Console Wireless Controller Charging

[Guest]

Why don't the new consoles implement wireless charging? Admittedly it may take a bit of a redesign and slightly thicker machines but how cool would it be to just place your controller down on top of the machine when your finished and watch it charge.

[Flight1sim]

Actually that would be awesome if the technology was improved enough (dont know current state of wireless chargin)

[Clyne]

What if your too lazy to use the console.....

[DarkR3bel]

It would be pretty cool, but not as practical as wired charging. Qi has really low efficiency and the other alternative which uses a sort of plate would not work because of controller design. Aside from the fact that you wouldn't be able to play while it's charging wirelessly.

[Kyuubixchidori]

...can I get this pad to put ontop of my computer to charge my xbox 360 controller? would be sweet. that and wireless charged mice. they use so little power, just leave it on the center of the mousepad to charge. how is this not a thing

[skywake]

No, because controllers are expensive enough as it is. Frankly I'd rather they'd just put better batteries in them before they'd even consider looking at trying to get an expensive wireless charging solution going. For example the Wii U's Pro Controller has a battery life that's around 50hours or so and it has mini (not micro) USB charging. So the thing doesn't ever seem to be flat and if it is you just plug it in for a bit and you're set. Been using it on PC and Wii U on and off for months and haven't needed a charge. They're pretty low power devices really so there's no reason why wireless charging should be necessary if they give them a big enough battery.

[Gontier]

You mean induction charging? There are already docking stations that have been on the market for years that do that. If you're talking about wireless charging via radio waves then that isn't really as applicable to gamepads in your living room as it is to a phone when you go outside. Going back to induction charging built into say, the base of the console: The problem with tech like that is that it isn't going to please everyone. You are assuming that everyone places their console horizontally and in the open. if you put it on the horizontal side of a console the people that keep their consoles upright in a vertical position won't have a way to charge. Some people also hide their consoles into tight spaces, and they would also have no way to even place pads on top of the console to charge.

 

So sorry, not going to work. It's already available as an optional accessory now, and unless wireless charging improves some other way this isn't going to be viable in it's current state. Not to mention this will increase the BOM cost of controllers and the system itself. Just buy one of these and place it on top of your console:

 

 

[ROYSTURRR]

I think there should be inductive charging for everything. I saw a concept home with chargers built into table/counter tops and drawers. It would be awesome to just throw all my crap in a bin and have it charged when I fish it out again. The home demo also had chargers in the wall for light fixtures that you could place wherever.

 

Right now only iPhones can charge if you pop them in the microwave for 90 seconds.*

 

 

*Google this before you try it.