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Apple Testing Induction, Solar, and Motion Charging for Curved-Glass iWatch

Sunday February 2, 2014 6:05 pm PST by Eric Slivka
Apple is exploring a variety of different charging methods for its upcoming "iWatch" smart watch project, according to a report from The New York Times. At the top of the list for Apple appears to be induction charging, allowing users to recharge their watches wirelessly.
For its wristwatch, Apple has been testing a method to charge the battery wirelessly with magnetic induction, according to a person briefed on the product. A similar technology is already used in some Nokia smartphones — when a phone is placed on a charging plate, an electrical current creates a magnetic field, which creates voltage that powers the phone.
ipod_nano_watchface_wrist
Apple's sixth-generation iPod nano with one of several included watch faces

Other options for Apple include solar and movement-based charging, although it appears those ideas may still be several years from becoming practical. The report also reiterates the newspaper's claim from last year that the iWatch will feature a curved glass display.
Apple has also experimented with new power-charging methods for a potential smartwatch, people close to the efforts said, though such experiments are years from becoming a reality. The watch is expected to have a curved glass screen, and one idea is to add a solar-charging layer to that screen, which would give power to the device in daylight, they said.

Another experiment at Apple has involved charging the battery through movement, a method that is already used in many modern watches. A person’s arm swinging could operate a tiny charging station that generates and pushes power to the device while walking, according to a patent filed by Apple in 2009.
The report notes that with battery technology improving relatively slowly, Apple has focused on improving power efficiency of various components in its devices, as seen with the latest generation of the MacBook Air.

iPod creator and Nest co-founder Tony Fadell is also quoted as confirming that Apple had explored solar charging for the iPhone and iPod for a number of years, but the technology proved infeasible due to users storing the devices in pockets and other dark places for extended periods of time.

For the iWatch, Apple has been working on flexible new battery designs and looking at new charging technologies, but battery life has reportedly continued to be one of the sticking points for Apple as it seeks to create a powerful smart watch capable of lasting several days between charges.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5
Tag: nytimes.com
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
[ 114 comments ]


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taptic
68 months ago
As long as it leaves the Galaxy Gear in the dust... but then, Apple could make something like that by accident.
Rating: 16 Votes
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HiRez
68 months ago
In other words, you won't see the "iWatch" until at least 2015.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Jacksonc
68 months ago

As long as it leaves the Galaxy Gear in the dust..


Anybody can do that. :p
Rating: 8 Votes
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doelcm82
68 months ago

What I want the iWatch to be:


Be careful what you wish for:
Rating: 7 Votes
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AngerDanger
68 months ago
Hmm, if it means longer usage, I'd be more than happy to get a small lightinging port installed on my wrist for the iWatch to run off. It would also nullify the need for a strap…

Rating: 6 Votes
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ElTorro
68 months ago
Make it motion charged and design it for the right hand. Given the fan base, I predict it will never have to be connected to power.
Rating: 6 Votes
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APlotdevice
68 months ago

Movement based charging would not be that hard, hell Seiko watches have a Kinetic series where movement charges the battery and winds the mechanism - all they have to do is use the same idea and modify it - Im sure it would not be that hard to do.


I imagine the issue is with how much energy is generated. A smart watch obviously needs a lot more power than a conventional one.
Rating: 6 Votes
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gmanist1000
68 months ago
What I want the iWatch to be:

Rating: 5 Votes
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filmantopia
68 months ago

Yes because taking out the phone out of your pocket is really the hardest thing in life and you need a 250$+ to do that...


You don't get it. It's not going to be a smart phone on your wrist. Nobody wants that.

It's going to be a new class of product that has unique features which only something connected to your wrist at all times can do.

The biggest thing that I think you're not seeing is the fact that in 10 years time, the idea of holding a box in your hand to access all of this information will seem *absurd*. You will look like a cave man. Imagine someone today using a flip phone, or a portable CD player.

It's not about holding an object, and how 'hard' it is to do that. It's about being able to carry out tasks, like playing a guitar, eating, running, holding bags, etc., and still having access to information as it pertains to what you're doing. Sometimes I need to look up directions but my hands are occupied.

A free hand is a bigger deal than you think.
Rating: 5 Votes
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kalsta
68 months ago
What a step back to boring the 7th gen nano is compared to that little square one.
Rating: 4 Votes

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