Apple Officially Cancels AirPower

[PickUrPoison]

It's nice to see that even mammoth companies can't help but announce early and fail to deliver. (If you've ever worked for a sales-focused CEO, you know this pain.) This is quite the surprise. Feels like it happened because Apple organizationally just believed it could overcome problems that they HAD to be aware of from the start. Even with recent product releases they were still showing pictures. Crazy.

Turns out the problem was way harder than they thought. And frankly... I never saw the allure. I use an inductive charger on my watch because I have no other option but for the most part, wireless chargers are pretty meh—especially for the price.

You say sales-focused CEO like that’s a bad thing... I could tell you several horror stories of CEOs who were so enamored of the technology that they lost sight of other things just as important, if not more so. Like whether anyone wants to buy what you’re building But yeah, I’m sure being overly focused on sales can be just as big a disaster.

In any case, I think it’s likely that Cook is the one who pulled the plug.

 

[Zanton68]

Which Belkin wireless charging pad does what the image in post 909 shows?

Sorry..similar to Belkin. Belkin do charging pads....I would have thought Apple could take what Belkin have done and improve it
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Yeah, they’ve learned their lesson on that one. Ridiculous to announce something that wasn’t ready and fully functional. Just not smart.

I also think there is a lot more to this story, but we will never know.

Yes..all a bit odd. Though they launched Apple Maps.....

 

[KGBguy]

Thats ridiculous the largest company in the world couldn't build a charging pad.

LOL you are funny, bud. I'm not sure why it would be ridiculous, but I'm sure there were good reasons. Do you really think that Apple would miss an opportunity where they can profit? (Which is a good thing). Probably technology is not there yet for it to be cost effective for Apple in the consumer market.

 

[Abazigal]

It's nice to see that even mammoth companies can't help but announce early and fail to deliver. (If you've ever worked for a sales-focused CEO, you know this pain.) This is quite the surprise. Feels like it happened because Apple organizationally just believed it could overcome problems that they HAD to be aware of from the start. Even with recent product releases they were still showing pictures. Crazy.

Turns out the problem was way harder than they thought. And frankly... I never saw the allure. I use an inductive charger on my watch because I have no other option but for the most part, wireless chargers are pretty meh—especially for the price.

To be fair, if Steve Jobs too had listened to his engineers instead of telling them to go figure out how to work around those issues, we wouldn’t have gotten many of the products that we did either.

 

[gijoeinla]

Apple is starting to resemble to Google!
Except Google actually ships them at least but then cancels them.

Try working with Google on NEST products. Total cluster F....! Makes apples products and support far superior.

 

[pat500000]

Next news: Mac Pro cancelled because Apple cannot figure out anymore how to make a desktop computer.

Next article: mac pro team disbanded.

 

[AppleScruff1]

If it were Samsung, they would release the product and let it blow up.

And then fix it.

 

[44267547]

Realistically, Apple canceling the Airpower is the best possible scenario. And I say that because, the Airpower if it had been released and let’s say others were experiencing issues inside their home that posed a safety concern, that will only make Apple look much worse releasing a product that may not have been ready to begin with. So for them to apologize and not release something that wasn’t ready, at least shows they can acknowledge the fact that this product wasn’t on their level of expectations. So, I commend Apple for coming forward and at least owning this project would not be successful.

 

[Kinotto]

Next article: mac pro team disbanded.

Next keynote: “We care about our customers, that’s why Apple won’t make any more computers. We instead decided to reinvent ourselves as a services company with focus on breakthrough mobile games and tv series, to fill your life with incredible moments in the company of your loved ones”

 

[jno211]

Come on, 1500 comments, and only 5 calling april fool’s ? This one has it written all over the face !

Airpower will launch on Monday or Tuesday, and will stand out with its technical qualities , instant success, and the way it created the buzz shortly before its release.

