Smartwatches are starting to find a captive audience in the U.S. as consumers want their hands on the latest wearable technology. With smartwatch demand expected to boom, major tech companies including Samsung have already debuted their own smartwatch products, and this technology may take off thanks to powerful magnets.
Apple's heavily anticipated smartwatch called the iWatch may feature permanent magnets to speed up charging, Fast Company reported. While the iWatch has yet not debuted, rumors that are circulating say the phone may be equipped with one of three charging methods or even a combination: transferring energy via magnetic induction, charging by movement, or using solar power charging technology. Apple has patents for all three charging technologies. Recently, for Apple's MacBook laptops, the company was awarded a patent for photovoltaic charging cells that use layered glass, showing Apple has looked into expanding its use of renewable energy technologies.
"The one or more magnets may move, for example, when a user shakes the system or when the user walks or runs while holding the device," Apple's patent abstract said, in describing how the device can charge, according to Patently Apple. "The movement of the one or more magnets may create an electromotive force (e.g., a voltage) across the printed coils, and this force may be used to generate electric power."
Depending on the charging method, Apple could solve its design problem of keeping the iWatch small and portable while incorporating a powerful battery and charging system. Effective charging technology could improve the functionality of the watch so it does not have to continuously charge, making it more appealing to consumers.
Smartwatch features magnetic charging connection
Apple is not the only tech manufacturer to include magnetic charging capabilities. The makers of the Pebble smartwatch, planned to introduce an updated version of its smartwatch product on the market, which was funded with the help of a crowd funding campaign on Kickstarter, Tech Times reported. Smartwatch manufacturer Pebble introduced the Pebble Steel, available in two finishes with brushless stainless and black matte. This smartwatch also features high powered magnets to help connect its charging cable to the watch. Pebble said the magnetic charging cable is smaller overall but features larger magnets. The watch also has an LED light on its display to show users their smartwatch is charging.
"Our mission is clear," said Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky. "Create the gold standard for wearables that mesh perfectly with your everyday life, and build the fundamental ecosystem and platform for these devices."
