6 ms·

Starbucks starts rolling out wireless phone chargers nationwide

61 points by trustfundbaby 12y ago

jackgavigan 12y ago
iPhone 6 to include wireless charging?
- hellweaver666 12y ago
  Starbucks and Apple have always had a close relationship... it may be a hint.
  - vemy 12y ago
    I guess the new iPhone might have Powermat support.
nodata 12y ago
Powermat? What uses that?
- Shivetya 12y ago
  Obviously someone high enough up in Starbucks to influence the position. Either they used it prior or were given enough incentive to use it now.
jessriedel 12y ago
Do HNers have an opinion about Qi versus PowerMat?
- crashandburn4 12y ago
  I have nothing other than personal lock-in (nexus 5) to Qi. that being said, I don't know if there are any phones that have powermat integrated, does anyone know of any?
- nodata 12y ago
  I know a fair few Qi users, I don't know any PowerMat users (I thought it was abandoned actually).
- theg2 12y ago
  As someone with a Windows Phone, I was excited to hear my local Starbucks had installed wireless charging last year and went to try it. Unfortunately it is PowerMat, something I've never seen anyone have. Seems like Duracell (they are the primary backer) is trying to make another push against the market.
- maxsilver 12y ago
  Qi is well supported in almost every wi-power device. Nearly every phone that supports wireless power today, already uses Qi, including already released devices from Samsung, LG, Nokia, BlackBerry, Motorola, and many others over the last two years. PMA / PowerMat is the odd man out. The only time I see it used is when Duracell pays for it (either in their own Powermat line, or their agreements with folks AT&T requiring companies to make Powermat devices like http://bit.ly/UwhZ2R http://bit.ly/UwhZ2R ) I was really hoping that this wouldn't end up being another drawn out compatibility war, and since 99% of the momentum and device support is behind Qi already, it seems efficient to let Qi win. Of course, if Apple releases PMA in the next iPhone, PMA will win by default, no matter how late they choose to release it.
- gdilla 12y ago
  PowerMat's resonance charging supports multiple devices on one charging matt, whereas Qi uses inductive charging which require more precise placement to charge. I think Qi may have resonant charging solutions coming up or out now, but you can see the better experience in a place like Startbucks would be resonance charging. It's much closer to don't-make-me-think.
  - chimeracoder 12y ago
    > PowerMat's resonance charging supports multiple devices on one charging matt, whereas Qi uses inductive charging which require more precise placement to charge. Both PowerMat and Qi use inductive charging[0][1]. There are some technical differences, but the two are separated more by licensing and legal/political reasons than by actual underlying functionality and technology. [0] http://www.dvice.com/2013-11-15/opinion-unnecessary-smartphone-wireless-charging-war http://www.dvice.com/2013-11-15/opinion-unnecessary-smartpho... [1] https://www.andrewmunsell.com/blog/fight-for-wireless-power https://www.andrewmunsell.com/blog/fight-for-wireless-power
- drzaiusapelord 12y ago
  Qi is everywhere. The problem is that Starbucks announced this project back in 2012 when Powermat was more well known. Google, and others, shifted from supporting pm to qi shortly after, I believe due to licensing costs, and now the market is full of android phones that use qi. I've been using it for my last 2 phones. Works fine with a cheap Energizer charging pad. Its simple and it works. I'm now at the point where I'm annoyed with fiddling with little connectors, especially if its late at night and I'm tired and keyed it the wrong way. Less damaged cables as well. While I'm skeptical it'll be used in public spots due to the potential of theft, its really nice to have at home. From a tech perspective they both use induction. The A4WP product uses magnetic resonance, but I don't think they have a sellable product yet, but in theory they could charge your phone from across the room. I think demos have only shown it work from a few inches away. This solution is very non-green considering the inverse sq law. I have a feeling that there will be pushback if people are wasting 2x or 5x the energy to charge their devices, as well as larger electricity bills. Not to mentionn, Joe User asking about "radiation." The war isn't over because Apple hasn't picked a side. I imagine they'll go with pm to be difficult and to hurt Android's qi based phones. "Oh, you can't charge here, its iPhone only," seems to be a narrative that helps sell the "exclusivity" of their devices. I also find it a little hard to believe that Starbucks would invest in all this technology without some kind of nod from Apple that this will be in their next phone. A4WP signed some agreement with PMA recently, so who knows whats going to happen here. It sounded like a desperate move to me, but now I'm not so sure with the starbucks roll-out and the Apple wildcard at play. http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/11/5398066/a4wp-and-pma-merge-tech-to-win-wireless-charging-war http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/11/5398066/a4wp-and-pma-merge...
