Updated: BlackBerry Bold 9900 Has Wireless Charging Built In?


Update: We just heard from another reliable source that the contacts on the back are not for inductive charging but rather just for the NFC antenna. We knew that it had an NFC antenna in the cover but we will be keeping an eye on this one. Check the picture above to see what the contacts look like.

9900Bold_blk_Back BlackBerry Bold Charging Wireless Back

We knew that RIM was looking into wireless charging but it seems like they were holding back when they announced the BlackBerry Bold 9900 in May. We have been hearing rumors about RIM adding wireless charging but now two sources have confirmed the story. They heard from RIM that the BlackBerry Bold 9900 is packing wireless charging inside. We know that RIM is part of the Qi Wireless Consortium which promotes magnetic inductive charging (unlike conductive which has metal exposed) but I have not been able to confirm that it is using inductive charging.

From what we are hearing the technology is built into the back cover which connects to the device. There are also two tiny prongs on the bottom of the device possibly for a cradle. I am really excited to see RIM getting in on the forefront of a new technology with wireless charging. This is the kind of engineering that will create buzz sort of like the Palm Touchstone wireless charger. It could also explain why this Bold 9900 is eschewing the faux leather back cover for this new meshed metal design. Originally we were told that the back cover was for NFC communication but it looks like it will be pulling double duty.

I am still trying to confirm this rumor but the signs seem to be pointing in this direction… RIM has also been really hush about the Wi-Fi mobile hotspot feature in BlackBerry 7 devices so this could just be another hush feature.

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