologies and slapping them together can constitute a new patent... 

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  • Reply 35 of 66
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,741member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by digitalclips View Post





    Didn't see mention of that at the TED show from their web site. Do you have actual data on this on this from the MIT work?


    http://gigaom.com/cleantech/toyota-teams-up-with-witricity-for-wireless-car-charging/

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  • Reply 36 of 66


    Originally Posted by stniuk View Post

    Did we not Diss this when iphone 5 didn't have it?


     


    I'm still dissing it. I'll diss it even if Apple makes a product with it. Inductive charging is not the way to go.





    Originally Posted by Mikeb85 View Post

    Strange that taking 2 existing technologies and slapping them together can constitute a new patent... 


     


    Funny, that sounds like how all new inventions are made. But it's not what is happening here.

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  • Reply 37 of 66
    jeffdmjeffdm Posts: 12,953member
    Unless the charging loop can be built into a surface unobtrusively, I really don't see much benefit. When you use a cord to charge and you're done, the cord can be set aside easily and it doesn't bother anything. With a charging mat, that matt takes up space on the table, desk, night stand, etc. The mats are not as portable either.
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  • Reply 38 of 66

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gazoobee View Post


     


    Actually only *slightly* different from inductive charging, and not likely to work over any kind of large distances or in a real-life situation for many years (if at all).  


     


    Now, if someone could make Tesla's ideas actually work, that would be wireless electricity.  



     


    Hmm. Nokia did research and some prototypes on charging via normal radiowaves that are all around us to increase battery life probably some six years or so ago. Isn't that "wireless" electricity?

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  • Reply 39 of 66

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JeffDM View Post



    Unless the charging loop can be built into a surface unobtrusively, I really don't see much benefit. When you use a cord to charge and you're done, the cord can be set aside easily and it doesn't bother anything. With a charging mat, that matt takes up space on the table, desk, night stand, etc. The mats are not as portable either.


     


    Some airports in Europe already offer charging loops integrated into the desks of cafe's. You just borrow a loop with your device's charging connector and presto!


     


    I've seen this at least in Copenhagen, LHR and Helsinki

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  • Reply 40 of 66
    bigpicsbigpics Posts: 1,397member


    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wovel View Post



    It is not only that Apple did not have the tech ready. No one has an inductive charging system with any practical value.


    My inductively charged toothbrush (from over ten years ago, btw) begs to disagree...


     

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jragosta View Post





    It goes beyond that. In addition to losing desk space, you have enormous energy losses. The best consumer products are something like 60% efficient and most are worse. When I calculated it a while back, that wasted electricity would essentially require one full scale GW power plant just to make up for the wasted energy.

    It takes only an instant to plug in a Lightning connector. You don't really save any time, you waste space on your desk, and you waste energy. Plus, you have to add bulk and weight to your phone. I don't see it ever being standard for Apple products.


    I tend to agree with most of your posts, but in this case the devil's in the details over time.  Today you're likely right - but with advances even just a few years down the road the variable values may change significantly.


    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Maury Markowitz View Post


    The utility of taking up a lot of space on a desktop so that I don't have the plug in a Lightening connector to do the same thing?  Meh.


     

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by arlomedia View Post


    I suppose this will come out right after I finally finish replacing all my 30-pin dock accessories with Lightning accessories.



    Too true one imagines! (And it's also true Apple won't do this until it can be done without increasing their devices' famed thin and lightness).



    However, one thing the article (and few posters) doesn't address is whether such a mat could be used for multiple devices simultaneously, e.g., your phone and tablet, or several family phones/tablets/iPods, etc.  (and if they were feeling ecumenical, or a third party could release one that could accommodate devices like cameras, hand-held gaming machines, etc., from other manufacturers) - in which case we'd be headed for simply doing away with a whole plethora of wires, docks, adapters, dongles, et al.

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