Apple may enable iPhones and iPads to charge accessories through their screens
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A new Apple patent, published by the US Patent & Trademark Office, may enable iPhones to charge accessories through their screen glass.
According to the patent drawings, wireless charging may be functional on one section of the screen while the other stays usable. However, it is unknown whether the charging area of the screen would display anything while the accessories are being charged. The applicable accessories must also support wireless charging in order to charge through the wireless charging screen.
The “Through-Display Wireless Charging” patent may only support accessory charging. So, if Apple incorporates this patent into its iPhones and iPads, they may be able to charge such as earphones, smartwatches, or styluses, for example through their screens, rather than other smart devices.
The wireless charging screen may be especially useful when using the Apple Pencil. When a user finishes working with the Apple Pencil, they may simply place the pencil on the screen of their iPhone or iPad to begin charging it.
Currently, you can charge your second-generation Apple Pencil wirelessly, but in order to do that, you need to attach it to the right side of your iPad.
Questions & Answers
Q.What types of devices might be charged using this new Apple patent?
What types of devices might be charged using this new Apple patent?
If Apple uses this patent, iPhones and iPads may be able to charge accessories like earphones, smartwatches, or styluses directly through their screens. This patent is specifically designed for charging accessories, not other smart devices.
Q.Could the screen display content while part of it is charging an accessory?
Could the screen display content while part of it is charging an accessory?
The article states that wireless charging may work on one section of the screen while the rest remains usable. However, it is currently unknown whether the charging area itself would display anything during this process.
Q.Does an accessory need a specific feature to be charged this way?
Does an accessory need a specific feature to be charged this way?
Yes, for an accessory to charge through the wireless charging screen, it must already support wireless charging. Only compatible accessories will be able to utilise this potential new feature.
Q.How might this new charging method improve the use of an Apple Pencil?
How might this new charging method improve the use of an Apple Pencil?
This feature could be especially useful for the Apple Pencil. Users might simply place their pencil on the screen of an iPhone or iPad to charge it after use, rather than attaching it to the side of an iPad.
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