Wireless charging?

[Robisan]

I plug my phone into my car for Android Auto using the usb-a to usb-c cable provided by Google with the first Pixel I think it was. Been using it that way with the Pixel and Pixel 2 with no problems. I noticed it seemed the Pixel 3 was gaining very little if any charge after my 30 minute commute just listening to podcasts. Downloaded the Ampere app to check it this morning. According to the app it is only charging at around 150mA. That isn't going to keep up when I have to use Maps for something. I really hope this gets modified by a future update.

This is an unacceptable design flaw that needs to be remedied.

It's almost like Google has coded the phone to cripple charging from any source that doesn't handshake as a Google product. /tinfoilhat

 

[klau25]

Here's an update on the wireless charging situation. It's at the end of the article. Apparently 10 W charging will only work on Google certified wireless chargers. Belkin is making one that will cost $60. WTH Google?

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...3-locks-fast-qi-charging-to-its-own-79-stand/

Link to Belkin wireless charger

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e....com%2Fus%2Fp%2FP-F7U050-MG%2F&token=GCDNE9qB

 

[Mike Dee]

This is an unacceptable design flaw that needs to be remedied.

It's almost like Google has coded the phone to cripple charging from any source that doesn't handshake as a Google product. /tinfoilhat

This problem you quoted is unrelated to the wireless charging issue.
I think it's a bit premature that there is a design flaw based on one person's post that his USB port used to work and now no longer works as expected.

I can confirm that my cable not made by Google in the same car that I used all my prior phones in the last two years still charges my phone from a low power state, while running Android Auto, Google Maps and Spotify at the same time. I don't think it's a selective design flaw.

 

[bhemi73]

I agree that cables can be an issue and you have to try a couple to find one that works the way you want. I use Android auto with streaming radio and navigation. Same cable I used with the Pixel 2 charges the 3 just fine. It's not a Google branded cable, it's Anker I believe.
I'm having a bigger issue with the wireless charging. Is the Samsung and Apple quick charge methods proprietary for wireless charging? What standard/method do they use? When I try and search for it, they only come up as Qi standard. Makes me think they chose this path simply for $$.

 

[Robisan]

This problem you quoted is unrelated to the wireless charging issue.

As was the post I responded to, so, you know, there it was.

I think it's a bit premature that there is a design flaw based on one person's post that his USB port used to work and now no longer works as expected.

If everything is held constant - same AA-enabled car, same cable etc - and the two phones (P2 vs P3) have different charging experiences - then clearly something is wrong. I assumed all phone/AA settings are correct and if not that could be a problem. But as described in the post I responded to, a setup where the phone drains, not charges, when USB connected to and using AA features is an acceptable flaw.

I can confirm that my cable not made by Google in the same car that I used all my prior phones in the last two years still charges my phone from a low power state, while running Android Auto, Google Maps and Spotify at the same time. I don't think it's a selective design flaw.

To clarify, is this connected via USB to a car-based AA display system or is this connected to a fast charge power source using AA on your phone display? Also, why do you specify "from a low power state?" Is there some point short of full where it won't charge? TIA

 

[Mike Dee]

I agree that cables can be an issue and you have to try a couple to find one that works the way you want. I use Android auto with streaming radio and navigation. Same cable I used with the Pixel 2 charges the 3 just fine. It's not a Google branded cable, it's Anker I believe.
I'm having a bigger issue with the wireless charging. Is the Samsung and Apple quick charge methods proprietary for wireless charging? What standard/method do they use? When I try and search for it, they only come up as Qi standard. Makes me think they chose this path simply for $$.

Dollars gained sales revenue and dollars saved by reducing lawsuits.

 

[SteelGator]

I share the frustration of folks here, but it also seems that standards, or lack there of, are at issue here. Manufacturers either pay to use a standard or design around patents to develop their own method. From my reading, it sounds like Google did not use Samsung's fast charge method (too costly or Sammy said no), and designed their own. This leaves them as the only manufacturer with a fast wireless charger ATM.

Hard to say if they are blocking Qi or Sammy's tech. If they are, they may have to if they didn't pay. They may also not play nice with whatever Google did to achieve a fast wireless charge. I don't think we have enough information to know on these points for sure.

My guess is this will be a short lived phenomena, where early adopters get stuck with high price tags -- as usual. Eventually they will realize the price point is too high, competition will hit and prices will drop. The good news? We have choices -- your included cable works well as do all PD chargers (which is a standard -- Quick Charge is the proprietary method). Old wireless chargers work, they just are not as fast at Google's.

