Wireless charging 2.0

Is multi–device wireless charging on the way?

And other shortcut stories from the world of Apple.

Wireless charging wa s one of the hot new features introduced in the iPhone X and iPhone 8 last year. At the time of writing, we’re still waiting for Apple’s AirPower charger, but a newly disclosed patent application suggests Apple is already working on next–gen wireless charging: “inductive charging between electronic devices” — that is, charging one device directly from another. So you could, for example, charge your iPhone and Apple Watch simply by placing them on top of your iPad. A drawing also shows a MacBook charging as many as eight devices at once, arranged on its lid, with only the MacBook plugged into a power source.

Unlike existing wireless charging technologies, the system could work both ways — each device could both send and receive charge. When you’re on the road, this could mean an end to lugging a bunch of chargers around with you.

Apple has a string of patent applications relating to wireless charging, going back to mid 2015, but as always there’s no telling when or if this idea might become a reality.