Wireless charge controller for consoles, will it become a thing?

sxiebonjour · Oct 30, 2017

This thought came to me when I was trying to using my PS4 golden headphone this morning. I always usb charge my controller and have an external SSD drive on, and the last usb port on my PS4 pro is used for the cooling fan dock. I had no place for the headphone dongle.

As iPhone X comes out with the feature, this makes me wonder why can't PS5 or XBOX2 have a wireless charge station for the controllers. It will give us unlimited battery life and get rid of the long annoying wires and free a usb port.

It might not be practically useful to integrate into the console itself, I visualize it as a dock sitting near where you play, maybe on the tea table if you play on your couch.

What's your thoughts , era?

Edit: The concept is like Cota there: http://www.ossia.com/cota/

Killthee · Oct 30, 2017

I could see it happen eventually, but I doubt it'll be a standard feature next gen.

ZeroCoin · Oct 30, 2017

At least with USB charging you can buy a longer cable and continue playing while the controller charges. You can basically get the 'wireless' charging if you get a charging dock.

Not to get away from the wireless charging point, but the pro does have a rear USB correct? Couldn't you just plug the external drive in there since it's not something that you'll want to switch around very much?

Servbot24 · Oct 30, 2017

Don't controller docks for charging already exist?

brennschluss · Oct 30, 2017

In perfect world it's like a full surface of the table where you can charge all types of devices (phones, watches etc.)

Leynos · Oct 30, 2017

We should be making controllers less expensive, not more so. Give me replaceable AA batteries, or a cord over a proprietary battery that will become impossible to find in ten years.

The Main Event · Oct 30, 2017

I hope so. Love that feature on my iPhone 8.

Rich · Oct 30, 2017

Leynos said:
We should be making controllers less expensive, not more so. Give me replaceable AA batteries, or a cord over a proprietary battery that will become impossible to find in ten years.

Well, I use eneloops for any AA battery controllers (wavebird, xbone) and the Switch Pro Pad lasts about two months on a single charge.

I'm not sure what else can be acheived without a revolution in battery tech or a change in priorities.

MageBoySA · Oct 30, 2017

Given that this currently requires glass backing to function properly for most devices (I believe) I don't think this is likely on controllers, since people are less likely to treat them as carefully as they do their phones.

sxiebonjour · Oct 30, 2017

brennschluss said:
In perfect world it's like a full surface of the table where you can charge all types of devices (phones, watches etc.)

Yeah, an universal charger would be awesome.

sxiebonjour · Oct 30, 2017

Servbot24 said:
Don't controller docks for charging already exist?

I mean wireless charging dock. I think the products on the markets still require you to connect your controller to the themselves.

Kthulhu · Oct 30, 2017

MageBoySA said:
Given that this currently requires glass backing to function properly for most devices (I believe) I don't think this is likely on controllers, since people are less likely to treat them as carefully as they do their phones.

Plastic also works. They could do it if they wanted to.

The issue with phones is aluminum is too dense for modern wireless charging to work.

Wowfunhappy · Oct 30, 2017

I bought wireless charging sets for my Wii Remotes. They're great.

ZeroCoin · Oct 30, 2017

sxiebonjour said:
I mean wireless charging dock. I think the products on the markets still require you to connect your controller to the themselves.

But why does it need to be wireless is the point. If it's just to free up a usb port on the system, a wall power connected charging dock solves that. Even using a usb charger on an outlet closer to where you sit to play games would allow you to play games while it charges.

Wireless charging devices need to be incredibly close to the source to actually work, which would mean you aren't really getting an 'unlimited' power source at all. All it means is that you would just set your controller down on a pad instead of plugging in a cable when the battery is low. It's just a convenience.

Leynos · Oct 30, 2017

Rich said:
Well, I use eneloops for any AA battery controllers (wavebird, xbone) and the Switch Pro Pad lasts about two months on a single charge.

I'm not sure what else can be acheived without a revolution in battery tech or a change in priorities.

Exactly. I use rechargeable AAs in every device that allows it. It is one of the big reasons that I prefer the original GBA vs the SP. Finding batteries for that thing that hold a charge is damn near impossible, whereas quality rechargeable AAs can be found most anywhere.

sxiebonjour · Oct 30, 2017

MageBoySA said:
Given that this currently requires glass backing to function properly for most devices (I believe) I don't think this is likely on controllers, since people are less likely to treat them as carefully as they do their phones.

