Apple Unveils 'AirPower' Multi-Device Wireless Charging Accessory Coming Next Year

[MacRumors]

At its iPhone-centric event that saw the unveiling of the new iPhone X and iPhone 8 equipped with Qi wireless charging capabilities, Apple announced a new wireless charging accessory called "AirPower."

Designed as a simple oval-shaped white charging mat, AirPower is able to charge the iPhone X and the iPhone 8 inductively. It also works with the Apple Watch Series 3 models and a new AirPods charging case that was briefly mentioned during the keynote.

The new AirPods charging case is identical to the current case, with the exception of a new indicator light located on the outside of the body and the wireless charging capabilities.

In addition to being able to charge through Apple's AirPower charging mat, the new iPhone X and the iPhone 8 will also be able to charge using Qi-based charging accessories. Apple will partner with companies like Mophie and Belkin to create iPhone-specific accessories, but all Qi chargers should work as event videos showed the iPhone charging in cafes and other locations.

According to Apple, its AirPower charging mat uses a new kind of charging standard that is able to support multiple devices at once, so it won't be immediately available.

Apple plans to ship the AirPower in 2018, but a more specific launch date hasn't been announced. Pricing is also unknown at this time.

Article Link: Apple Unveils 'AirPower' Multi-Device Wireless Charging Accessory Coming Next Year

 

[Glassed Silver]

AirPower...

Glassed Silver:mac

edit: really? No emojis? The one time I need them... meh, have a graphic of my tweet then

 

[erpetao]

Should have been called Apple Juice

 

[Spendlove]

Where's the future wireless charging iPad gonna fit?

 

[maxfromdenmark]

AirPower - the new, more powerful vacuum cleaner!

 

[farewelwilliams]

so...is the airpods case standard on new airpods purchases or does everyone need to buy it separately?

 

[dschulian]

He explicitly said "Series 3", so I'm courious what my "Series 0" would do.

 

[Recognition]

I wonder if we’ll be able to buy the AirPod case separately without the AirPods for those of us who have the 1st gen?

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[BJMRamage]

so the larger wireless charging mats do not currently allow for charging of multiple devices?

only Apple Air Power pad does?

 

[btrach144]

Any chance series 2 apple watches will work? I know they said series 3 in the event.

 

[44267547]

so...is the airpods case standard on new airpods purchases or does everyone need to buy it separately?

Just a guess, when these go for sale, this will be the version that will be available only and the previous Airpods will be discontinued.

 

[jimmirehman]

Can I charge my iPhone while it’s in my wallet case, without frying my credit cards?

 

[potatis]

Just waiting for Apple RC chopper AirWolf to land on this mat.

 

[twinlight]

I was expecting a puck with charging within a feet around it but this will probably be okay too. Wish they add the same wireless charging for the Beats headphones. But they was just updated with W1 so don't see this happening for a couple of years.

I do like the nightstand feature on the Watch. That will probably not work on the charging pad.

 

[Mike MA]

That image makes me wanna purchase all of them!

 

[DisNerd]

My Apple Watch has the link bracelet and I about fell out of my chair when I realized how god awful charging it on this thing would be

 

[bbeagle]

so the larger wireless charging mats do not currently allow for charging of multiple devices?

only Apple Air Power pad does?

They exist, for up to 2 devices, but only for devices that take the same amount of wattage for charging. Or different placements on the mat, where a 2-device charger actually is 2 one-device chargers, and the devices must be placed on specific spots.

I think most of them are 5W chargers right now.

If you have a 5W device and a 2.5W device, they will both charge at the 2.5W level. I think maybe this charger is different?

(Samsung makes a 3-device wireless charger, but the 3rd device must be plugged into a USB port on the device. This is sort of a lie that it supports 3 devices wirelessly)

NOTE: I'm still trying to understand this myself, and Apple has given very few details.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Hmm, what about the wrap around bands such as milanese loop or link bracelet?

 

[Nalmond92]

5 years ago

One cable 3 devices is though!

 

[DisNerd]

Hmm, what about the wrap around bands such as milanese loop or link bracelet?

You can pull the Milanese loop all the way through I think. The link bracelet seems rather hosed here though.Edit: upon further investigation you can't buy a series 3 with a link bracelet

 

[sos47]

this is innovation

 

[Pilgrim1099]

5 years ago

And 5 years later, it's still plugged into the wall regardless.

Phil = jacka$$.

 

[macpanzer]

This kind of "wireless" charging is a gimmick. With a wire plugged in to my phone (or tablet) I can use it at the same time as it charges. With such "wireless" charging I'm stuck to only charging or only using.

I can't believe Apple actually decided to do this with their products... They used to be smart in the past. Now it's just market hype and to have feature parity with other brands, no matter how dumb a feature is.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

5 years ago

They weren't sure it was the best route at the time. They explored it and sadly the industry hasn't seen much innovation in that time. They didn't tout it as some world changing feature. Simply another added feature some may enjoy but the did seem to indicate they still weren't overly happy with the abilities, which is why it wasn't talked up much. I guarantee they're still looking into other options.

People and companies change their mind. This was 5 years ago. I'm willing to bet there are things you feel differently about now than you did 5 years ago.