In a recent interview with The Verge, Energous CEO Steve Rizzone stated that his wireless charging startup is on track to begin shipping its long-range wireless charging solutions by the end of 2017, likely in tandem with the key partner that Energous signed a deal with two years ago. While Rizzone has repeatedly declined to state the name of this partner, he did note that the partnership is with “one of the largest consumer electronic companies in the world,” with most speculation pointing in Apple’s direction.
I cannot tell you who it is, but I can virtual guarantee that you have products from this company on your person, sitting on your desk, or at home.
Energous first unveiled its long-range wireless charging solutions at CES two years ago, with promises to begin shipping by the end of 2015. However, those plans changed after the company signed a deal with a “key strategic partner” just a month after the 2015 show ended. The partnership deal gave Energous’ new partner exclusive rights to be the first to ship its charging technology, as well as leading to a renewed focus on miniaturizing the technology. Many initially speculated then that Apple was the “key partner” that Energous was working with, and a new report last month noted that Energous was teaming up with Dialog Semiconductor, one of the largest suppliers of power management chips for Apple’s iOS devices.
The report also notes that Energous is apparently ready to begin shipping more traditional wireless charging pads much sooner. Although the charging pads won’t offer anything new and different, devices designed to work with the Energous wireless charging pads will also support the company’s more advanced “WattUp” longer-range wireless transmitters when they begin shipping — meaning that Energous and its key partner can begin building out an ecosystem now that can be expanded later by adding the wireless charging transmitters.