Remember Apple almost invented the buzz, when they set up an employee forgetting the next iPhone (was it the 4 ?) in a bar, just in time for someone to take a « stolen » shot and post it ?

 

[I7guy]

Come on, 1500 comments, and only 5 calling april fool’s ? This one has it written all over the face !

Airpower will launch on Monday or Tuesday, and will stand out with its technical qualities , instant success, and the way it created the buzz shortly before its release.

Remember Apple almost invented the buzz, when they set up an employee forgetting the next iPhone (was it the 4 ?) in a bar, just in time for someone to take a « stolen » shot and post it ?

LOL, would love to see this happen, but I can believe Apple would stoop so low for this type of publicity... they really don't need it.

 

[tekfranz]

So Apple is involved in a Legal Battle with Qualcomm. Qualcomm offers a Quick Charge technology. Apple seems to prefer USB PD (Power Delivery). Is there a chance that Air Power needed to be cancelled for some reason due to the current litigation and perhaps their use or non-use of Quick Charge Technolgy? For example what if an iPhone with a Qualcomm Chip would not be allowed to charge using USB PD technology or maybe the Intel Chip would be restricted from using Qualcomm Quick Charge due to patents and royalties, etc....And what if some how AirPower was where the conflict with Qualcomm became evident?

 

[DotCom2]

Try working with Google on NEST products. Total cluster F....! Makes apples products and support far superior.

What problems are you having with Nest? I have two of them and love them. No problems here.

 

[Soccertess]

Since you made a blanket statement, I’ll counter with one....no it doesn’t. Apple has been on a roll with a innovative products, even if you have no interest in them.

I would only agree with Airpods as innovative. Apple watch to some extent.

Iphones (cash cow) is lacking, and android has done an amazing job.
Siri - (finally understands what you can say, but search results or horrid and can't do anything
Macbooks Air (finally a good update, too bad they choked on power)
Mac Mini (finally up to par!)
mac pro (need I say more)
Homepod - Biggest waste of money - god forbid someone things outside the box and wants to listen to music not approved by Apple. NO audio in? Airplay only - wtf!? God forbid the 70% of world smart phones comes over and wants to play some music.
Apple TV - Up until now it has been an utter disappointment, with a controller that hardly functions.


Sorry, Apple is not on a ROLL. AND to quote all the apple fanboys who have constantly quoted share price as proof that Apple was killing it? SORRY - MARKET HAS SPOKEN about your roll...

 

[Abazigal]

Next keynote: “We care about our customers, that’s why Apple won’t make any more computers. We instead decided to reinvent ourselves as a services company with focus on breakthrough mobile games and tv series, to fill your life with incredible moments in the company of your loved ones”

I almost don’t mind seeing this happen just for the reactions of the haters here.

 

[Stella]

Since when have apple participated in an April’s fool?

It’s still March today.

Come on, 1500 comments, and only 5 calling april fool’s ? This one has it written all over the face !

Airpower will launch on Monday or Tuesday, and will stand out with its technical qualities , instant success, and the way it created the buzz shortly before its release.

Remember Apple almost invented the buzz, when they set up an employee forgetting the next iPhone (was it the 4 ?) in a bar, just in time for someone to take a « stolen » shot and post it ?

 

[I7guy]

I would only agree with Airpods as innovative. Apple watch to some extent.

Iphones (cash cow) is lacking, and android has done an amazing job.
Siri - (finally understands what you can say, but search results or horrid and can't do anything
Macbooks Air (finally a good update, too bad they choked on power)
Mac Mini (finally up to par!)
mac pro (need I say more)
Homepod - Biggest waste of money - god forbid someone things outside the box and wants to listen to music not approved by Apple. NO audio in? Airplay only - wtf!? God forbid the 70% of world smart phones comes over and wants to play some music.
Apple TV - Up until now it has been an utter disappointment, with a controller that hardly functions.


Sorry, Apple is not on a ROLL. AND to quote all the apple fanboys who have constantly quoted share price as proof that Apple was killing it? SORRY - MARKET HAS SPOKEN about your roll...

