Energous CEO makes tenuous reference to future iPhone as leading platform for wireless charging

Wireless charging company Energous has declared at the Consumer Electronics Show that its first wireless transmitters will ship before the end of 2017, and be embedded in "one of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world."

"I cannot tell you who it is," Energous CEO Steve Rizzone told The Verge. "But, I can virtually guarantee that you have products from this company on your person, sitting on your desk, or at home."

The company claims that it will demonstrate a wireless charger with a range of up to 18 feet, as well as a charging pad.

In December, Energous inked a deal to develop and market hardware components through longtime Apple chip supplier Dialog Semiconductor, suggesting a future iPhone might support similar technology.

Apple is Dialog's biggest consumer electronics contract, and is believed to account for more than 70 percent of the firm's revenues. Further, Energous in a recent quarterly conference call said "most, if not all, of Energous' early adopters are existing Dialog customers."

Under the deal's terms, Dialog is investing $10 million in Energous to become the firm's exclusive component supplier. For Energous, the partnership grants access to Dialog's sales and distribution channels

Energous has previously cranked up the rumor mill itself, however. In March 2015, the company revealed a development and licensing agreement with a "tier one" consumer electronics company, and name-checked Apple in a regulatory filing.

Energous was last at CES in 2015, and claimed that it would be shipping before the end of that year, as well.

Apple's 2017 iPhone lineup, said to be called either the "iPhone 7S" or 'iPhone 8," or both, are rumored to be incorporating some form of wireless charging technology.

23 Comments

jcdinkins 114 comments · 12 Years

About 7 years ago

Cool stuff, but does it really work? Today? 18 ft? Sounds amazing. Sorry for being skeptical but almost too amazing. We'll see soon enough I suppose.

mjtomlin 2690 comments · 20 Years

Makes me wonder where Apple might put the transmitters for this system? A standalone device? A smart speaker? A new "wireless" router for both power and WiFi? In their new desktop systems? A new Apple TV?

mtbnut 199 comments · 8 Years

jcdinkins said:

Cool stuff, but does it really work? Today? 18 ft? Sounds amazing. Sorry for being skeptical but almost too amazing. We'll see soon enough I suppose.

I'm with you, but I'm also of the belief that if Apple is going to roll out wireless charging, that it will not involve an iPhone sitting haphazardly on an ugly charging mat like every other solution to date. Apple might copy others, but they copy and "raise" the bet substantially.

"Our charging mat is made by Hermes," will not be a selling point.

"Hide this charger in your nightstand, and your iPhone will charge from anywhere within 20 feet," is sexy as hell.

I already have the keynote script:

Similar to Jobs' putting the iBook through a hula-hoop to prove wirelessly connectivity, Cook will walk up, pull out the iPhone, hold it in his hand. On the screen behind him is a mirrored feed of his iPhone. In the upper-right corner of the display we'll all see the battery icon; however, it'll be green and next to it will be a lightning bolt icon.

"Yes, my iPhone is currently charging."

Standing ovation.

ireland 17436 comments · 18 Years

Energous was last at CES in 2015, and claimed that it would be shipping before the end of that year, as well.
Amateurs. I'm reminded of a certain bullshiting fuel cell company. Stock pump and dump bullshit. Would love to see some guys like this go to jail.

rob bonner 237 comments · 12 Years

Also will cook a chicken at 9 feet!