Rather than cook up its own unique version of wireless charging, Apple has instead decided to utilize the established Qi wireless charging method — an open standard run by the Wireless Power Consortium, which welcomed the news on Tuesday.
A newly leaked component shows what is clearly an inductive coil, claimed to be for the "iPhone 8," with an apparent female Lightning socket. But unanswerable questions surround the provenance of the part.
In an apparent breach of Apple's secrecy protocols, Wistron's chief executive told reporters on Wednesday that this fall's anticipated "iPhone 7s Plus" will add wireless charging, and also improve on the water resistant design introduced with the iPhone 7 series.
A new report sheds some doubt on Apple's "iPhone 8" including Energous wireless charging at-range technology, and suggests that it will either use the Qi or the Airfuel protocols.
Disney Research has showcased an automatic, unaided charging platform that would enable purpose-built structures — such as cabinets, rooms or even entire warehouses — to generate and deliver power to mobile receivers in close proximity.
With this year's flagship iPhone expected to be the first to boast wireless charging, Apple has officially joined the Wireless Power Consortium, the governing body behind the Qi charging standard.
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Neil Hughes
Mike Wuerthele
Josh Levenson
