Apple Allegedly Continues to Work on AirPower-Like Charging Mat With A11 Chip to Prevent Overheating [Update: Images Fake]

[MacRumors]

Apple continues to work on an AirPower-like wireless charging mat that would be able to charge multiple devices at once, according to leaker Jon Prosser, who shared photos of an alleged prototype codenamed "C68" today.

The mat shown in the photo looks identical to the AirPower mat that Apple previewed in 2017, planned to release in 2018, but canceled in 2019. Prosser previously said that Apple was facing issues with Apple Watch charging, but it has apparently overcome that problem, with both an Apple Watch and AirPods Pro case shown charging on the mat.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1273612718306668544

Apple revealed its plans for the AirPower mat at its iPhone X event in September 2017. The key feature of the mat is that it would have been able to charge a compatible iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods case simultaneously, regardless of each device's position on the mat, and it also would have offered deep integration with iOS.

Apple canceled the AirPower in March 2019, noting that the mat failed to meet its high standards, without diving into specifics. Thanks to patents, we do know that the AirPower was equipped with several overlapping coils inside, and leaker Sonny Dickson previously indicated that one of the primary issues with the mat was overheating.

A few months ago, Prosser claimed that Apple has addressed overheating with its latest wireless charging mat prototypes by reducing the number of coils and integrating an A11 chip that can dynamically manage heat. Prosser added that the mat could be released between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021 if testing is successful.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1249752121551003648

In January, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecasted that one of Apple's major new hardware products in the first half of 2020 would include a "smaller wireless charging mat," but this is believed to be a single-device solution. That mat could be announced at WWDC 2020 next week, but it is quite possible that timing has changed due to the global health crisis.

Update: The images of the alleged wireless charging prototype have turned out to be fake.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1275307761836806144

Article Link: Apple Allegedly Continues to Work on AirPower-Like Charging Mat With A11 Chip to Prevent Overheating [Update: Images Fake]

 

[Bazooka-joe]

This was always something that I figured that they would never completely abandon. They can take what they learnt from Airpower and introduce a simpler solution

 

[alfonsog]

$250 sounds right if they call it AirPower Pro

 

[dmylrea]

Hard to imagine the power of an A11 chip just to manage a charging mat!

That's like putting an i7 CPU in a microwave oven to run the timer and monitor the auto-cooking modes!

 

[ppetrovic]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

You gotta give them credit for being persistent and not giving up.

Whether it's good or bad, Apple is a company that usually goes all in when they have set their minds to something.

 

[blairh]

Watch looks better charging on a stand versus flat on a surface.

 

[barnyard]

$250? hard pass!

 

[diego.caraballo]

The chargerOS on those crash and you have 3 devices barbecued and probably you house is gone too. Hard to think that Apple will launch a device with such poor antecedents. It will not easy to build trust. Does it will support 2 or 3 watches at same time? If one can combust the whole thing...If you can only place one Watch, then the whole design is pointless. Just do as everyone else and show the specific placement point for each device.

 

[Wags]

I think big reason still working on this might be still wanting to remove lighting port. Would be weird to sell device without anyway from Apple to charge. Also increased revenue if people have to pay additional to charge the device.

 

[supergt]

I’ll wait for AirPower SE.

 

[djcerla]

Watch looks better charging on a stand versus flat on a surface.

Yes. AirPower was a stupid idea from the start as it precludes nightstand mode.

 

[boswald]

I so want one! Been waiting ages for a first-party charging mat for my devices!

 

[easy4lif]

@. 250 I’d buy 2. 1 for work. And 1 for home

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Anyone know how this thing is gonna work with sport loops? I know you can invert the band, but the edges of the band still kind of push up on the watch. I'm not sure if it'll sit flat enough to charge. Anyone have a knock off version that they've had success with?

 

[ChrisMoBro]

@. 250 I’d buy 2. 1 for work. And 1 for home

And a third just to show everyone how rich you are.

 

[Rudy69]

It's cool, there's nothing I hate more than waking up to a dead phone because i was too sleepy when i crawled in bed and didn't align my phone properly to charge.

BUT! There's no way I'm spending $250 for a charging mat

 

[btrach144]

Not these rumors again

 

[JosephAW]

Needs to be able to charge or at least maintain your watch battery while wearing it for sleep tracking with some type of near-field technology.

 

[EvilEvil]

Here we go again!

 

[Basic75]

If it needs an A11 for heat management then perhaps it's just not a good idea. I know that I'm not spending 250 for a charging mat, heck, I wouldn't even buy it for 50.

 

[x-evil-x]

Watch looks better charging on a stand versus flat on a surface.

But the mat looks like crap then with something sticking out of it. if you want a completely flush mat that works with the watch it’s thicker than what other companies have done.

 

[Basic75]

Needs to be able to charge or at least maintain your watch battery while wearing it for sleep tracking with some type of near-field technology.

Just what I need, a device that intentionally directs energy beams at me while I'm sleeping.

 

[Dustman]

I assume they're still working on this because they're still working on a port-less iPhone. I sincerely hope that if they do launch this along side a port-less iPhone that we get a charger in box that works in a similar fashion as the Apple Watch charger does. I still want to be able to use my phone while its charging which is the main reason I use a cord 80% of the time. There better be a way to have a charger connected at least magnetically.

 

[munpip214]

Apple will not announce this unless they are shipping. They aren’t that going to make that mistake again.