Apple Releases New MagSafe Duo Firmware

[nutmac]

Apple carelessly designed the new iPhone 14 Pro cases so that they no longer fit on this charger's MagSafe connector properly and lift off by about 1mm because the camera frame on the case gets in the way. How did they not think to test the cases with their own charger? That's a BAD Apple. It's even more annoying that I own two of these things.

I read the article's title as "Apple Releases New MagSafe Duo", only to be disappointed with "... Firmware" postfix.

I love my MagSafe Duo but it is overdue for a refresh -- fast charging with Apple Watch, USB-C connector, and new design to accommodate larger camera bumps.

 

[JonathanParker]

Oh great, I’ve been waiting for tvOS 16.3.1 and a MagSafe duo update. I can finally sleep well at night. Yeah.

 

[kevcube]

My Ultra and iPhone 14 Max, with Apple leather case, work just fine with the Duo. It is super convenient for traveling. Both my wife and I own one for the sheer convenience. Worth every penny.

I'd love one for travel if it charged the watch at full speed.

 

[orbital~debris]

Apple carelessly designed the new iPhone 14 Pro cases so that they no longer fit on this charger's MagSafe connector properly and lift off by about 1mm because the camera frame on the case gets in the way. How did they not think to test the cases with their own charger? That's a BAD Apple. It's even more annoying that I own two of these things.

Still charges iPhone 14 Pro just fine though. All good. It's a lovely product, really great for the bedside table & for travel 😊

 

[Gengar]

I only use mine when traveling, so it’ll be awhile before I update mine.

 

[klasma]

Does the firmware update reduce the price?

It’ll reduce resale value, because collectors are looking for pristine OG firmware.

 

[UMHurricanes34]

Your iPhone will automatically install the update on the charging pad wirelessly at some point, or you can plug it to a Mac, which for other MagSafe devices has been previously reported to update it faster.

So does this mean that all MagSafe chargers have some sort of wireless communications chip inside to transfer data to and from the iPhone? Why did I not know this?

 

[fatTribble]

I’m surprised a charger like this has updatable firmware. I should probably check to see if my toaster can be updated too. Maybe it would fix my Pop-Tarts getting too hot.

 

[nicolas17]

So does this mean that all MagSafe chargers have some sort of wireless communications chip inside to transfer data to and from the iPhone? Why did I not know this?

That's how the phone tells the charger what charging power it supports, when it's done charging so the charger stops the induction coil, etc etc. Even standard Qi has a communication link like that.

 

[NT1440]

A few things:
- This charging mat/pad/thing has a firmware?
- How the hell do you update the firmware of a charging pad?
- Why does it need a firmware update anyway?

Everything that’s a computer has firmware. A Bluetooth speaker has firmware.

 

[klasma]

(nicolas17 said it better)

 

[1885507]

Either this means fast(er) charging for  Watch Series 7+ or it's a compatibility update/fix for yet-to-be-released devices.

Either way, I've had the Duo for about two years now and it hasn't skipped a beat.

 

[6787872]

this seems cool, didn't know it was a product. not worth the price though, time to find a knock off.

 

[jchurchill]

Does it fix the kernel panic when trying to recompile the gnu-utils package on the smaller magnet?

 

[dannyyankou]

I don’t believe the portion about there being no prior firmware updates is accurate. The version number on mine has changed several times - usually in sync with the standard MagSafe charger.

Yeah I could've sworn there was another update before. Maybe I'm thinking of the MagSafe battery pack.

 

[coolfactor]

I wish Apple would provide release notes for these firmware updates.

Agreed! I always ask developers to provide changelog notes. Some do a wonderful job, while others provide the same boilerplate text every time, which is annoying.

For this device, that's quite the jump in version numbers. That's a lot of changes between them, it would be nice to know what has changed.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

- Why does it need a firmware update anyway?

If it has firmware they can slow it down via an update when there's a new version to buy😉

 

[sartorius]

I didn’t get the memo that it didn’t work with the Ultra, so I’ve been using it to charge my Ultra for months without issue

Fits without a problem too (and I have all the AWU band variations).

 

[dotnet]

I didn’t get the memo that it didn’t work with the Ultra, so I’ve been using it to charge my Ultra for months without issue

It’s a good thing you found this thread, so you won’t be making that mistake anymore…

 

[rkdiddy]

Will it help with charging a 14 Pro with a case?

 

[seek3r]

Can’t believe apple still sell this product, should have been updated ages ago with fast charging for apple watch

tbh my series 6 charges fast enough normally that I don't really feel the need for fast charging, it's not like the thing has a huge battery. Makes a difference on a phone or laptop, but on the watch it's not a huge difference.

 

[russell_314]

I think everything in technology, generally, has firmware. And, these days, maybe an OS of some kind. The difference comes in whether or not they’re updatable.

I think this surprises some people. It's crazy how technology is

 

[iSayuSay]

I have Magsafe Duo and AW Ultra and I can confirm both works great!!

Sure it doesn’t have the fast charging feature, and it must be placed correctly while the Watch charger standing vertically.

The key is you must put the Ultra with digital crown facing upward otherwise the protruded case will get it misaligned, thus not charging.

 

[MacHead84]

I have no issue charging both my 14 Pro Max and AW Ultra even with a case on 🤷🏻‍♂️🙂

 

[haruhiko]

The real question is how does MacRumors know there is a new firmware for a charger?