Wires -- they're a right pain in the proverbial, aren't they? Wi-Fi has freed the Internet from the tyranny of cables, but the fact we still have to tie our phones to the wall to juice them up remains a shocking liberty. Which is why Google promises wireless charging accessories for the Google Nexus 4 "as soon as possible".
Google hasn't made a song and dance about it -- because the accessories aren't ready -- but the Nexus 4 has all the gubbins built in to recharge the battery using wireless technology. All you need is a charger that uses the Qi wireless charging standard.
That means the Nexus 4 will charge by placing it onto the charging mat that comes with the Nokia Lumia 920, which also uses Qi to charge sans cable. But Google is working on its own wireless charging accessories.
Wireless charging is based on the principle of induction. The science is quite complicated, but essentially the power going into the charging mat wishes really hard that it was in your phone, and when your phone is placed on the mat the electricity atomecules become so excited that they leap straight into the battery.
Of course, you still need to place your device on the charging mat and that has to be plugged into the wall, so it doesn't entirely free you from the shackles of leaving your phone in one place while it charges. But you don't need to worry about having the right cable -- and in future, fingers crossed, charging mats will start to appear in public places.
Nokia's inclusion of wire-free charging in the new Windows Phone 8 Lumia line-up heralded deals with airlines and coffee shops to place charging mats in caffs and lounges, and with Google getting involved we're hopeful more establishments will want to get in on the action.
The Nexus 4 also has a 4G chip built-in, but it's not turned on. That didn't stop some intrepid Canadians from apparently managing to hack the Nexus 4 onto a 4G network, although when I spoke to Google the Big G was puzzled how they'd managed to do it, given that the Nexus has a 4G chip but no 4G radio.
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Comments 21
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panos 23 November, 2012 13:59
The accessories might be arriving soon but obviously the phone is not arriving any time soon!! Any news on it's availability?
Matt Winston. 23 November, 2012 16:22
I'd love to know when the Nexus 4 is going to be on sale again and how many N4's were actually on sale in the first place. Wireless charging is pretty useless at the moment, but should be handy later in a few years time and what if you want to use your phone in the night but the battery is low? Plus, doesn't the battery become inefficient when you constantly put it on charge?
vinneng 23 November, 2012 19:03
I'd argue that wireless charging in its current form is more restrictive than wired charging. If you want to use your phone while its charging wireless then you would have to prod at it while it's sat on the charging mat, where as with wired charging you're free to move around (within the constraints of the length of wire of course).
Matt: For lithium ion batteries there is no problem with frequent charging - they keep their longest life when kept around 80% charge. It is only older Nickel based batteries that should be fully discharged before each recharge.
Mark Wheadon 23 November, 2012 19:16
Whilst it's true that you can't use the phone easily whilst it's charging by induction, it's also true that it's trivial to place it back on charge when you're not using it.
So you could, for example, have one on the desk at work and place your phone on it whenever it's not in use, which would be cool.
anonymous 23 November, 2012 20:15
I agree with Mark here. Although having the phone attached to a physical cable would allow for some mobility, I would still buy the charger for work where I would be more inclined to come and go. I do however see that it is only marginally more convenient...
anonymous 23 November, 2012 21:26
Are Google taking the Mickey? Trying to get us interested in charging mats for non-existant phones?
I like the idea of laying the phone on a mat on my desk at work, or a bluetooth charging dock that would charge whilst playing music (a bit like the millions of iPhone docks out there). A simple NFC tag built into the dock could even it allow it to automatically turn on bluetooth as you placed it in the dock.
anonymous 23 November, 2012 22:22
Chip... but no radio? What's your definition of radio? Who did you talk to in Google, one of their marketing monkeys? Look at Anandtech's review, the Nexus 4 clearly has the amplifier for Band 4 LTE.
CNet, please hire technically competent writers and don't believe everything "sources" who are not technically competent either.
dougmet 23 November, 2012 23:00
I think Nexus 4 posts should wait until the thing is back on sale. This is just mean.
anonymous 23 November, 2012 23:17
Doug, I couldn't agree with you more, however I do think I've read every post regarding this phone since I ordered it.
phippski 24 November, 2012 20:25
as doug said the only nexus 4 story i want to see is news on their availabilty!
anonymous 24 November, 2012 21:31
Nexus 4 will not be available for purchase till mid Feb at Google Plays Store - http://nexus4hype.blogspot.co.uk/
anonymous 25 November, 2012 20:32
Just to rub salt in the wound! It is worth waiting for, got mine today, it is better than the hype! Makes my partner's I Phone 5 look dated and cumbersome. Yippee!!
anonymous 25 November, 2012 21:14
Really you still have to plug the wireless charger into the wall? The current doesn't just arc from the socket to the wireless charger? Geeze I never knew that.
anonymous 26 November, 2012 09:31
Remember there are those of us who have an N4 and I desperately want the charger now, but I agree with the poster about bluetooth and NFC needed to be built in.
Sorry to those still waiting (muhahaha)
anonymous 26 November, 2012 12:42
http://iphone games
I love nexus 4 and thanking you .
anonymous 26 November, 2012 13:00
The Nexus 4 is still on sale and there is no shortage of supplies....just not at the cheaper price on the Google Play Store.
My local Carphone Warehouse had 10 in stock on Saturday. They've only supplied one so far according the the sales staff.
anonymous 26 November, 2012 13:14
dhrupak lanja
anonymous 27 November, 2012 19:35
What's all this nonsense of non-existent phones? I have a Nexus 4 and love it. Just waiting for the accessories like a decent holster and a charging mat.
anonymous 28 November, 2012 04:41
Check Google Play now...
they're finally selling again, but delivery is set in 4-5 weeks
anonymous 3 December, 2012 20:12
And while we wait, one can go for the Energizer Qi charger. Still looks good, and is available now.
anonymous 19 February, 2013 05:11
Good work i liked it and thanks for sharing this .
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