  - chimeracoder 12y ago
    I was very excited by this title and incredibly disappointed when I read the actual article and saw that they're using Powermat. Given Starbucks's historical relationship with Apple, I'm fairly convinced now that this means that the next iPhone will have wireless charging through Powermat. Format and standardization wars benefit literally nobody (look at VHS vs. Betamax and Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD). In this case, it's even worse because it'd be fragmentation for the sake of fragmentation - from an end-user perspective, there's essentially no difference between the two[0], and the main issue is really patent royalties more than anything else[1]. [0] This was not the case with VHS and Betamax - there were clear differences between the two formats [1] http://www.dvice.com/2013-11-15/opinion-unnecessary-smartphone-wireless-charging-war http://www.dvice.com/2013-11-15/opinion-unnecessary-smartpho...
CmonDev 12y ago
Nationwide? In the nation of let's say Russia? Or the default nation?
- stingraycharles 12y ago
  I think it's acceptable for a US news source talking about a US company to imply that "nationwide" means the USA.
  - egil 12y ago
    However, it would be an improvement if the hn title could address an international audience.
    - seanmcdirmid 12y ago
      HN titles aren't allowed to deviate, even if the title lacks context, poorly done, or misleading. Also HN is primarily a US thing based on user base.
      - Jtsummers 12y ago
        HN titles can deviate, but you should be careful with the deviations. In this case something like Nationwide (USA) probably would've been fine. Make a post after the submission so that dang and other mods/admins can see your rationale for your change if you're particularly concerned. Worst case, they change it back on you.
  - pbhjpbhj 12y ago
    Do you think The Verge consider their market to be only the USA? They are using the www not the usw so far as I can tell. Truth is they make it quite clear which nation in the first line of the article - I think The Verge are a global news source [albeit, yes, with a USA focus] and that they're quite cognisant of that, given the rest of this article.
    - 12y ago
rahimnathwani 12y ago
I was in an airline lounge at SFO a few days ago. Alongside the regular power sockets were USB charging outlets. I tried to use one to charge my iPhone, but the current (or voltage?) was so unstable that my touchscreen went haywire and the device was unusable, just like when using super-cheap mains->USB adapters.
- freshfey 12y ago
  I just recently flew from Chicago O'Hare to CPH and there were multiple USB ports at a bar table (just after TSA at the international terminal) which work amazingly well (also: no lounge). I wish every airport had places like these.
  - natdempk 12y ago
    At a stopover in an airport in Sweden, they had password protected locking compartments with a multitude of chargers that you could leave your phone in for free, so that you didn't have to stay in one location while your phone was charging. I was a bit sleep deprived and almost forgot my phone, but other than that the convenience was great. Definitely something American airports should get.
    - reportingsjr 12y ago
      There is a cafe at my university (Univ. of Cincinnati) that has something exactly like what you are describing. I've used it a few times and it was really convenient. It has taken people a bit to get used to it though.
jsumrall 12y ago
Another way between standards. Hopefully this ends better than HD-DVD and the poor consumers who thought they were on the right side.
- JohnTHaller 12y ago
  Considering that Blu-ray is dying along with physical media anyway, I don't think there was a right side.
eevilspock 12y ago
If wireless charging is 100% secure, then it's the best way to go for public charging stations. USB cable is a potential path for malware.
- dublinben 12y ago
  You should be able to charge with a USB cable after you've snipped the data lines. At that point, it only provides 5V of power, and nothing else.
hengheng 12y ago
What's the wattage on these? AFAIR Qi is at 2.7W, which is not enough to sustain my Note 2's charge during browsing or video.
- reportingsjr 12y ago
  Looking at the wiki page and the spec on their website v1.0 of the spec is 5W of charging[1]. There is apparently a new one that either has been released or may be released soon that supports up to 120W. [1]: http://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/developers/specification.html http://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/developers/specificat...
piratebroadcast 12y ago
Weve had them in Cambridge MA for a while now- You have to have a special case to use the wireless charging station. I predict this getting a lot of press but wont be practically useful. If youre on the street going about your day and need a charge up, it is unlikely youll have the required case nearby.

