Filed under: Rumors
Rumors: Docking and Charging by Induction
Apple Insider uncovered a pretty futuristic Apple patent filing that discusses inductive, optical and wireless devices for transferring data and power without physical contact. The filing talks about how inductive coils, which can be hidden from view, fit more in line with Apple aesthetics (look Ma, no visible ports!) and how they avoid the problem of exposed contacts which can oxidize or get dinged and bent over time. Induction is, as far as I can google, a pretty hot area of technology development, especially for transmitting data and power to implanted devices for bio-medical telemetry. I'm curious to see whether Apple follows through on this filing and what kinds of products get developed.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Victor Agreda Jr said 2:53PM on 2-16-2007
Powering via induction has recently become hot again, as our truly wireless fetish grows... But data via induction was around in the 80's. I had a Seiko UC-2000 watch that you could even program BASIC into, and it communicated with the base station using magnetic induction:
http://cdecas.free.fr/computers/pocket/uc2000.php
Good times. I still have the watch, but lost the base :(
Reply
justflie said 3:39PM on 2-16-2007
This isn't all that futuistic. Pretty nifty, but it's been done for years, even in such "untechie" devices as toothbrushes. I wouldn't mind having it in the iPhone though; just toss(read: gently place) the iPhone on my desk near my computer and let it sync and charge automatically. very nice.
Reply
5cents said 4:20PM on 2-16-2007
Induction charging has been around for a while now (in the market as well in in physics, it's not high tech in the least), Panasonic electric razors use them. Europe/Japan also has a nifty induction charger for a variety of devies. It looks similar to an Airport Express station. You set your devices on top of them and they charge (phone, camera, etc). I believe someone is putting out phone batteries than work via induction coils so you can charge your existing phone by just laying it somewhere.
Reply
Se7en said 4:26PM on 2-16-2007
"Futuristic"?
You've never seen a SonicCare toothbrush? They've only used something like this for..12 years or so?
Reply
Wheels said 6:17PM on 2-16-2007
When Apple introduced the Mag-Safe plugs for the MacBooks I wondered why those weren't induction based. That seemed like a no brainer to me.
Reply
Jim said 9:44AM on 2-17-2007
People have this common misconception that Apple only does latest, greatest technology and gets ridiculed when they mess with older technology. The truth is Apple is no stranger to using older technology. Apple's strength is in packaging clever, useful solutions. The ipod was nowhere near being anything late, breaking. It was all off the shelf parts.
While others may be using induction technology, it isn't used much in any way for the common masses. If it can be used, it sounds like it could be useful. The more cables we can get rid of, the better.
Reply