Charging a cell phone with a laptop is a fairly simple process, and is the principle behind, for example, the reverse charging of any cell phone. The notebook is the one that supplies power to the cell phone through its USB port, regardless of whether it is getting it from its internal battery or directly from the current.
Apple wants to turn your MacBook into a wireless charger
However, it seems that Apple wants to take this system one step further by taking advantage of the design of its MacBook laptops. At least that’s what comes out of a new patent applied for (and approved) by the Americans, one that describes a system to turn the surface closest to users of their MacBook into a wireless charger.
Portable and wireless charger in one
Apple intends to take advantage of the free surface left on both sides of the touchpad of its notebooks, which can be used to charge other devices wirelessly. We are talking about being able to charge any Qi device, from the iPhone itself to the Apple Watch or the AirPod transport box. But being a Qi charge, any compatible device could be charged in the same place.
The intention of Apple with this patent is that you can travel, either on long journeys or in simple transfers, taking only with yourself the laptop and its corresponding charger. The laptop would serve to charge the cell phone, watch, headphones, or any other device compatible with this type of wireless charge, and has developed its idea in a document in which it presents up to 40 different patents for the same system.
This is only one patent, of course, and as such we may never see it implemented and it is only a promising internal research project. But if it does come to light, Apple computers could become wireless charging stations so that there are fewer devices around the house. Or the suitcase.