Apple Inc. (AAPL) is working with partners in the United States and Asia to develop new wireless charging technology that could be organized on its mobile devices as soon as next year, people said who were familiar with the matter.
According to the people who asked not to be identified as the details are private. The company is determining cutting-edge technologies that would allow iPads and iPhones to be powered from further away than the accusing mats used with present smartphones. The iPhone maker is observing to overcome technical barriers counting loss of power over distance with a decision on employing the technology still being considered.
With iPads and iPhones spawning more than three quarters of the company’s revenue, new technologies can give its devices an edge and help the company sell products at a premium in a slowing market. Samsung Electronics Co., Google Inc. and Sony Corp. are among competitors that have released wirelessly-charged smartphones that still necessitate proximity to a charging plate.
Efficiency of power transfer declines as the distance between receiver and transmitter increases, which means batteries take greater time to recharge. A spokeswoman from Apple, Trudy Muller, denied to comment.
Apple made a patent application in 2010 outlining a concept of using an iMac personal computer as a hub for wirelessly recharging at a distance of about 1 meter using a technique called near-field compelling resonance. Apple presently uses alike technique, named induction, to charge its Watch within millimeters of the power source.
Apple has previously played down its concentration in any charging technology that still needs to be plugged into a wall socket since such approaches would add little expediency.