I like most of you am getting frustrated with Google drift from their old ethos, on many many fronts. In this case, they are a for-profit business acting as such. The idea of taking a loss to get screens in front of folks must not give the return it used too give.

 

[Mike Dee]

As was the post I responded to, so, you know, there it was.


If everything is held constant - same AA-enabled car, same cable etc - and the two phones (P2 vs P3) have different charging experiences - then clearly something is wrong. I assumed all phone/AA settings are correct and if not that could be a problem. But as described in the post I responded to, a setup where the phone drains, not charges, when USB connected to and using AA features is an acceptable flaw.


To clarify, is this connected via USB to a car-based AA display system or is this connected to a fast charge power source using AA on your phone display? Also, why do you specify "from a low power state?" Is there some point short of full where it won't charge? TIA

Mine is connected via car USB which is used for Android Auto and Apple Carplay on my car display. I specify from a low power state to illustrate that it is in use with AA, Google Maps and Spotify and manages to charge my phone at the same time and will bring it up to 100 percent. I've had it as low as 20 percent. I assume it will charge from zero....it has for my iPhone.

My overall point is that nothing noticable has changed from using my iPhone, V20, Pixel 2XL or 3XL so I don't believe there is a design flaw. This is using an LG V20 USB A to Usb cable.

 

[Mike Dee]

Here's an update on the wireless charging situation. It's at the end of the article. Apparently 10 W charging will only work on Google certified wireless chargers. Belkin is making one that will cost $60. WTH Google?

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...3-locks-fast-qi-charging-to-its-own-79-stand/

Link to Belkin wireless charger

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e....com%2Fus%2Fp%2FP-F7U050-MG%2F&token=fEnXCcQY

60 is better than 80. Give it time, the price may come down or there may be others

 

[Robisan]

Mine is connected via car USB which is used for Android Auto and Apple Carplay on my car display. I specify from a low power state to illustrate that it is in use with AA, Google Maps and Spotify and manages to charge my phone at the same time and will bring it up to 100 percent. I've had it as low as 20 percent. I assume it will charge from zero....it has for my iPhone.

My overall point is that nothing noticable has changed from using my iPhone, V20, Pixel 2XL or 3XL so I don't believe there is a design flaw. This is using an LG V20 USB A to Usb cable.

Ok, good to hear and perhaps I overreacted. But obviously having a corded AA connection where the battery drains is untenable, since most people use the car hookup as a charging opportunity. Hence my concern.

 

[klau25]

60 is better than 80. Give it time, the price may come down or there may be others

Well what I really want is fast wireless car charger, it's more important to me than regular one since a lot of time that's when I need fast charging with GPS running and screen on full brightness. Yes hopefully they will come out soon. I really doubt the price will go down that much. I'm definitely returning the wireless charger I just got recently.

Not to be rude, but are we going to keep talking about usb cables or back on topic about wireless charging?

 

[Mike Dee]

Well what I really want is fast wireless car charger, it's more important to me than regular one since a lot of time that's when I need fast charging with GPS running and screen on full brightness. Yes hopefully they will come out soon. I really doubt the price will go down that much. I'm definitely returning the wireless charger I just got recently.

Not to be rude, but are we going to keep talking about usb cables or back on topic about wireless charging?

We try but I guess people see a relationship because it involves charging. I would prefer it to be separate. Good luck finding a wireless charger for the car especially a rapid one.

 

[Almeuit]

Looks like Google went proprietary with their charger.

https://9to5google.com/2018/10/23/pixel-3-fast-wireless-charging-pixel-stand/

Update: As it turns out, Google isn’t actually using standard Qi for its 10W fast charging. Rather, the company has implemented a proprietary method on the Pixel 3. The Pixel 3 doesn’t actually support 10W Qi charging, but caps out at 5W. According to ArsTechnica, Google will be using the “Made for Google” platform to certify some chargers, including one from Belkin, with compatibility for this 10W standard. That charger will cost $59.

 

[klau25]

Looks like Google went proprietary with their charger.

https://9to5google.com/2018/10/23/pixel-3-fast-wireless-charging-pixel-stand/

yup they did. disappointed.

 

[Robisan]

According to ArsTechnica, Google will be using the “Made for Google” platform to certify some chargers, including one from Belkin, with compatibility for this 10W standard. That charger will cost $59.

I wonder how much it costs to purchase that license from Google? Apple HQ so jealous...

 

[TraderGary]

I have no problem with the cost of the Pixel Stand as it does more than an ordinary wireless charger and it really does "Fast Charge". Kate and I both have a Pixel Stand for our identical Pixel 3 XL 128's and we like them a lot.

 

[vzwuser76]

I wonder how much it costs to purchase that license from Google? Apple HQ so jealous...

