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Tag: Smart Battery

  • Apple patent describes potential two-way wireless Qi charging without the need for a Lightning connection

    The wireless iPhone charger you’ve always wanted could be in the works.

    Per a recent patent that was filed in May 2019, Apple is working on a two-coil wireless charging technology for an iPhone battery case that could charge without using the Lightning connector.

    Current Smart Battery Case models can charge themselves wirelessly, but use a built-in Lightning connector to power the iPhone they’re attached to.

    The patent describes how a smart battery case could use two coils to allow for bidirectional wireless charging.

    A battery case has first and second coils on opposing sides of a battery and has switching circuitry that is coupled between the first and second coils,” the patent reads. These two coils, and associated circuitry, are important elements of a wireless Smart Battery case that could both charge itself and an iPhone wirelessly.

    The patent goes on the explain how the case could use its own built-in battery to power a connected device using the second child in an open state. The could could also wirelessly receive power itself in this open state

    So that current flowing through the first coil flows through the second coil in series so that wireless power from the wireless charging mat that is received with the first coil is transmitted wirelessly to the wireless power receiving device using the second coil.

    Put another way, the next-generation Smart Battery Case could ditch the built-in Lightning connector and charge the device it’s attached to via Qi wireless charging. And, the battery case will be able to transfer power directly to an iPhone in a “pass-through” without charging its own battery. 

    The current Apple Smart Battery Case models use only a single coil and rely on a Lightning connector to charge the device.

    Thursday’s patent application also claims the benefit of another provisional Apple patent application that was filed in January 2019. The patent includes the other application in its entirety.

    The patent application names Rohan Dayal, Stephen C. Terry and Narendra S. Mehta as its inventors. The first two inventors have worked on Apple wireless charging patents in the past, while Mehta invented charging systems for Qualcomm.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and the United States Patent and Trademark Office

  • Apple extends warranty coverage of iPhone XS, iPhone XR battery cases to two years

    If you just bough an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR Smart Battery Case, you just got a free extra year of warranty on it.

    Apple has launched the Smart Battery Case Replacement Program for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, which covers all cases made through October of 2019.

    Apple has also identified the following issues which have led to the replacement program:

    • The battery case will not charge or charges intermittently when plugged into power.
    • The battery case does not charge the iPhone or charges it intermittently.

    Given that the case is only a year old, most of the units sold are under warranty. This offers an additional year of free coverage, and Apple says it will evaluate each Smart Battery Case to verify that they are eligible once they are brought in for service.

    Users can get their Smart Battery Case replaced at a local Apple Store location, or via an Apple Authorized Service Provider. All models and colors of the case are included in the program.

    Via Macworld

  • iFixit publishes x-ray teardown of 2019 model Smart Battery cases

    When in doubt, use an x-ray machine.

    The cool cats at iFixit have just performed a full x-ray teardown of Apple’s new Smart Battery Cases for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Each case is quoted as adding 50 percent additional battery life to its respective iPhone model.

    Compared to last year’s battery cases, the new cases have a camera button on the right side that’s designed to open the camera when it’s pressed. With the Camera app open, pressing the button takes a photo, and holding it down takes a QuickTake video. 

    According to the x-rays, the camera button operates through a small circuit board in the case, which features a thin, flexible circuit that runs to the photo button. The circuit board is designed to operate the camera button via the Lightning port at the bottom of the case.

    The button is designed to be just a bit recessed to prevent it from activating in a pocket or a bag, and you do need to hold it down for just a bit to open the camera app to begin with.

    Other features within the case include an inductive charging coil alongside the 10.9v battery and other internal circuitry.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and iFixit

  • Apple releases updated Smart Battery cases for 2019 model iPhones, incorporate wireless charging, physical camera button features

    Apple on Wednesday launched its line of Smart Battery case for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max handsets. While the cases look very similar to last year’s cases, they arrive in pink, white, and black colors, feature wireless charging support and offer a physical button that automatically opens the iPhone’s camera app when pushed — even if your phone is locked.

    If you turn the phone horizontally for a shot, your right index finger should naturally rest right near the button’s location on the case. Holding it down will start recording a video using the new QuickTake feature available on this year’s iPhones. 

    The new Smart Battery cases retail for $129, with Apple stating they can expect “up to 50 percent” extra battery life using them.

    If you happen to snag one of the new cases over the next few days, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via The Verge

  • Apple releases fifth iOS beta to developer community

    ios10logo

    They’re getting closer to an iOS 10 release.

    On Tuesday, Apple released its fifth beta for iOS 10 developers.

    Registered developers can go to Settings > General > Software Update and snag it as needed.

    The fifth beta releases include mostly bug fixes for iOS 10. For example, it fixes an issue iPhone 6s users were having when connected to the Smart Battery Case, and third-party apps can play music even if the Music app has been hidden.

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