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For anyone interested in the challenges of true wireless charging (i.e., actual wireless, not induction-based), I highly recommend this blog from Paul Reynolds,

For anyone interested in the challenges of true wireless charging (i.e., actual wireless, not induction-based), I highly recommend this blog from Paul Reynolds, who formerly led engineering at ubeam: https://liesandstartuppr.blogspot.com https://liesandstartuppr.blogspot.com

unethical_ban 8y ago
Could you explain how charging without cables, via induction, is not wireless? I can't click that link at work (uncategorized by proxy).
- Swizec 8y ago
  It’s wireless but not touchless. Some (many?) people conflate “wireless” and “over-the-air” charging. You can do OTA charging but that’s a tesla coil and not very safe.
  - Hamuko 8y ago
    >Some (many?) people conflate “wireless” and “over-the-air” charging. Probably doesn't help to name your product "AirPower".
  - penagwin 8y ago
    Induction doesn't require any contact what so ever. It works through cases, and will work even if you hold your device over the charger with air in between. Now induction certainly has it's own set of compromises, orientation being a big one, not to mention many implementations don't have great ranges. But yes, induction itself is "contactless" and is OTA.
- txcwpalpha 8y ago
  When most people think "wireless", they probably associate it with things like wireless phones, wireless headphones, wireless speakers, etc. Things that can be carried around freely and their usability isn't restricted by not being connected to a wire. Imagine if to use "wireless" headphones, you had to hold them within 1 cm of an induction loop that transmitted the audio, otherwise they just played static. I wouldn't really consider those to be wireless in the same sense as a set of AirPods. At least that's the impression I got when I read "true wireless" in GP's comment.
minimaxir 8y ago
The problems with AirPower (likely multiple charging coils) are much different than the problems with uBeam (trying to circumvent the laws of physics).
- erobbins 8y ago
  I forget about ubeam all the time, and once a year or so some article comes up and I'm reminded about them and how utterly stupid people have to be to have given them a single dollar much less millions.

unethical_ban 8y ago

Could you explain how charging without cables, via induction, is not wireless? I can't click that link at work (uncategorized by proxy).

Swizec 8y ago
It’s wireless but not touchless. Some (many?) people conflate “wireless” and “over-the-air” charging. You can do OTA charging but that’s a tesla coil and not very safe.
- Hamuko 8y ago
  >Some (many?) people conflate “wireless” and “over-the-air” charging. Probably doesn't help to name your product "AirPower".
- penagwin 8y ago
  Induction doesn't require any contact what so ever. It works through cases, and will work even if you hold your device over the charger with air in between. Now induction certainly has it's own set of compromises, orientation being a big one, not to mention many implementations don't have great ranges. But yes, induction itself is "contactless" and is OTA.
txcwpalpha 8y ago
When most people think "wireless", they probably associate it with things like wireless phones, wireless headphones, wireless speakers, etc. Things that can be carried around freely and their usability isn't restricted by not being connected to a wire. Imagine if to use "wireless" headphones, you had to hold them within 1 cm of an induction loop that transmitted the audio, otherwise they just played static. I wouldn't really consider those to be wireless in the same sense as a set of AirPods. At least that's the impression I got when I read "true wireless" in GP's comment.

minimaxir 8y ago

The problems with AirPower (likely multiple charging coils) are much different than the problems with uBeam (trying to circumvent the laws of physics).

erobbins 8y ago
I forget about ubeam all the time, and once a year or so some article comes up and I'm reminded about them and how utterly stupid people have to be to have given them a single dollar much less millions.