Wireless Phone Chargers

I am stuck in a plan for next two yrars. So the question is; does my Galaxy S2 quilify for that charging system.
Brad

Hi Bob, I am a big fan! A question regarding this technology: what are the security implications - will it be easier for someone to hack my phone if/when I use this device? Thanks!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't see any security implications here.

This is an interesting concept - I notice mention of a wide array of electronics but don't see Apple up there. Is there a device that works for iPhones, etc?

Thanks!

-AP

RE: Wireless Phone Chargers
Category: Mobile
Here is an interesting news piece regarding use of non-approved aftermarket chargers http://www.wfsb.com/story/26164448/aftermarket-phone-battery-burns

Hmmm...does this mean I may have to surrender my title as Wire Wonder Woman. I live in a bowl of black spaghetti. Bring it!!

I would really like to see a wireless phone charging system. We have seven wireless phones we use and everyone is always looking for a charger. The transformer refuses to work, the wires get broken, the plug for the phone loses contact. A wireless system would probably solve all these problems.

Please remember that magnetic Fields will erase magnetic media like cassette (magnetic) tape, magnetic strips on the back of credit cards etc.
So anything - Anything that holds magnetic media can and will be affected. Wireless is a good thing if wise consideration of your surroundings are considered.
Dave.

Bob - A take off from Shawns comment about security. I agree that wireless security as we usually think about it is not a problem - but - my understanding of this technology is you place the device near a charger station and leave it for awhile. So you do this while ordering your coffee and then return to grab your phone and find it .... gone. Seems like the old meaning of security will become important. You wouldn't lay your wallet down and walk away.

Wireless charging is certainly convenient but it is less efficient than a regular usb charger. I find it generates a lot more heat and takes considerably longer to charge. http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_without_wires

I own a wireless charging module for my Droid Mini. I don't really prefer it over wired charging for a couple reasons: 1. Charging is much, much slower. 2. The phone gets very hot. 3. Occasionally it just quits charging and I have to pick up the phone and realign it on the pad. 4. The pad takes up room and doesn't weigh much, so it often slides off the desk because of the dangling cord.

Hi Bob, I am in my late 70's. I have never been particularly technically knowledgeable about computers. So I have been appreciating your sharing of such a wide range of computer related information, warnings,etc. for at least a couple of decades. As in this phone chargers article,I often wonder, does this particular information apply to my specific Australian situation? Do you have the contacts in Australia to obtain this info?

This sounds very interesting. Maybe we may see the day when the “Nikola Tesla" experiments will eliminate all power lines. But then, again, the huge power suppliers would never stand still for that.

HMM ! Seems to me you still have to plug this thing into a wall to get current. If it is battery powered, you will still have to power it up some time, From the same old fashioned plugs in the wall. So, what is the advantage? Are we getting to lazy to plug into the same device we have always used, that is vary reliable and inexpensive? Looks to me like another device to sell, but of no real use of any advantage.

Format Wars are upon us once again: This time it is between Power Matters Alliance (PMA) versus Qi. Earlier this year, the PMA and A4WP announced a deal to adopt each others' technologies; enabling both to have resonant charging at distance, among other capabilities. AT&T's LG G3 phone is behind PMA and last I heard all of McDonald's in Europe are going to be [errrr...] wired for PMA wireless charging. As of July 2014, Starbucks appears to be putting their name behind PMA, as well. Such brand name endorsements of PMA may end up leaving consumers with Qi hardware high and dry.

It appears that the 2 standards may be using similar technology but different specifications that are not compatible: Qi (WPC standard) uses "inductive" charging. Whereas, the LG G3 (WPA format) is based on the "resonant" charging technology that seems to have been already adopted (standardized) in EU.

The magnetic resonant extension is [supposed to be] backward compatible for mobile devices already enabled for the more tightly coupled inductive charging now being used by Qi-style charging pads.

Both inductive and resonant coupling use two separate copper coils to create a magnetic field to transmit electrical energy. When a receiving device (e.g. embedded in a smartphone) is tuned to the same frequency range as the transmitting device, a magnetic coupling is created and electricity can pass between the two. This coupling mechanism may not cause worry for wiping credit cards clean as long as the CC is not sandwiched between the source and the load.

Next in line for wireless charging are cars, medical devices, and industrial machines. Toyota has already committed to it for their 2016 Prius. The market is said to be getting ready to explode to a global $8.5Billion by 2018. Could it be too late to invest in WiTricity????

When I first came across wireless charging thought, brilliant! Gotta get one, then the credit card problem was thrown up and now, never am I going to remove cc from the thoughtfully incorporation cc holders or remember not t sandwich my cards between the phone and power source! I now love my micro usb. It's so simple.
Adam.