1:15 PM – Natively, Apple doesn’t support wireless charging in the iPhone. Other smartphones such as Google Nexus support wireless charging and the concept has been around for quite a while. You would have to get a thick case to even support wireless charging, but that would render the iPhone’s thinness useless.
Enter iQi Mobile, who has a solution for you. Currently past it’s initial funding of $30,000 in an Indiegogo project that plans to deliver a solution next month, the company is looking to introduce a “seamless wireless charging” for your iPhone. All you need is a iQi wireless charging pad, and with this hooked into your iPhone, it’s a very easy process to start wirelessly charging.
How does this work exactly? Well, iQi is a receiver for wireless energy and is compatible with the Qi wireless power standard. The thickest part of the accessory is 1.4 millimeters, which is the lightning port. The wireless ‘pad’ is just 0.5 millimeters thick. Most wireless chargers use a coiled wire inside, so the iQi must use very thin wire to keep it very small and thin. Quite impressive, don’t you think?
To make it work, all you have to do is plug in the Thunderbolt part into your iPhone 5, 5c, 5s or even fifth-generation iPod touch, and stick the pad on the backside (take a look at the pictures). Just use a thin iPhone case to keep the padding in place on the back. It’s fairly simple and easy to do. You get protection for your iPhone and still get to use a case.
The iQi charger is expected to retail for $35. You can save yourself a few dollars right now with the early-bird special. There are lots of bundles available, some have sold out, but most are still available, such as the Qi-charging pucks.
Head over to the Indiegogo page and make a pledge if you want. I myself have ordered one and when I receive it, there will be a review posted. Stay tuned!
