The Cupertino, California-based company is developing new wireless charging tech for iPhones that could be ready as soon as 2017,Bloomberg reported Friday, citing unnamed sources familiar with Apple's plans.

Wireless charging technology isn't new. Several iPhone rivals have incorporated it, allowing people to drop their phones on a charging mat instead of fiddling with cables. Apple, though, is reportedly investigating ways to charge iPhones and iPads from farther away. That poses a challenge because efficiency decreases with distance, so it takes longer to charge a battery.

This may be a challenge for Apple, but the technology could be a boon to device owners. The USB cables you use to charge devices are flimsy and inconvenient. Long-distance wireless charging could let you juice up your phone without taking it out of your bag or pocket and continue charging it while you use it at your desk.