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Google has a top-secret project to revolutionize smartphone battery technology

Published Apr 10th, 2015 4:09PM EDT
Google X Lab Battery Project

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Gadget fans’ most common gripes usually revolve around their favorite devices’ battery power. Although battery life is certainly improving every single year, it sounds like Google is working on ways to make it leap forward like never before. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google’s X laboratory is working on a top-secret project to dramatically improve battery power and efficiency as part of a broader plan to control more of the hardware supply chain.

FROM EARLIER: How to change the Galaxy S6 battery yourself in 5 steps

How secret is “top secret,” you ask? So secret that the team working on this project is believed to only consist of four people. One of them is very likely Dr. Ramesh Bhardwaj, who formerly worked on battery technology at Apple before crossing sides and moving to Mountain View. The team has been working on this battery technology since at least 2012, the Journal reports, although it doesn’t sound like the publication has any idea how close they are to making major breakthroughs.

Long-lasting batteries are key to many of Google’s ambitions — one of the main complaints about its Google Glass headset, for instance, was that it had poor battery power. If the company has ambitions to get into vehicles such as drones and self-driving electric cars, it will similarly need to have first-rate batteries.

Check out the Journal’s full report on Google’s secret battery project by clicking here.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.