Will Future Tablets Be Inductively Charged?

06/20/2011 Comments Off on Will Future Tablets Be Inductively Charged? Tablets & Technology Like

Will future touch screen tablets come equipped with built-in hardware that enables them to be inductively charged? Similar technology is already being used for smartphones such as the iPhone 4 and BlackBerry Curve 8900 for example. So the question is, what’s taking tablets such as the iPad, Android tablets or other manufacturers so long to follow suit?

You know me well enough by now, I’m a very forward thinker, but it doesn’t sound far fetched really for touch screen tablets to be using inductive charging technology. Not only that, but the technology should be taken a step further. What I mean is, with the iPhone 4 for example you have no choice but to purchase a special case that is compatible with the Qi-enabled (pronounced Chi) Energizer Inductive Charging Station. This is reasonable enough for now, in the future however what’s the point of being forced to purchase additional accessories when the technology could just as easily be built right in the device itself? Genius I know, but why are no tablet or smartphone manufacturers for that matter doing this?

Since 2008 more than 60 firms have joined forces to establish a worldwide wireless power charging standard. This new universal standard is called Qi and it’s backed by several independent companies. It’s known as the Wireless Power Consortium, aka WPC. Qi, as mentioned above is pronounced as Chi. It’s a Chinese term which means “life force” when translated to English. Sounds highly suitable to me.

Perhaps it’s just a matter of time before such charging stations become ubiquitous. It would be so convenient if the iPad 3 came equipped with built-in technology that supports Qi-enabled chargers. This way you’ll be able to charge your iPad 3 from places such as hotels, libraries and even the dashboard in your vehicle to name just a few spots.

All it would take is one tablet manufacturer to take advantage of this and lead the way for others. It’s probably just wishful thinking on my part, but whoever does become the first, hopefully they don’t start the trend by forcing people to buy additional cases. That being the case (no pun intended) would not be nearly as impressive as a tablet that requires no special or additional hardware to make this technology work. Perhaps it’s just me, but I don’t see why this should be necessary. At least give people the option to pay more or less if they want the built in Qi-enabled transmitter or not. Similar to having the option to purchase WiFi only or WiFi + 3G or 4G.

Energizer Inductive Charger

For those of you who currently have an iPod, iPhone 4 or other Qi-enabled device then you definitely need to check out the new inductive charger by Energizer. Keep in mind, although I did mention above that I wish the transmitters were built in, the truth is for now our options are limited.

Despite that, Energizer is well known for their highly reliable batteries and they are not to blame for the fact that tablet and smartphone manufacturers aren’t designing devices with built in transmitters. Besides, even if at some point in the near future there is no longer a need for extra accessories or cases I’m sure this Energizer Inductive Charger will still be compatible which makes it a great investment either way.