Apple was doing this long before Google did. I remember way back them putting a proprietary chip in their cords and chargers so that you had to buy products that were certified by Apple to get the performance you wanted, or to even work at all.

As for the sentiments that Google is becoming Apple and they're starting to be a for profit company now. Well, they're already for the most part giving the OS away for free. Sure in the past they were selling devices that had razor thin profit margins and in some cases took a loss (it's said that Google took a loss on the Nexus 4 and original Nexus 7). But that isn't a sustainable business model, and after doing that for years, they decide to actually make a profit off their products, we're getting angry about it? Sorry but back then they had to sell them in that way to get their foot in the door. Once they got some traction, they started selling them with higher profit margins. Is that really a bad thing? I know, free or cheap stuff is great and all, but it's not going to last forever. OnePlus started off selling there phones for $300/$350, and now they're up to $530/$630. Think of mobile phone OEMs like drug dealers, only the first one is free.

 

[klau25]

I have no problem with the cost of the Pixel Stand as it does more than an ordinary wireless charger and it really does "Fast Charge". Kate and I both have a Pixel Stand for our identical Pixel 3 XL 128's and we like them a lot.

I am fine with paying that for 1 or 2, but most of us need more than that. I will need 1 for my bedroom, 1 for office, another at work and 2 wireless chargers for each car whenever that comes out. Let say I'll get all third party cerified ones at 50 each. That's still 250 plus tax. If you add your spouse, that's another 150 plus tax.

Let's just hope more manufacturers will make them and drive the price down. That's a big if since it seems like Google is trying hard to create a premium image. The cheapest case they have now is 35 and 40 just for a temper glass protector. Luckily there's no need to buy "Made for Google" cases since there are plenty of good ones on Amazon for 10 to 20 dollars. This is the same for Qi cerified 10 W chargers that is readily available for around $20.

Most articles I read still wondering why Google is pushing this.

Quote from Android Central

"The biggest question we have is why Google is doing this. We were told at the Pixel 3 event that a custom authentication communication was developed by Google so the phone knows when you're using your stand at home, or at work, versus a public charger, and displays content accordingly. For example, the Pixel Stand allows for improved Assistant support and a photo frame "ambient mode". This makes sense and would explain the "secure" tag placed on the handshake between phone and charger. But it does nothing to explain why standard Qi charging is capped at 5 watts."

 

[Mike Dee]

I am fine with paying that for 1 or 2, but most of us need more than that. I will need 1 for my bedroom, 1 for office, another at work and 2 wireless chargers for each car whenever that comes out. Let say I'll get all third party cerified ones at 50 each. That's still 250 plus tax. If you add your spouse, that's another 150 plus tax.

Let's just hope more manufacturers will make them and drive the price down. That's a big if since it seems like Google is trying hard to create a premium image. The cheapest case they have now is 35 and 40 just for a temper glass protector. Luckily there's no need to buy "Made for Google" cases since there are plenty of good ones on Amazon for 10 to 20 dollars. This is the same for Qi cerified 10 W chargers that is readily available for around $20.

Most articles I read still wondering why Google is pushing this.

Quote from Android Central

"The biggest question we have is why Google is doing this. We were told at the Pixel 3 event that a custom authentication communication was developed by Google so the phone knows when you're using your stand at home, or at work, versus a public charger, and displays content accordingly. For example, the Pixel Stand allows for improved Assistant support and a photo frame "ambient mode". This makes sense and would explain the "secure" tag placed on the handshake between phone and charger. But it does nothing to explain why standard Qi charging is capped at 5 watts."

I hear you but I'm wondering if you might be OK without fast charging in every location. Not challenging you and of course it would be nice if there were alternatives stands. I have two older stands that aren't fast charging but were about the same rate as a wall charger and when I was at work it worked fine for me. I plan to take one to work but I always have a wall charger just in case.

 

[klau25]

I hear you but I'm wondering if you really need fast charging in every location. Not challenging you and of course it would be nice but maybe there are alternatives. I have two older stands that aren't fast charging but were about the same rate as a wall charger and when I was at work it worked fine for me.

You are probably right, I can probably use regular charging at 1 or 2 locations. Bottom line is this situation is not consumer friendly. We see this time and time again when company try to create their own standard when there is a wildly used standard out there already. Granted this is a little different since Google still gives us 5 W charging with Qi chargers. Haha, probably for PR purpose, this also explains why Google never go into details of their confusing wireless charging standards until the press starts asking questions. It just sucks that we can't fully utilize a already popular standard out there.

Like I said let's hope that price will come down for these "Made for Google" products some day.