It is going to be solar, induction and motion battery charging for Apple's iWatch.
Processing chips have doubled in speed, display screens have got brighter and sharper, cameras in smartphones offer DSLR like quality but battery technology is still struggling to come out of its good old days. Apple is working to change that by integrating new charging methods into its rumored iWatch. The Cupertino tech giant is planning to enable inductive, solar and motion charging for the wearable gadgets, in turn maximizing the battery life, a latest report from The New York Times revealed, Sunday.
While the new technology in smartphones, tablets and wearables is welcomed by the consumers, long-lasting battery is a significant winning point for manufacturers. A N.Y. Times report claims that Apple is testing magnetic induction for its iWatch, a technology which is seen in some of the Nokia smartphones. Using this technology will eliminate the need to plug a wire to the smartwatch as it charges by simply placing it on a charging plate.
The tech giant is also looking into adding a new technology that will charge a device through movement. This is a promising approach as people are constantly involved in physical activities. According to the report, a person's arm movement will trigger a tiny charging station in the watch that generates power to the device. Apple had reportedly filed a patent for this technology in 2009.
"Battery technology advancements are lagging far behind advancements in mobile tech, while power consumption rate is increasing as consumers demand more from their devices," Meredith Perry, founder of uBeam, said in a statement to NY Times. "When wireless power is everywhere, battery life and charging rates will no longer be critical factors in mobile devices as our devices will always be charging."
Apple was earlier reported to be working on engraving solar cells in the sapphire glass screen for its next iteration of iPhone, the iPhone 6. Series of events and patent claims support such claims. By doing so, Apple will be able to minimize battery consumption and open new scope for other manufacturers to develop interest in the field.