61 points by trustfundbaby 12y ago

jackgavigan 12y ago

iPhone 6 to include wireless charging?

hellweaver666 12y ago
Starbucks and Apple have always had a close relationship... it may be a hint.
- vemy 12y ago
  I guess the new iPhone might have Powermat support.

nodata 12y ago

Powermat? What uses that?

Shivetya 12y ago
Obviously someone high enough up in Starbucks to influence the position. Either they used it prior or were given enough incentive to use it now.

jessriedel 12y ago

Do HNers have an opinion about Qi versus PowerMat?

crashandburn4 12y ago
I have nothing other than personal lock-in (nexus 5) to Qi. that being said, I don't know if there are any phones that have powermat integrated, does anyone know of any?
nodata 12y ago
I know a fair few Qi users, I don't know any PowerMat users (I thought it was abandoned actually).
theg2 12y ago
As someone with a Windows Phone, I was excited to hear my local Starbucks had installed wireless charging last year and went to try it. Unfortunately it is PowerMat, something I've never seen anyone have. Seems like Duracell (they are the primary backer) is trying to make another push against the market.
maxsilver 12y ago
Qi is well supported in almost every wi-power device. Nearly every phone that supports wireless power today, already uses Qi, including already released devices from Samsung, LG, Nokia, BlackBerry, Motorola, and many others over the last two years. PMA / PowerMat is the odd man out. The only time I see it used is when Duracell pays for it (either in their own Powermat line, or their agreements with folks AT&T requiring companies to make Powermat devices like http://bit.ly/UwhZ2R http://bit.ly/UwhZ2R ) I was really hoping that this wouldn't end up being another drawn out compatibility war, and since 99% of the momentum and device support is behind Qi already, it seems efficient to let Qi win. Of course, if Apple releases PMA in the next iPhone, PMA will win by default, no matter how late they choose to release it.
gdilla 12y ago
PowerMat's resonance charging supports multiple devices on one charging matt, whereas Qi uses inductive charging which require more precise placement to charge. I think Qi may have resonant charging solutions coming up or out now, but you can see the better experience in a place like Startbucks would be resonance charging. It's much closer to don't-make-me-think.
- chimeracoder 12y ago
  > PowerMat's resonance charging supports multiple devices on one charging matt, whereas Qi uses inductive charging which require more precise placement to charge. Both PowerMat and Qi use inductive charging[0][1]. There are some technical differences, but the two are separated more by licensing and legal/political reasons than by actual underlying functionality and technology. [0] http://www.dvice.com/2013-11-15/opinion-unnecessary-smartphone-wireless-charging-war http://www.dvice.com/2013-11-15/opinion-unnecessary-smartpho... [1] https://www.andrewmunsell.com/blog/fight-for-wireless-power https://www.andrewmunsell.com/blog/fight-for-wireless-power
drzaiusapelord 12y ago
Qi is everywhere. The problem is that Starbucks announced this project back in 2012 when Powermat was more well known. Google, and others, shifted from supporting pm to qi shortly after, I believe due to licensing costs, and now the market is full of android phones that use qi. I've been using it for my last 2 phones. Works fine with a cheap Energizer charging pad. Its simple and it works. I'm now at the point where I'm annoyed with fiddling with little connectors, especially if its late at night and I'm tired and keyed it the wrong way. Less damaged cables as well. While I'm skeptical it'll be used in public spots due to the potential of theft, its really nice to have at home. From a tech perspective they both use induction. The A4WP product uses magnetic resonance, but I don't think they have a sellable product yet, but in theory they could charge your phone from across the room. I think demos have only shown it work from a few inches away. This solution is very non-green considering the inverse sq law. I have a feeling that there will be pushback if people are wasting 2x or 5x the energy to charge their devices, as well as larger electricity bills. Not to mentionn, Joe User asking about "radiation." The war isn't over because Apple hasn't picked a side. I imagine they'll go with pm to be difficult and to hurt Android's qi based phones. "Oh, you can't charge here, its iPhone only," seems to be a narrative that helps sell the "exclusivity" of their devices. I also find it a little hard to believe that Starbucks would invest in all this technology without some kind of nod from Apple that this will be in their next phone. A4WP signed some agreement with PMA recently, so who knows whats going to happen here. It sounded like a desperate move to me, but now I'm not so sure with the starbucks roll-out and the Apple wildcard at play. http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/11/5398066/a4wp-and-pma-merge-tech-to-win-wireless-charging-war http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/11/5398066/a4wp-and-pma-merge...
- chimeracoder 12y ago
  I was very excited by this title and incredibly disappointed when I read the actual article and saw that they're using Powermat. Given Starbucks's historical relationship with Apple, I'm fairly convinced now that this means that the next iPhone will have wireless charging through Powermat. Format and standardization wars benefit literally nobody (look at VHS vs. Betamax and Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD). In this case, it's even worse because it'd be fragmentation for the sake of fragmentation - from an end-user perspective, there's essentially no difference between the two[0], and the main issue is really patent royalties more than anything else[1]. [0] This was not the case with VHS and Betamax - there were clear differences between the two formats [1] http://www.dvice.com/2013-11-15/opinion-unnecessary-smartphone-wireless-charging-war http://www.dvice.com/2013-11-15/opinion-unnecessary-smartpho...

