Apple powers up its wireless charging plans by acquiring PowerbyProxi
Apple (AAPL) has historically done a very great job of expanding its capabilities by cobbling together a series of nip and tuck acquisitions in order to bring its solution to market at the right time. At its most recent iPhone event, Apple teased it would be bringing wireless charging to the iPhone and Apple Watch in the coming months. We’re slowly seeing wireless charging emerge in the real world, but the looming question is what business model will emerge that induces establishments like Starbucks (SBUX) to deploy such solutions?
We see the acquisition of PowerbyProxi laying the groundwork for Apple to wirelessly charge the majority of its devices and who knows how this could factor into Apple’s autonomous vehicles plans better known as Project Titan?
Apple’s snapped up a New Zealand-based company called PowerbyProxi that specializes in wireless charging, sparking speculation as to what its future plans could be.
PowerbyProxi started out as a way to help consumers charge everyday devices like phones without having to mess around with wires. It now holds about 300 patents related to wireless charging and has expanded its focus to larger products like robots, medical equipment, and drones.
Apple began its journey towards a wireless future with the launch of the iPhone 8, iPhone X, and Apple Watch Series 3 since all 3 can be refueled on Qi-standard mats. It currently has 1 such device in the pipeline dubbed the AirPower. It’s possible Apple wants to expand its line of wireless charging devices, hence the PowerbyProxi buyout. Some are speculating that the New Zealand firm’s focus on 100-watt power transfers could mean that the tech could make its way to the MacBook.
Source: Apple snaps up wireless charging specialist PowerbyProxi – TechShout
