Wireless charging comes to Apple's iPhone 3GS, thanks to WildCharge
By Darren Murph 
posted Jun 24th 2009 1:44AM
posted Jun 24th 2009 1:44AM
Envious of your Pre toting pals and that Touchstone charging rig? Don't sweat it -- WildCharge is coming through in the clutch to bring similar wireless charging technology to Apple's own handset. Starting today, iPhone (3G and 3GS included) and iPod touch users can order up a WildCharge Skin along with a WildCharger Pad in order to bring wire-free charging to their smartphone. Just slap the skin on, plug the pad in and toss the handset down on said pad. Just like that, you've got fresh energy flowing without having to scour the house for that little AC adapter. The pain? $34.99 for the skin, or $79.99 for the skin and pad.
I wish there was a standardized charging system. Someday I hope in the future my entire coffee table charges my 360 controllers, my ps3 remote, my zune, and all my tv remotes.
Amen
Micro USB has been agreed as a standardised charging system and will be used on most phones be 2012 however Apple have not signed up to it.
http://www.v3.co.uk/vnunet/news/2236598/mobile-industry-agrees-standard
This is it. Right now this device fixes a problem that I don't have. Plugging in the charger pad is nearly as much hassle as connecting the iPhone to a charger so the net benefits of this are low. However, when the charging pad can recharge other devices as well, ideally at the same time, then its benefits climb. What we need is a standardised process of recharging devices wirelessly so that new devices can use the "interface" and chargers that will work with anything can be integrated into all sorts of products, such as the mentioned coffee table.
Mighty, you missed the point. I was saying there should be a standardized wireless charging system.
Seriously, don't bother to charge the Zune and dump it in the bin where it belongs... Get an iPod, a Sansa, a Creative - Anything!
Just not that Zune.
Oh, damn....
Thanks Jean, I hadn't realized I disliked my zune. Thank you. You have changed my life. I wonder what other personal choices I've made are wrong.
My god, THANK YOU JEAN. YOU HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE.
@TipTup
"I was saying there should be a standardized wireless charging system" - actually you never mentioned wireless :)
Wow Jean is a douche...
ROFL @ your user name, Creepin' Jesus!
I want a magnetic electrical pony that I can stick devices to so that while they are charging I can comb my pony's silky mane.
Would it be safe to have one of these as a coffee table though? Those tend to have feet set on them, cats jumping on them, food and drinks set and spilled on them, etc.
If you want standardized, you need to stop purchasing Apple products.
They are the antithesis of standardization. Proprietary = Apple.
Seriously, is it so hard to just plug in your phone? This is way to useless
But in the future think of where this can work. I mean, sitting it down on your bench... it charges. Putting the phone on the console in the car, it charges... If they come up with a standardized system for this, it would be brilliant. We just have to wait a few more years till this becomes larger and more accepted, I bet everyone laughed when the 1st camera on a phone came out, but now almost every phone released has one.
I think it really depends on how you use your phone. It's actually kind of handy that I can put a touchstone on the nightstand, do all my last minute browsing/sms/random internet crap then just throw the phone onto the nightstand without fishing for the USB cable. Then the next morning, alarm goes off on the Pre, and I can just pick the phone up without worrying about pulling the cable and damaging the connector (which I have done so with my Nokia N810 "alarm clock")
....That and the USB port cover on the Pre is major pain in the ass to open and built like something that an ant can break it with ease.
Just think about all the different charger plugs, then you'll understand...
Wouldn't we constantly be getting static shocks? Peoples pace makers would go hay-wire! I think most batteries can only take a certain number of charges as well. I wouldn't want my iPhone to die just because I've put it down somewhere 20,000 times since I bought it.
If all this was fixed though, it'd be excellent. ;)
I just decided a while ago to go all Apple. So all the phones and PMPs in the house use the same charger, I have a clock on the night stand with a dock, I have a dock on my desk, I have a dock by the stereo in the living room, I have connectors in my cars. The iPhone isn't perfect, but having all your devices in the same ecosystem does have it's advantages...
I would just love to see your face when Apple changes their plug standard like f'in Samsung and LG phone seemed to do everytime you bought a new phone.
Apple did change the iPod plug before (two years ago I think), making many accessories useless.
@b3tan
From my knowledge, lithium ion batteries (the batteries used in new devices) actually prefer to be "topped up" all the time, and don't like being fully drained before they charge. These types of batteries would love touchstone's.
I'm pretty sure that if the touchstone would give you electric shocks it wouldn't be allowed in the community... At least I think ???
Imagine putting the charger under your seat. Every time you sit down it charges everything in your pockets.
^ including your ballz
looks like everyone is picking up with the pre's solution...