CmonDev 12y ago

Nationwide? In the nation of let's say Russia? Or the default nation?

stingraycharles 12y ago
I think it's acceptable for a US news source talking about a US company to imply that "nationwide" means the USA.
- egil 12y ago
  However, it would be an improvement if the hn title could address an international audience.
  - seanmcdirmid 12y ago
    HN titles aren't allowed to deviate, even if the title lacks context, poorly done, or misleading. Also HN is primarily a US thing based on user base.
    - Jtsummers 12y ago
      HN titles can deviate, but you should be careful with the deviations. In this case something like Nationwide (USA) probably would've been fine. Make a post after the submission so that dang and other mods/admins can see your rationale for your change if you're particularly concerned. Worst case, they change it back on you.
- pbhjpbhj 12y ago
  Do you think The Verge consider their market to be only the USA? They are using the www not the usw so far as I can tell. Truth is they make it quite clear which nation in the first line of the article - I think The Verge are a global news source [albeit, yes, with a USA focus] and that they're quite cognisant of that, given the rest of this article.
  - 12y ago

rahimnathwani 12y ago

I was in an airline lounge at SFO a few days ago. Alongside the regular power sockets were USB charging outlets. I tried to use one to charge my iPhone, but the current (or voltage?) was so unstable that my touchscreen went haywire and the device was unusable, just like when using super-cheap mains->USB adapters.

freshfey 12y ago
I just recently flew from Chicago O'Hare to CPH and there were multiple USB ports at a bar table (just after TSA at the international terminal) which work amazingly well (also: no lounge). I wish every airport had places like these.
- natdempk 12y ago
  At a stopover in an airport in Sweden, they had password protected locking compartments with a multitude of chargers that you could leave your phone in for free, so that you didn't have to stay in one location while your phone was charging. I was a bit sleep deprived and almost forgot my phone, but other than that the convenience was great. Definitely something American airports should get.
  - reportingsjr 12y ago
    There is a cafe at my university (Univ. of Cincinnati) that has something exactly like what you are describing. I've used it a few times and it was really convenient. It has taken people a bit to get used to it though.

jsumrall 12y ago

Another way between standards. Hopefully this ends better than HD-DVD and the poor consumers who thought they were on the right side.

JohnTHaller 12y ago
Considering that Blu-ray is dying along with physical media anyway, I don't think there was a right side.

eevilspock 12y ago

If wireless charging is 100% secure, then it's the best way to go for public charging stations. USB cable is a potential path for malware.

dublinben 12y ago
You should be able to charge with a USB cable after you've snipped the data lines. At that point, it only provides 5V of power, and nothing else.

hengheng 12y ago

What's the wattage on these? AFAIR Qi is at 2.7W, which is not enough to sustain my Note 2's charge during browsing or video.

reportingsjr 12y ago
Looking at the wiki page and the spec on their website v1.0 of the spec is 5W of charging[1]. There is apparently a new one that either has been released or may be released soon that supports up to 120W. [1]: http://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/developers/specification.html http://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/developers/specificat...

piratebroadcast 12y ago

Weve had them in Cambridge MA for a while now- You have to have a special case to use the wireless charging station. I predict this getting a lot of press but wont be practically useful. If youre on the street going about your day and need a charge up, it is unlikely youll have the required case nearby.