Inductive, Solar, or Kinetic Charging Might Be In Store For Apple's iWatch
Battery life has long been the bane of the mobile market, hamstringing laptops, tablets, and smartphones even as processors, graphics, and storage have increased in both performance and efficiency. Apple is reportedly tackling this problem head-on as it looks to other forms of power for its impending smartwatch device.
The New York Times has found that Apple is exploring options including solar power, inductive charging, and kinetic charging. The outlet spoke to Tony Fadell (he of iPod and Nest fame) who said that Apple has experimented with solar power on its devices for years (and still does), with limited success due to those devices rarely spending time in sunlight. That wouldn’t necessarily be the case with the so-called iWatch, though.
Image Source: concept-phones.com
A “person briefed on the product” also said that Apple has been testing magnetic induction charging for the iWatch, which is technology already in use in some devices from other companies, as well as through kinetic energy. With kinetic charging, which is technology already in use on some wristwatches, the device would generate a charge as the user moves.
Apple has also looked into a curved display and a curved battery for the iWatch.
Solar lid Macbook patent
More power (pun!) and godspeed to Apple and other companies working to find better ways to charge and power our many mobile devices. If we never have to coax a loose connection into keeping our smartphone plugged in overnight again or scurry around for an outlet in the middle of the day again, that’d be just fine.
The New York Times has found that Apple is exploring options including solar power, inductive charging, and kinetic charging. The outlet spoke to Tony Fadell (he of iPod and Nest fame) who said that Apple has experimented with solar power on its devices for years (and still does), with limited success due to those devices rarely spending time in sunlight. That wouldn’t necessarily be the case with the so-called iWatch, though.
Image Source: concept-phones.com
A “person briefed on the product” also said that Apple has been testing magnetic induction charging for the iWatch, which is technology already in use in some devices from other companies, as well as through kinetic energy. With kinetic charging, which is technology already in use on some wristwatches, the device would generate a charge as the user moves.
Apple has also looked into a curved display and a curved battery for the iWatch.
Solar lid Macbook patent
More power (pun!) and godspeed to Apple and other companies working to find better ways to charge and power our many mobile devices. If we never have to coax a loose connection into keeping our smartphone plugged in overnight again or scurry around for an outlet in the middle of the day again, that’d be just fine.
