By Binu Paul email: b.paul@mobilenapps.com | Mar 08, 2013 09:48 AM EST
Tech titans Apple and Samsung are exploring all options to take that giant leap in the development of smartphones which would cement their market dominance further. This time the rumor has it that wireless charging capability will soon reach their flagship smartphones, the next-generation iPhone and Galaxy S4 respectively, possibly as early as in 2013.
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The hit-or-miss Taiwanese publication DigiTimes now reports that Apple and Samsung are following the footsteps of Nokia, LG and HTC to bring wireless charging solutions onto their smartphones. Citing industry sources, the report states that Samsung might team up with Qi inductive charging for such a solution while Apple is reportedly looking to develop its own version of wireless charging.
"Samsung is expected to adopt Qi wireless charging technology run by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for its next flagship model, the Galaxy S4, the sources indicated," DigiTimes reports. However, it's further detailed that Galaxy S4, scheduled to be officially launched on March 14, may not arrive with embedded wireless charging capability. Instead, users will be required to purchase replacement back covers for their devices for access to a charging pad.
The Cupertino-tech giant appears to be developing a wireless charging technology internally for its next-version of iPhone. However, it remains unknown if the next-generation iPhone, possibly iPhone 5S or iPhone 6, would feature a built-in wireless charging solution or offer other attached accessories.
"However, Samsung's adoption of the Qi standards may drive the technology to become mainstream for smartphones, outperforming those promoted by the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) and Power Matters Alliance (PMA)," the report states.
According to the source, major smartphone brands such as Sony Mobile Communications, Nokia, LG, HTC and Motorola Mobility are all members of the WPC.
Samsung had announced a wireless charging pad for Galaxy S3 way back in May 2011 and the pad made an appearance on FCC recently suggesting that the solution may hit the shelves soon. The wireless charging pad by Samsung is compatible with Qi wireless charging standard, is designed to work with its Galaxy S3 smartphone and has a special back plate. It was then rumored that Galaxy S4 smartphone would also support wireless charging.
"FCC published photos of the device, which looks exactly like the press images that Samsung teased at the Galaxy S3 launch event. From a technical perspective, the charger is a simple device, featuring inside a copper coil, a control board and a LED indicator," Android Authority had reported then.
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