I think they are using glass is because the previous aluminum case wouldn't work. Plastic will let magnetic field through.

brennschluss · Oct 30, 2017

But price, man. Wireless controllers pretty expensive and adding wireless charge means extra cost

Shwing · Oct 30, 2017

While not exactly wireless, the Nyko Charge Bocks are pretty great. Support for One, PS4, and Switch controllers.

The best part is you can plug them into each other and charge up to 4 controllers with one cable. I have my Xbox One, PS4. Joycons, and Switch Pro Controller all set up.

Aztechnology · Oct 30, 2017

Umm, wireless charging (QI) docks don't really have that much range. They still generally have to be in, or near contact with the base. There are projects like Disneys wireless charging room, but it requires quite a bit of power, a localized emitter, limited range etc.

https://youtu.be/gn7T599QaN8

I'm not sure what you're asking for OP, but if you're talking about a controller or device that charges wireless in a fairly large area without contact to a charging base, it doesn't exist.

Rich · Oct 30, 2017

Leynos said:
Exactly. I use rechargeable AAs in every device that allows it. It is one of the big reasons that I prefer the original GBA vs the SP. Finding batteries for that thing that hold a charge is damn near impossible, whereas quality rechargeable AAs can be found most anywhere.

Yep. I also have a backlit OG GBA as my go-to, not only due to the form factor but due to the batteries.

Deleted member 17491 · Oct 30, 2017

Current implementations of wireless charging have a very short range, which makes it more of a novelty than something that actually adds something.

Also wireless charging for phones has been around since at least 2012, my old Lumia 920 supported it.

Leynos said:
We should be making controllers less expensive, not more so. Give me replaceable AA batteries, or a cord over a proprietary battery that will become impossible to find in ten years.

I feel the same. Especially later on it's a lot easier to buy fresh AA batteries that'll hold a long charge vs proprietary battery from several years ago (good luck finding one that will hold a good charge) that usually also requires fiddling around with screw drivers.

sxiebonjour · Oct 30, 2017

Aztechnology said:
Umm, wireless charging (QI) docks don't really have that much range. They still generally have to be in, or near contact with the base. There are projects like Disneys wireless charging room, but it requires quite a bit of power, a localized emitter, limited range etc.

https://youtu.be/gn7T599QaN8

I'm not sure what you're asking for OP, but if you're talking about a controller or device that charges wireless in a fairly large area without contact to a charging base, it doesn't exist.

I am looking for some techniques like the cota here : http://www.ossia.com/cota/ . That is you can still hold you controller while getting charged power. But it does not seem to come to fruit on next gen tho xD.

Servbot24 · Oct 30, 2017

sxiebonjour said:
I mean wireless charging dock. I think the products on the markets still require you to connect your controller to the themselves.

I'm not quite sure I got the point. Wireless chargers are only wireless in name. There still needs to be a contact point with something.

Aztechnology · Oct 30, 2017

sxiebonjour said:
I am looking for some techniques like the cota here : http://www.ossia.com/cota/ . That is you can still hold you controller while getting charged power. But it does not seem to come to fruit on next gen tho xD.

Ok, this clarifies things a bit more, I believe this is something akin to what Disney is working on, this tech is still in the development phase though, and I don't believe its commercially available yet, once it is, it will likely be very expensive.

TechnicPuppet · Oct 30, 2017

I have a dock for charging Xbox controllers. You just sit them on the dock and they charge so no practical difference from wireless charging.

Kinopio · Oct 30, 2017

I'd hope to see it as standard next gen or at least an option.

Wireless charge controller for consoles, will it become a thing?

sxiebonjour

Killthee

ZeroCoin

Servbot24

brennschluss

Leynos

The Main Event

Rich

MageBoySA

sxiebonjour

sxiebonjour

Kthulhu

Wowfunhappy

ZeroCoin

Leynos

sxiebonjour

brennschluss

Shwing

Aztechnology

Community Resettler

Rich

Deleted member 17491

User requested account closure

sxiebonjour

Servbot24

Aztechnology

Community Resettler

TechnicPuppet

Kinopio