Apple’s acquisition of PowerbyProxi to favour wireless charging for Apple products - Dispatch Weekly

Apple announces the acquisition of New Zealand firm, PowerbyProxi, a wireless charging company.

Whilst Apple has recently introduced the iPhone 8, iPhone X and Apple Watch Series 3 with wireless charging, it has been slow to adopt the technology. For several years, Apple has been behind its biggest rival Samsung and other mobile phone companies that have offered wireless charging in some of their devices.

As a result, the recent takeover indicates Apple’s attempt on catching with rivals by going completely wireless in the future.

Dan Riccio, Senior vice president of engineering at Apple stated on the matter, “We want to bring truly effortless charging to more places and more customers around the world. Our Auckland team will be a great addition as Apple works to create a wireless future.”

So, why did Apple pick PowerbyProxi?

PowerbyProxi, founded by Fady Mishriki and Greg Cross in 2007, is a spin-off of a University of Auckland project that has gained international recognition for the development of wireless charging systems, based on the Wireless Power Consortium’s future Qi wireless standard.

Apple’s interest in PowerbyProxi can be seen through the high-quality product portfolio of wireless charging devices the company holds.

Highlighting their product offering is the Proxi-Module platform; a modular wireless power and data transfer system designed for high-power applications. With the use of a 65mm power coil operating at 90% efficiency, the hardware can deliver 100W of power to drones, warehouse robots, and other battery-powered machinery.

The product also counts with a waterproof feature, modular chassis design that allows for flexible docking solutions, while internal circuitry supports foreign object detection, dynamic pairing, and other advanced features.

The firm has also been working on the development of the Wireless Power Consortium’s future Qi wireless charging standard and has received accolades and funding for its work. Apple is also a member of the Wireless Power Consortium as of February 2017.

With regards to the takeover, Mishriki has stated, “The team and I are thrilled to join Apple. There is tremendous alignment with our values, and we are excited to continue our growth in Auckland and contribute to the great innovation in wireless charging coming out of New Zealand”.

How will PowerbyProxi help Apple?

The firm’s expertise, which includes 50 staff, more than 300 patents and a range of charging devices, is sure to support Apple’s wireless charging efforts. Apple announced last month it’s own AirPower accessory which it claimed would simultaneously charge up to three devices, including new versions of the Apple Watch, iPhone and AirPod charging case.

In addition, with PowerbyProxi’s expertise, it could also allow Apple to offer much larger pads that could quickly charge multiple and larger consumer devices, like laptops. This will enable Apple to work on high-power solutions for their iPad and Mac and remove the wall adapter from the 15-inch MacBook Pro.

With this being said, it is soon to be expected that Apple will lose wires in favour of wireless power option in the future. Therefore, not only will our iPhones be equipped with wireless charging but also our other Apple devices.