Apple iPhone 5S To Have Wireless Charging, Unofficially

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While Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) fans have watched wireless charging capabilities go to competing smartphones, Apple itself has yet to deliver. Of course this is no big surprise given Apple’s delay in offering other features like LTE, near field communication and a bigger display. However, the iPhone 5S may soon be getting wireless charging capabilities, thanks to an unofficial project.

Ben Reid of Redmond Pie reports that a project on IndieGoGo aims to make wireless charging a reality for iPhone users.

iQi aimed at Apple’s iPhones

The new project is called iQi, and it is trying to bring wireless charging to the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5S, the iPhone 5C and the fifth-generation iPod Touch. Reid notes that there are some other wireless charging devices for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s project but says that the iQi device is sleeker and “less obvious” than those other products.

In fact, the device is almost as thin as a sheet of paper and will fit right under almost any iPhone case. When lined up with the Qi charger, then the device charges the iPhone wirelessly.

Will Apple ever officially offer wireless charging?

While many fans are still hoping for an iPhone with a bigger screen, the topic of wireless charging is another issue entirely. Since it will be at least next year before the iPhone gets a bigger screen, when can we expect Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to launch its own official wireless charger? It’s anyone’s guess, although there were rumors earlier this year that we would see this capability this year.

There was even a patent which showed off an iPad cover with wireless charging, although often designs revealed in patent applications never see the light of day. Right now Apple may be preoccupied with the new products it has just released, and wireless charging could be rather low on the priority list.

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