The next thing I'll be hearing in a few years is that apple started it all because obviously apple is the originator of all things innovation... and the appletards will flock together and sing a choir that it is true (even if the pre was the first cellphone to be integrated with this type of charging.......... )
but that's only an assumption, I might be wrong though.......
Now I just have to wait for them to do that for HTC phones.. maybe the fuze... pretty please?
The Pre uses induction, like toothbrushes have been using for years.
The WildCharge system just uses contacts arranged in such a way that when you put the phone down you always touch two contacts and thus it charges through contact, not inductively.
Oh, I never said the pre came up with the charging system, just that it's the first cellphone (that I know of atleast) that made use of this system.
Yes, the technology is different but the concept is the same right? to charge the phone without having to plug a connector into a slot.
but yeah..
btw what i said on the 2nd part of my first post.. is only just an assumption, may it be true or false in a few years, I would have to wait and see. :)
wow, did i already get the "apple 4 lyfe" crowd unhappy?
what a bummer.
No, Mike. I think you're getting low ranked cos you were wrong. The idiotic trolling statement didn't help your cause either, though.
wrong? how? I could've sworn i followed up with, this is only an assumption. most probably a joke if you didn't catch the drift. Good job at failing reading comprehension.
I also never stated that this will be the truth, but sure, I'm wrong because I made a comment.
You've already given me something to laugh about today.
Wrong about the type of charging, douche. Yeah, you backtracked on that once someone corrected you.
hahaha wow you really do suck at reading. I did not backtracked at all. If you read it carefully, i said it was the first cellphone that used kind technology (hint: charging without plugging anything in). not the first device ever. I also don't think you can edit your comments once you actually posted it, so i don't backtrack like you assumed.
way to fail. good day.
I am way more interested in wireless *syncing* than wireless charging. Seriously, how hard could it be for Apple to allow the phone to autosync whenever its on the same network as my Mac?
Interestingly the Missing Sync beta on the Pre will do that, and I thought they have a version for the iphone that will do wifi syncing too?
Dude, Apple is a rookie in the telephone business. Give them some slack. Its not like they are a computer maker.
@infoclipper
My Zune 30GB does wireless sync it takes my music to itself WITHOUT wires!
It's convenient and really makes me wonder why Apple can't do the same.
Odd.
Maybe they're saving it for the next revision so people will buy it too...huh I'm starting to notice a cycle.
As with all things Apple, it's a developer/software limitation more than anything. Jailbreak and you'll find your solution. Not ideal, but until Apple loosens the reigns a bit it's the best you'll get.
I'm with you on this one though. Although, saying that mine syncs via push with google anyway. I only need to sync with iTunes to add music which I don't do that often as there's already plenty on there. Contacts and Calendars, the things that do change go straight to google contacts and then in to iCal and Address Book.
I think to make this really work they need to make the attachment a case for the phone as well.
Or I could just leave the charging cable in the same spot I would leave the charging pad. Neither is going to move if I don't move them. When I need to charge, I just grab the cable and connect it to the phone.
Seems like just as much trouble as looking for the USB cable or charger.
Love it. I'm gonna send a VIDEO! from my 3gs of me charging my old iPhone 3g wireless to my one loser friend who bought a Pre. Pre meet coffin, coffin meet Pre. Its over and I love it.
hahaha jesus christ
As was said above, this uses a different method of wireless charging and still requires the use of an adapter. Meaning you need to find the thing and attach it. The Pre comes with it built in (although, I know do note that you need to replace the existing back plate). Please don't belittle what the Pre has done in terms of introducing a consumer electronic with the ability to wirelessly sync effortlessly to the mass market. It's really a wonderful thing.
What's over? You still have to put your iPhone in to one of the ugliest skins I have ever seen... you still have to pay 80 bucks for the charger and 40 bucks for each skin... you still have to explain to your friend why it doesn't uses an inductive system to charge the devices...is not really a clean and elegant solution, don't you think??? Come on, Pre TouchStone is still a nice "touch" from Palm and even Apple didn't think about it before...
Dude, take a shot to relax, and chase that with a nice tall glass of STFU. Maybe all the obnoxious Apple haters would disappear if clowns like you didn't bait them every post. This is clearly inferior to the Pre's solution since a.) Touchstone is built in with the Pre and b.) the Pre just changes the backplate while you need to add a thick skin to the iPhone.
Way too much money for something that is really a minor inconvenience. Same goes for the Touchstone as well. Until these things get down to $30 or so this will be viewed as a novelty, not a necessity.
Eh, the Pre's wireless charging is better. It's more elegant and doesn't need a case that has to engulf the entire phone.
Touchstone/Pre wins again.
>> "Touchstone/Pre wins again."
So, I guess Pre also wins against ALL other cell phones... because it has something the others don't?
You've made a big assumption there. Fail argument :(
Oh thank god.
I thought they'd figured out a way to charge you even when you're using Wifi.
