Sony working on faster wireless charging for Xperia handsets

Charged up in an hour flat (credit: XperiaBlog.net)

Samsung isn't the only smartphone manufacturer looking to shake up wireless charging, as Sony is rumored to be working on technology capable of charging its Xperia handsets in one hour flat.

Pocket-lint reported today that Sony engineers may be working on a way of speeding up the process of wireless charging, with an eye toward implementing the technology into next year's Xperia smartphones.

According to a report from Nikkei, Sony's new device uses only 10-15 watts of electricity, but supplies twice the amount of current wireless chargers.

The result is that, come late 2014, a compatible Xperia smartphone could be charged in half the time, reducing a two-hour wireless charge down to only an hour.

Sony's work is reportedly based upon specifications now being finalized by the Wireless Power Consortium, and will be implemented as part of the existing Qi international standard.

Similar work is also underway by Rohm Co., who are developing the microchips necessary to charge with the increased 10-15 watts of power without overheating.

Earlier this week, a separate report revealed that Samsung is also eyeing improvements for wireless charging for inclusion in next year's Galaxy S5 smartphone.

Samsung's technology would allow handsets to be charged from a distance by using magnetic resonance, even when the source charger isn't actually making contact with the device.

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Apple Board pushing Tim Cook towards faster innovation

According to Fox Business News correspondent, Charlie Gasparino, the board over at Apple are "deeply concerned" about Tim Cook's pace of innovation.

Gasparino states: "that concern is manifesting into pressure on Tim Cook to basically innovate - do something fast."

During a report on FBN, it was expressed that no notable products had been produced since Steve Jobs held the reins of the company, with the introduction of the iPad in 2010.

The end of last year did bring the iPad mini, but this is another product for the iPad line rather than a standalone innovation. Rumours have circulated surrounding a possible iWatch, or Apple TV, but the timeline for these products is unclear, as is whether they will actually ever come in to fruition. There has also been talk of an iPhone 5c that's keeping Apple busy.

Although, interestingly When the new Mac Pro was unveiled earlier this year, Phil Schiller proclaimed: "Can't innovate any more, my ass".

Gasparino doesn't quite see it that way though, noting: "the stock price is down 35% from it's all-time high".

According to the FBN report, Cook's job is not up for revision but the Board of Directors, including the likes of Al Gore, are concerned. Whether the concern accumulates into anything is yet to be seen.

With Cook's recent announcement that no new Apple products would hit the shelves this summer, it is unclear when the next new products will arrive.

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