CNETAnalysis: A new patent shows that Samsung isn’t the only one with an interest in wireless charging – Apple might be looking to put the feature into its future iPad Smart Covers too. Apple’s patent details a way of incorporating “integrated inductive charging in a protective cover”, using the same magnetic attachments and auto-wake sensors that the existing Smart Covers do. The proposed design also contains an inductive charging coil which transmits power to the iPad as well as the case containing a battery itself. It also means that the iPad would itself need wireless charging equipment installed, so we don’t expect the cases will be backwards compatible if they do surface. U-turn Apple’s Phil Schiller previous said that he didn’t think much of wireless charging, given that the charging device would itself need to be juiced up at a wall at some point. But this patent shows that Apple is looking at new ways to approach the concept – and it’s not the first inkling we’ve had that Apple is going to bring wireless charging to the iPad 5 or iPhone 6 . Samsung is said to be using inductive charging in the Galaxy S4 , though we’ll know in a few hours whether or not that turns out to be true. Posted by: Maryum
