Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) may take wireless a step further. In a report from Digititmes, both companies are offering wireless capabilities on their smartphones. What the sources didn’t say, however, is whether it would be a feature in the phone or an extra accessory.
The industry sources report that, “Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) is expected to adopt Qi wireless charging technology run by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for its next flagship model, the Galaxy S IV. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is likely to adopt the wireless charging technology developed internally, but it remains unknown if the next-generation iPhone will come with built-in wireless charging capability or with other attached accessories.”
It’s reported that Samsung Galaxy S4 will support Qu wireles charging technology. This feature is already used by companies like Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V). The S4 may actually have this feature, it may actually require users to purchase a back cover in order to access a charging pad.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) may or may not add a wireless charging feature on the iPhone 5s. Last year, Apple’s senior vice president expressed his doubts about the so-called convenience of using wireless chargers since most chargers have to be plugged in to either a wall outlet or other device. However, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has shown interest in the new technology as they filed for a patent application in November and another, more secure, patent application earlier this year.
As it turns out, some accessory makers are already offering specially made cases for wireless charging iPhones.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is expected to debut later on this month while the iPhone 5s is rumored to make debut in August. It’s also possible the iPhone could debut even later as most iPhones tend to launch later in the year.
Wireless charging could be a revolutionary feature for the future of technology.