A Brief Case for Wireless Chargers
A way to charge when stuck with your Apple loving friends
Since the dawn of the digital age, humanity has been connected at the hip, literally, by cables. “Plugging in” is as about a ubiquitous phrase for describing our modern society as any other. But now, thankfully, the popularization of fast power ups via wireless charging pads is finally here! As leading cellphone and electronics companies are equipping their flagship devices with wireless charging, it’s high time we explore the technology behind this innovation, how a wireless charging pad works, and why you need it!
What’s the Deal with Wireless Charging
If you’ve ever been to a science museum, you’ve probably already seen wireless charging first hand: the Tesla Coil, consisting of two towers, which transfers electricity from one to the other through the air. Now obviously, fast wireless charging is nothing as dramatic as this. Wireless charging pads work by transferring power from a base, which is connected through a cord to a power outlet, to your device. Direct physical contact is key — a base or pad can’t yet send wireless power across a room, but instead your cellphone needs to sit on top or be in touch with the pad.
After years of development, industry has arrived at a cross roads, a battle for supremacy like we witnessed with Betamax and VHS. Major companies are claiming their wireless charging sides between the Qi Standard pushed by the Wireless Power Consortium, used by more than 900 products, and the Power Matters Alliance standard (now the AirFuel Alliance) which is being adopted by big brands like Starbucks and General Motors. Thankfully, you may not actually need to choose between the two for personal devices — new cellphones, going back as far as the Galaxy S6, have adopted both standards.
When Convenience Calls
As more and more stores, companies, and spaces adopt wireless charging, the days of needing the right cable are numbered. As is fighting for a seat close to a wall outlet at the airport. Whether you are at home or in the office, you can simply and effortlessly place your phone down on your wireless charging pad-integrated table, desk, or Ikea furniture, and like magic, battery power will be restored. That’s certainly something to invest in if you’re designing your first smart home.
Safety and Future-Proofing
Wireless charging is actually safer as well. Every time you go to unplug your device from a socket, there’s an inevitable risk of shock. But wireless charging pads remove this potential altogether — no more worries about random sparks or jolts. It’s why electric toothbrushes have been using induction charging for years. Finally, wireless charging pads are available and usable for a range of products, not limited to cellphones. Think about the potential for wearables! Sure you can wear a portable solar panel, but with wireless charging, you won’t need to take off your smartwatch. Instead you can charge while you wear it.
Speed Is The Name of the Game
While not providing “speeds like you’ve never seen”, wireless chargers do hold their own when it comes to speed. No longer do you need to suffer the trickle charge of the dreaded 1A charger (the reason why you mom complains her phone takes forever to charge). Even better, the the recharge rate is only increasing. Case in point, Apple launched the iPhone X with speeds of just 5W. It was only after update to iOS 11.2 that users could enjoy a more competitive 7.5W recharge. Sure it doesn’t quite compare to Samsung, LG, and Nokia phones that support 10W, but it’s good for consumers as the speed is there for some fast recharging.
Parting Words
Wireless chargers have been around for sometime, yet it’s really been only in the last year that they’ve come in vogue. Whether it was Apple embracing the technology or the growing number of furniture and products integrated with wireless chargers, we’re just happy to have a way to power when we don’t have a cable handy.
RAVPower is a portable charging brand providing power to millions around the world. For power banks, wireless chargers, and more visit RAVPower’s Official Website or check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Blog channels.
