Intel Demonstrates Cableless Computing Made Possible by Future Skylake Platform

At Computex in Taiwan this week, Intel demonstrated a variety of wireless accessories that will be enabled by the company's future Skylake processor platform, reports CNET. Reference designs for the Broadwell successor will include the possibility of eliminating all of the cables that currently connect to a personal computer, replacing both data and power cables with wireless options.

rezence-wireless-charging

Wireless Charging concept from Rezence

The demonstration by Kirk Skaugen, Intel's senior vice president and general manager of the PC Client Group, showcased a wireless display, as well as a computer with wireless docking and charging capabilities. Intel uses technology from A4WP's Rezence, which transfers power wirelessly using the principles of magnetic resonance, for its wireless charging solution.

The system can be installed under a table surface, with magnetic resonance capable of charging through 2 inches of wood. It can also charge any number of devices at the same time, unlike inductive charging technologies.

Skaugen demonstrated a table that charged a laptop, phone, headset and tablet all at once.

For docking and display purposes, Intel relies on Wi-Gig to govern the wireless data transfer. First outlined in 2010, Wi-Gig is an established wireless standard that uses unlicensed 60 GHz spectrum to provide data transfer rates up to 7 Gbps.

The technology is still in the early stages, with Intel's Skylake platform expected to debut in late 2015. Products natively supporting these wireless protocols will be available publicly sometime in 2016. Apple is not currently listed as a member of the extensive A4WP consortium, but the company is undoubtedly pursuing its own potential solutions and its use of Intel's chips in Macs means that it will be able to take advantage of the technologies packaged into the future Skylake platform.

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...

Top Rated Comments

Mac-Mariachi Avatar
150 months ago
Skylake? we´re getting there Skynet, we´re getting there.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
e-dan Avatar
150 months ago
HA! 2 inches of wood.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tankmaze Avatar
150 months ago
Intel is innovating, first the fanless design and now this.
great job Intel !
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yvonnemo Avatar
150 months ago
Apple makes a lot of money with their cables and power adapters. I'm sure they will take their time adopting this.

User experience is what they're after.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NT1440 Avatar
150 months ago
Apple makes a lot of money with their cables and power adapters. I'm sure they will take their time adopting this.

I don't think Apple is going to implement anything that requires installing power mats or other accessories throughout your home. Your devices will charge each other off a desktop.



http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2012/11/excellent-apple-nails-future-wireless-charging-system.html

Powermats and the like are just the players in the industry releasing a bunch of "me too" products when witricity has been doing this for years. I feel Apple's implementation (and Samsung has a very similar vision) makes more sense.

----------

And if you spill a liquid on the table, will you have a shocking experience?

No, it's magnetic coupling.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThatGuyInLa Avatar
150 months ago
Apple makes a lot of money with their cables and power adapters. I'm sure they will take their time adopting this.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)