I'll pass on this since you still need to plug the pad into an electrical point. If it does it over the air... ah! then we have something
Yes, possibly a fire. Or a medium rare cat.
Although wireless charging is convenient, it usually takes a hell lot longer. I just want to see everybody use USB first as a standard plug, then standardize wireless charging.
i'm watching kabuto right now and it's really good
Looks like a nutsack for your chin.
What a cheap knockoff of the touchstone. On the other hand great idea by wildcharge coming out with this device how many apple lovers would buy this and say this is better than the pre's touchstone and claim that apple has had this before the pre.
They only difference is that Apple products usually do come out first. Not always, but often enough. I think you are thinking of Zune users.
Wow! Now I just have to put askin with a nub on my phone! Is it really that hard to plug the phone into the wall? Either way the charge pad or the apple provided cable have to be plugged into the wall. Let me know when I don't have to plug cables into the wall to charge my phone. Then I will gladly pay for it.
I agree with the wireless sync. Countless phones have WiFi in them so why not use it for this obvious task? I would like a wireless over the air software update too. Devices like the PSP can do it. Seriously, make the PSP into a touch screen phone and you will have a good device. The provided skyle doesn't cut it.
What they need is inductive charging, going into a thin reciever (or possibly a replaced battery) inside the iPhone. Its pretty easy to get the battery out. Then, they need a cooler mat, and everything would be perfect!
What I was thinking of was MojoMobility charging pad. mojomobility.com
Love that Micro USB. My new LG Versa has it =]. Go LG. +1 i hated those special chargers.
haha, what a waste of $80
"Just like that, you've got fresh energy flowing without having to scour the house for that little AC adapter."
you can probably leave a regular AC adapter anywhere in the house so it's possible to lose it. Obviously this pad is supposed to be plugged in all the time and always left in the same place so you do not have that problem.
but that's just like leaving your AC adapter plugged in all the time and in the same place, just $80 more expensive, isn't it?
i want to charge my phone by sticking it up my boss' a$$
Lame...and then when you are done charging it you can put your original skin back on...lol
Oh, and one color choice ...black. nice selection.
Hideous!
@b3tan
From my knowledge, lithium ion batteries (the batteries used in new devices) actually prefer to be "topped up" all the time, and don't like being fully drained before they charge. These types of batteries would love touchstone's.
I'm pretty sure that if the touchstone would give you electric shocks it wouldn't be allowed in the community... At least I think ???
forgot to hit reply button!!! :(
LIons don't like to be topped up all the time. Neither do they like to be deep discharged all that much.
LIon chargers will only charge the battery about 1 hour out of each 24 if left continuously connected to power so as to not shorten the battery life.
Seriously... how much "easier" is it really to change your case for a skin every time you want to charge your phone? I'll stick with my dock, thanks.
Agree w/ InfoClipper, I want wireless synching far more than I'll ever care about wireless charging. I'd believe that most people only charge their phones in a couple of key places anyways. For me it's my nightstand and occasionally my car and/or computer (when I'm traveling mostly). What kind of user would realistically get any advantage with wireless charging. Are people really so disorganized that they have to "scour the house for that little AC adapter?"
I initially felt the same, im not interested in wanting to convert my phone to it, but if it ever becomes built in then fine, and say you go over to a friends or somewhere on holiday maybe (all hotel could have it in the rooms) and your phone needs topping up you just place it on the nearest charging mat. It should also come with the phone. Im not going out my way for it which is key im not desperate for it by if we want to move with the times I see no problem in it being built in.
Don't forget - these inductive chargers are VERY inefficient. While you may lose 1-2% (max) from a plug in charger due to resistance/diode effect, these chargers waste as much as 30% of the energy fed to them.
It's sort of how science gets left behind when it comes to the oxymoronic phrase "truth in advertising". I mean look at the BMW diesel push in the US, touting lower CO2 emissions than gasoline engines. That's true, but diesel also pumps out particulate matter that contributes to smog and respiratory tract illnesses...
yeah I've thought about the diesel vs petrol (or for you gasoline) thing. burning diesel produces other gases (I think a lot more NOx than petrol), but that's burning the same amount for each fuel. bear in mind that diesel cars can consume up to half of what petrol cars do so the total more harmful gases output should be about the same, roughly.
there was a graph comparing the products produced from different car fuels (including 10-15% methanol petrol) in car magazine (south africa edition, just happen to come across that) a year a two ago. pity i didn't take more note of it...
This charger isn't inductive.
Inductive charging is incredibly inefficient. This is about as far from green as you can get.
Oh my clients would be so pleased!
in 10 years time it should be standardised on most gadgets...
If we didn't have opposable thumbs I'd say COOL! But, we do and I can manage a 30-pin jack right nicely.
Hurray for wireless charging!