Apple has been granted two patents that hint it could be adding wireless charging pads to the MacBook and its other devices.
But that would mean a big redesign: MacBooks are currently made out of aluminum which is not compatible with wireless charging.
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According to 9to5Mac, Apple has been granted two patents that show how it would add two-way wireless charging to the MacBook and other devices. The patents include drawings that show a MacBook charging an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, as well as drawings of the iPad and iPhone charging other devices like EarPods.
Two-way wireless charging pads are not new to the industry. Several other phone makers have released devices with reverse wireless charging capabilities.
The patents are clearly aimed to solve the problem we are all facing when one or more of our Apple devices are running low on battery and there are no outlets around, or when you just cannot carry all the necessary chargers and cables around. The patent specifically states that “despite having standardized connectors and cable[s], each device may require a separate or dedicated power supply to charge. In some cases, having separate power supplies for each device may be burdensome to use, store, and/or transport.”
While the idea is definitely attractive, it could be some time before Apple brings this technology to the market. This is especially true when considering that the MacBook and iPad casings are currently made out of aluminum, which is not compatible with wireless charging.
Are we about to witness the return of the plastic MacBook? I doubt it.
Nevertheless, this is good news coming from Apple, which already took so long to bring us wirelessly charging devices…