Wireless Charging Coming to Intel Ultrabooks, Phones
Intel-based Ultrabooks and smartphones may get support for wireless charging.
The typical unnamed sources from the upstream supply chain are now reporting that Intel may inject its own wireless charging technology into Intel-based Ultrabook and smartphone specs in the second half of 2013. The Ultrabook itself will reportedly serve as the power source, using related software and a transmitter to wirelessly charge a nearby smartphone.
The included software, specifically designed for power charging, will supposedly offer features like checking to make sure the charging equipment is working correctly (self-diagnostics), smartphone charging control, equipment position tests and more. So far it's unclear as to what platforms this software will be compatible with although Windows 8 and Windows 7 are sure initial bets.
Data provided by Intel suggests that the compatible smartphone won't require to be in any certain position to receive the charge. Intel's solution will also feature lower power consumption on behalf of the Ultrabook -- meaning users won't see a dramatic drain on the system itself while the smartphone charges. Intel is even suggesting that the transmitter and receiver should be integrated together to lower production costs.
Notebook "players" have also thrown in their two cents regarding talk about Intel's wireless charging tech. They say that Intel's Haswell platform will probably not fully adopt the new charging tech. In fact, the experiment will likely not be seen but in just a few models in the second half of 2013. So far smartphone manufacturers haven't said a word about Intel's proposition.
Sources point out that there are several players in the industry already "aggressively" developing wireless charging technology. Japan-based NTT Docomo and Sharp have already launched smartphones with this type of capability, meeting the Wireless Power Consortium's (WPC) Qi standard. Unfortunately, the tech itself is expensive, thus driving phone prices upwards and scaring away consumers.
DigiTimes reports that Samsung was originally expected to launch a resonance wireless smartphone charger back in June. However, the device was pushed back to 4Q12 or sometime in 2013 due to performance issues. Meanwhile, the company is expected to release a magnetic induction wireless charger to take its place for the interim.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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kcorp2003 A few companies showed their products at CES 2012. i remember one of them show how you can convert any mobile phones into wireless charging if you have an ultrabook by using a piece of metallic strip on the battery to transfer the charge.Reply -
phatboe Wireless charging is such a waste. It's not like you can walk around on the street and have your devices being charged. Your devices need to be in very close contact with the charging device at that point really how hard is it to plug in your device. It really seems like a waste of energy.Reply -
master_chen I came with a force of a THOUSAND RAINBOW SUNS!Reply
It's like the Future, about which I have always dreamed of, is here now, at last.
Now I can truly say about myself that I live in the Future, in the 21-th Century.
Finally.
Up until now I always felt that something was amiss...but now, I can finally relax my mind on that issue.
Yes, we live in the Future, we live in the 21-th Century. Now I see it, finally.
More awesome things to come, this is only the beginning. -
master_chen moussengI'm not interested in wireless charging until it involves Tesla coils.Soon, my friend...soon.Reply
They already can charge phones via conductive panels...Tesla coils are only the matter of time now. -
irh_1974 phatboeWireless charging is such a waste. It's not like you can walk around on the street and have your devices being charged. Your devices need to be in very close contact with the charging device at that point really how hard is it to plug in your device. It really seems like a waste of energy.So we should wait until they perfect a long-range EPS grid that covers a whole town? No wait, cos then someone would bitch that a town isn't big enough and why not a whole state or country.Reply
Just be pleased that someone is doing this at all, if you can't see the convenience of having a wireless charger built into - for example - a coffee table, a fireplace, a desk - then you clearly have no magnificence in your soul.
Nothing happens in the tech industry without a thousand excruciating increments, this is just one of them and it's still pretty big. -
dalethepcman I would love to have wireless charging laptops. We could just install a wireless charge mat in our conference rooms instead of plugging in 15 different power cords.Reply -
master_chen dogman_1234Nikola Tesla would be proud.Too soon to celebrate. We still need to build those giant electromagnetic conduction rods and learn how to transfer energy with electromagnetic waves WITHOUT hurting living beings...ya know...or else we'll just turn our planet into big microwave oven and roast ourselves in a matter of seconds.Reply