The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple today that details how new brushing and polishing tools could be used to finish a wireless charging station.

While the application covers general polishing techniques for cylindrical and contoured surfaces, Patently Apple notes that the patent also details ways to create a space for an inductive charging coil, confirming that the tools are designed specifically for the creation of a wireless charging device.

wireless charging
In describing how the tools would work, the application includes multiple illustrations of a charging station used to provide electrical current to another device via inductive power transmission. An inductive transmitter coil wraps around a metal core and is designed to pair with a receiver coil and charge the battery in the electronic device.

Apple notes that the charging station could include an electromagnetically transparent support surface for the device to be charged, allowing it to sit on the station unencumbered and receive power wirelessly via the induction coupling technology. The charging station is also described as including a port for a USB-type connector cable to connect with an external power source, such as a laptop.

The patent application was filed in late 2015, and provides ample evidence that Apple's engineering teams continue to investigate wireless charging solutions. Indeed, Apple has had an interest in the technology ever since the first iPhone, gaining patents for wireless charging stations and wireless charging via near field magnetic resonance, which wirelessly charges a device within a certain region.

Earlier this year, one rumor source suggested the iPhone 7 would feature wireless charging as well as better waterproofing and no headphone jack. However, that report warned that the charging feature could be pulled from the iPhone 7 for a future iteration of the device, since Apple was still working on the technology.

Indeed, only two of the aforementioned features were ultimately realized this week, indicating Apple may have purposely held back the charging technology in order for it to be included in its tenth anniversary "iPhone 8", said to be debuting next year.

The suggestion will undoubtedly grate for some readers, given that this would have been the perfect solution for charging an iPhone and listening to music through wired headphones at the same time, rather than using the more cumbersome charging dock method suggested by Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller.

Back in September 2012, however, Schiller said that Apple wasn't sure of how convenient the then-current state of wireless charging technology was, since most wireless charging systems had to be plugged into a wall. This may explain why Apple is still exploring the technology. Indeed, the company has shown an interest in WiTricity's wireless charging tech, which uses a "hidden charging" method that allows magnetic fields to wrap around barriers, which would allow users to place their charging pads wherever they want.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

srharris22 Avatar
92 months ago
Wireless charging would be nice for me so I can eliminate the cords at my bedside that the cats like to chew on. :p
How do you get rid of the wires, since the charging unit has to be plugged in?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dugbug Avatar
92 months ago
I wish they fixed less on brushing and polishing and more on technology.
Huh? iPhone is jam packed.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SandboxGeneral Avatar
92 months ago
i'm not sure i'd want a wireless charger next to my head while sleeping..
I don't see how it would be much different than having a cell phone or wifi device in the same room. Radio waves are everywhere, from AM/FM, TV, WiFi, BT, cellular, HF, UHF, VHF, public safety systems, and so forth.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
92 months ago
I'd bet my bottom dollar that this'll be in the 2018 model. 2017 one is going to be the 7S with full waterproofing.
[doublepost=1473417091][/doublepost]
I wish they fixed less on brushing and polishing and more on technology.
You mean like those A-series CPUs that completely spank the competition?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dydegu Avatar
92 months ago
Wireless charging would be nice for me so I can eliminate the cords at my bedside that the cats like to chew on. :p
Introducing CatSafe.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mactendo Avatar
92 months ago
I wish they fixed less on brushing and polishing and more on technology.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
Apple Watch Edition Gold 2015

Original Apple Watch is Now Obsolete, Including $17,000 Gold Model

Monday October 2, 2023 9:15 am PDT by
All first-generation Apple Watch models released in 2015 were added to Apple's obsolete products list on September 30, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors. As a result, these outdated "Series 0" watches are no longer eligible for repairs or other service at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Provider locations. The list of obsolete models includes the first-generation...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Mac Trade-In Changes May Indicate New Model to Launch This Month

Tuesday October 3, 2023 6:30 am PDT by
Apple may be proceeding with plans to release a new Mac model this month, according to potentially related information obtained by MacRumors. Details pertaining to imminent changes to Mac trade-ins provided to MacRumors by a verified source suggest that Apple will likely begin accepting new models for trade-in this month. Similar changes in June coincided with WWDC, when Apple began accepting...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...