I have a different take. Android has only made incremental improvements. Homepods are innovative, even if one doesn't want to purchase them. Airplay, I find it cool Denon receiver can be used with airplay 2 (or if I want bluetooth). AW, series 4 hit it out of the court with EKG.

I said this all along that sometimes innovation gets lost in a personal definition. With the above being my personal definition.

 

[cmaier]

So Apple is involved in a Legal Battle with Qualcomm. Qualcomm offers a Quick Charge technology. Apple seems to prefer USB PD (Power Delivery). Is there a chance that Air Power needed to be cancelled for some reason due to the current litigation and perhaps their use or non-use of Quick Charge Technolgy? For example what if an iPhone with a Qualcomm Chip would not be allowed to charge using USB PD technology or maybe the Intel Chip would be restricted from using Qualcomm Quick Charge due to patents and royalties, etc....And what if some how AirPower was where the conflict with Qualcomm became evident?

No

 

[trifid]

Does anyone own the Nomad charging base? I'm curious how much of an issue if any is finding the 'sweet' spot in real life usage. Most reviews on Youtube don't do much testing, I can't find a comprehensive testing of different placements, but from what I've seen it seems from normal usage people are very happy and don't complain about placement.

It makes me wonder if Apple's pursuit of this was just futile and unnecessary to do 30+ coils, and perhaps products like the Nomad with just 3 coils are good enough.

I know for a fact vertical stands work 100% (mine has only 2 coils) and I can place my device in the dark without even looking and it works 100% every day. Perhaps a horizontal pad was the wrong idea from the start as well. And I've seen vertical pads for multiple devices too.

 

[jno211]

LOL, would love to see this happen, but I can believe Apple would stoop so low for this type of publicity... they really don't need it.

Cancelling would stoop much lower.

Technically, I can see some challenges, but to the point of dropping it ? Apple ? With all the AirPower ecosystem and business potential ?

Noo wayyy !!!

 

[HiRez]

Well, now that Apple isn’t going to release a wireless charger, wireless charging is unnecessary. If they did release it, it would have been vital and you wouldn’t be able to live without it. I hope that clears things up a bit.

Haha, but no. I buy tons of things from Apple but the AirPower (or any "wireless" charging system) always seemed unnecessary to me right from the start. I just don't understand anything so-called "wireless" that you still need to plug in, what's the point? It's kind of like Tesla's "autopilot" that you still have to pay strict attention to, if I need to pay attention to the road then I'm just going to drive the freakin car myself.
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One advantage to wireless charging is that it saves wear and tear on the Lightning and/or USB C ports. When those wear out it entails $70 to $90 dollars for replacement by independent shops, likely a lot more from Apple. Apple charges $99 if you have AppleCare, much more if you don't.

I guess if you're not careful with your stuff. I've never had a lightning or USB cable or port fail on me so this is a non-issue for me personally.

 

[jno211]

Since when have apple participated in an April’s fool?

It’s still March today.

They don’t participate this year either. They did a March prank, and will make a real announcement on April 1st. That’s innovation

At least that’s my bet !

 

[SactoGuy18]

Haha, but no. I buy tons of things from Apple but the AirPower (or any "wireless" charging system) always seemed unnecessary to me right from the start.

Especially when if you're still willing to do wired charging, way cheaper alternatives are available. I myself got an Anker Elite dual 12W/2.4A port USB-A charger and three Anker PowerLine USB-A to Lightning cables for US$35; it charges both my iPhone X and my newer iPad Pro 10.5" pretty reasonably quickly with no fuss.

 

[MaxGravy]

Sorry if this was already posted, but airpower is dead dead dead.

 

[Kinotto]

I almost don’t mind seeing this happen just for the reactions of the haters here.

Not hater, disappointed customer.
I’d rather see Apple use his resources to design a proper keyboard than to hire Oprah.