Recently I purchased an iPhone and little did I know package did not come with power adapter! Not a great experience unpacking product to end up with incomplete portfolio. That basically led to some research on why Apple and few others have stopped the offering.

Story goes like this… Last year, Apple made decision to reduce company’s environmental footprint. World generated 53.6 million metric tons of electronic waste in 2019, according to Global E-Waste monitor 2020. While this move seems great however charging adapters seem to be inevitable choice for consumers, hence this opens opportunity for accessories/adapter makers. Now many firms are working towards alternate technology like wireless charging, which completely eliminates need for adapters, some are banking on this opportunity and offering varied different types of Charging adapters.

Since I am firm believer of power of patents and value the companies that invest in securing the rights for their technology, 2 firms caught my attention…

1.Lomiko: Recently granted US patent for its IoT Power Hub wall-mounted receptacle. Mainly this covers IOT power hub which has 6 USB charge points & 2 traditional plug outlets. Potential to charge up to 8 electronic devices from one receptacle, with USB ports located on the sides of devices to enable simultaneous charging without obstructing power outlets.

Lomiko Metals Inc is 100% owned subsidiary Lomiko technologies is the owner of 18.15% of SHD Smart Home Devices Ltd & 40% of Graphene Energy storage Devices. Seems like good development for SHD for opening licensing & manufacturing opportunities. “SHD has an incredible opportunity to participate in a burgeoning IoT and Smart Device market.”, stated A. Paul Gill, CEO., “Major companies such as Leviton, Legrand, Pass and Seymour and others have recognized this new market and have launched similar devices.” Source.

2. Xiaomi: Company has been working on diverse charging technologies : HyperCharge Technology: Comes with 200W wired fast charging support compared to present 120W charging tech found in current phones. Air Charging. : Mechanical (vibration/sound) to electrical energy, they have filed China patent on this invention concept. Basically, it includes five-phase interference antenna set up that detects a smartphone’s position in a room & uses 144 antenna to transmit millimeter-wide waves to a target device using a focusing technology called beamforming to charge it.

China patent from Xiaomi on sound charging tech suggests that it could charge any electronic devices without need for any power sockets. ‘Sound Charging’, the technology  involves two important components, according to the patent. It includes a “sound collection device, a plurality of energy conversion devices, and a power conversion device”. The report suggests that the device being worked on will convert environmental vibration to mechanical vibration, which will then be converted into alternating current.

We may have to wait for this technology to be realized in commercial products, however these give a sneak-peak into what to expect in future. Source

Both these options Current (adapter) and Future (wireless charging) seem highly lucrative for many firms and it would be very interesting to track innovation in this field. Nothing is small, its all about capturing the current value from need of the hour.