Here's a quick look at what's probably going to be announced during Apple's "There's more in the Making" event being held on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Yes, there might be some surprises.
For those patiently awaiting the arrival of a new iPad Pro or next-generation Mac, the first nine months of 2018 have been disappointing. Except for the lightly updated MacBook Pro announced in July, Apple hasn't released any new products in either lineup this year. That could soon change, however.
Is the long-delayed AirPower wireless charger still delayed or no longer under consideration? No one but Apple knows for sure. Nonetheless, two new clues suggest it will launch -- someday.
As Twitter user Gavin Stephens was the first to note, the manual for the iPhone XS Max mentions the charging device. In a "getting started guide" are the words: “Place iPhone with screen facing up on AirPoweror a Qi-certified wireless charger.”
https://twitter.com/ccgavind/status/1042917075675541504
Additionally, 9to5Mac has discovered some information in the first iOS 12.1 developer beta that suggests the AirPower project continues to move forward.
Looking into iOS 12.1, we noticed that the component of iOS responsible for managing the charging interface that appears when using AirPower has been updated, which means that Apple is still actively working on the project.
The AirPower was first announced on Sept. 12, 2017, and was designed to inductively charge multiple Apple devices at once, including many that were also announced on that date, such as the third-generation Apple Watch, iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg said Apple planned on releasing the wireless device before the end of September. It said continued problems with AirPower’s multi-device charging mechanism was the reason for the device’s long delay.
I don't believe the AirPower mention in the iPhone XS Max manual means that much. This document could have been printed weeks ago, and Apple could have decided that republishing them before the iPhone XS Max release would be too costly.
The information 9to5Mac found in the iOS 12.1 beta, however, is not as easy to discount. If the AirPower was no longer under consideration, I'd think any reference to it would have been removed from a new iOS beta.
Hopefully, we'll hear more from Apple soon.
What do you think? Will we ever see an AirPower charging pad in the wild? Let us know your opinion in the notes below.
Apple never announced a launch date for the AirPower wireless charger. However, it's probably safe to assume no one at the company figured it would still be missing in action one year after it was first teased. Now, despite a rumor to the contrary, the folks over at MacRumors are now suggesting the device won't be released after today's event,
Eleven months ago, Apple introduced an all-new inductive charging case for AirPods. That case, which is finally expected to be released in the coming weeks, is likely to work with any Qi-certified charging mat, according to the Chinese website, Chongdiantou.
Apple's long-delayed AirPower wireless charging pad for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, could be priced at around $149 when it arrives this fall. This news comes from Chinese website Chongdiantou (via LoveiOS), which claims the price came from "industry insiders."
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple plans on releasing its long-delayed inductive AirPower charging mat "before or in September." The product, first announced last September, allows you to charge certain Apple devices all at once including the iPhone X.
According to Gurman:
Apple didn’t say when in 2018 it would release AirPower, but engineers hoped to launch the charger by June. The aim now is to put it on sale before or in September, according to one of the people. In recent months, some Apple engineers have ramped up testing of the device by using it as their charger at the office, another person said.
The oval-shaped AirPower accessory announced during last year's iPhone X event can inductively charge multiple Apple devices at once, including the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and Apple Watch Series 3. An optional charging case for AirPods, which is also missing in action, will also work with the charging mat.
There have been numerous delays for the AirPower since it was announced last year. The accessory was once thought to be arriving in March and then June. In the meantime, third-party alternatives have launched.
As Gurman explains of the delays:
An executive at an Apple partner that manufactures third-party wireless chargers for iPhones, who asked not to be identified, said that the multi-device charging mechanism is challenging to build because it likely requires different sized charging components for the three types of devices, which would all overlap across the mat.
It makes sense for Apple to push the AirPower release date to September. By doing so, the company will have the opportunity to reintroduce the product alongside this year's iPhone and iPad Pro product lines. Each is expected to feature wireless charging capabilities; for the latter, for the first time.
Apple hasn't announced a price for the AirPower.
Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes said Tuesday that Apple is about to launch its multi-device Qi wireless charger, called AirPower, before the end of March.
As we await Apple's AirPower charging mat, alternatives continue to crop up. Plux has been my favorite to date, improving on a number of design elements.
Fairly reliable Japanese outlet Mac Otakara has spoken (Google Translate) to reliable sources who have reportedly confirmed Friday that Apple would be kicking off sales of its AirPower wireless charging accessory next month.
A new rumor published yesterday by an outlet without a reliable track record in predicting Apple's product roadmap has made claims that the firm will release its AirPower wireless charging mat and AirPods wireless charging case as soon as next month.
When Apple debuted the new 2017 iPhone models with support for wireless charging, they previewed an upcoming product called AirPower. AirPower is a charging mat that will let you charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods wirelessly at the same time.
The rumored price on such a lust-worthy device? Possibly close to $200. Funxim, a new kickstarter project, looks to get you two thirds of the way there for only $29.