Magnetically Attached iPhone 12 Wireless Charger Unveiled Ahead of Apple Event

[johnnytravels]

This is one of the most exciting things about the 2020 model in my opinion. It simplifies charging and brings the best from both worlds (cable, wireless).

You’re joking, right? If not, how does this simplify charging in any way, shape or form?

So instead of carrying a simple cable in my travel bag... I have to carry this big puck? And it still has a cable?

Man... Apple will do anything to remove holes from their devices...

Agreed, it’s almost like an obsession for them. And every time they do that, usability becomes more complicated. It feels a bit like they are testing how stupid we all are (judging from some of the comments here, pretty stupid). Maybe an EU regulation is our last hope after all

 

[HardRain]

I have a great idea: you connect a cable to the phone via a small hole in the phone and that cable is connected to the wall which delivers electricity over the cable at rates much faster than this supposed wireless charging. It’s an incredible invention let me tell you. I call it a “plug”.

Genius, pure genius. All hail the plug!

 

[polyphenol]

I don't see this working with cases. Simply too thick for the magnets to attach properly. Unless magnets are also in the cases.

That would appear to be the obvious answer. (I said as much yesterday.)

Cases with this charging thing built-in. So the case connects to USB-A/C, vehicle power, etc.

 

[arvinsim]

Might as well plug in wired...

 

[George Dawes]

I’ve got a white belkin one for my 8 plus

what’s so new about this ?

 

[justperry]

I don't see the how this is convenient, if it is attached to the iPhone magnetically you have to pull it of, there doesn't seem to be a lot of weight in the charger so it will be cumbersome.

 

[AlexESP]

I still have to watch the event to judge this. But I think one thing is clear: the plug will die, sooner or later, just like everything that can be resolved without a physical access, because removing it has obvious upsides. Anyone denying that fact and advocating for the plug in the near future because it’s convenient enough is blind, like with DVDs, Flash or the minijack.

 

[otternonsense]

This is a baffling overdesigned "solution" to a problem that doesn't exist :/
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I still have to watch the event to judge this. But I think one thing is clear: the plug will die, sooner or later, just like everything that can be resolved without a physical access, because removing it has obvious upsides. Anyone denying that fact and advocating for the plug in the near future because it’s convenient enough is blind, like with DVDs, Flash or the minijack.

What exactly are the upsides that this massive magnetic puck facilitates?

 

[otternonsense]

Lightning wasn’t ubiquitous when apple dropped the 25 pin connector, and lots of cars (mine included) had 25 pin docks for iPods and iphones back then. Apple doesn’t care.

The most LOGICAL step is going usb-c. The most courageous, Cook-worthy avant garde overcomplication that will generate new revenue streams for Apple by rendering all users' habits and peripherals useless is this magnetic nonsense right there.

 

[goobot]

Remember how palm did this in 2010

 

[andywaynebrooks]

This is very similar to the new charger Apple will be announcing tomorrow. Apple’s is white. It looks like a smaller version of AirPower. There is also a larger dual version as well. you will never need to hunt for the “sweet spot” with these wireless chargers again. It sucks it right into place. It always finds the sweet spot. This will be big for 3rd party accessory makers too and for use in cars.
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Remember how palm did this in 2010

No

 

[andywaynebrooks]

The most LOGICAL step is going usb-c. The most courageous, Cook-worthy avant garde overcomplication that will generate new revenue streams for Apple by rendering all users' habits and peripherals useless is this magnetic nonsense right there.

They are skipping USB C in iPhone. the long term plan is NO PORTS at all within about 2-4 years.

 

[otternonsense]

They are skipping USB C in iPhone. the long term plan is NO PORTS at all within about 2-4 years.

Whose plan? Only Ive was obsessed with creating unusable monoblock slabs to show off in design museums, and he's long gone.

 

[Neeldenn]

Wow, that’s exactly what I want from a pro device like the iPhone and boy I’ve been patently waiting for this....
/irony

I’ve skipped the jump from the iPhone X to the 11 Pro, because I wanted a high refresh display like the pixel 4 was doing already in that year. Also I’d like to see fast charging and a USB C port, but instead they come up with this crap! And even though I’m well aware that there are good android options out there, I’m just too damn much invested in the Apple eco system and love the whole usability of it...

 

[Ramchi]

So you need to remove your case to charge with with this wireless woven sized magnet every time? If you are not careful enough the force it attracts the mobile can make dents and May even scratch the glass during the process or while removing the attachment, may not be a good design from usability point.

 

[andywaynebrooks]

This is a baffling overdesigned "solution" to a problem that doesn't exist :/
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What exactly are the upsides that this massive magnetic puck facilitates?

never hunting for that perfect alignment when charging now that magnets suck it into perfect alignment every time, and it stays connected a bit tighter. never wake up in the mornig to discover your phone did not charge because it was bumped just an inch off the charger the night before. Expect a quote like that tomorrow.

 

[andywaynebrooks]

So you need to remove your case to charge with with this wireless woven sized magnet every time? If you are not careful enough the force it attracts the mobile can make dents and May even scratch the glass during the process or while removing the attachment, may not be a good design from usability point.

The magsafe charging puck apple is releasing is softer than glass and will not scratch the back at all. It will work through most cases but the new Magic Case will have magnets to hold it tighter.

 

[andywaynebrooks]

I don't see the how this is convenient, if it is attached to the iPhone magnetically you have to pull it of, there doesn't seem to be a lot of weight in the charger so it will be cumbersome.

It will work exactly like the Apple Watch.

 

[otternonsense]

never hunting for that perfect alignment when charging now that magnets suck it into perfect alignment every time, and it stays connected a bit tighter. never wake up in the mornig to discover your phone did not charge because it was bumped just an inch off the charger the night before. Expect a quote like that tomorrow.

That's such a niche problem, also assuming that enough users have a magnetic charger by their bedstead.

 

[gigapocket1]

If you think this port will be charging only... I think you are greatly mistaken.

 

[otternonsense]

It will work exactly like the Apple Watch.

different devices, different use cases

 

[andywaynebrooks]

I still have to watch the event to judge this. But I think one thing is clear: the plug will die, sooner or later, just like everything that can be resolved without a physical access, because removing it has obvious upsides. Anyone denying that fact and advocating for the plug in the near future because it’s convenient enough is blind, like with DVDs, Flash or the minijack.

Exactly. A bunch of people will complain and then they will forget about it. They Are the exact same kind of people who complained about the first iMac ditching the floppy drive or the iPhone not having a removable battery and a physical keyboard.

 

[johnnytravels]

Whose plan? Only Ive was obsessed with creating unusable monoblock slabs to show off in design museums, and he's long gone.

True, but Cook saw the business opportunities in that approach. Hence we got all the nonsense we currently have and will get more of the same.

 

[otternonsense]

The magsafe charging puck apple is releasing is softer than glass and will not scratch the back at all. It will work through most cases but the new Magic Case will have magnets to hold it tighter.

Maybe fill us in how you're so confident about all that? Do you work for Apple?
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True, but Cook saw the business opportunities in that approach. Hence we got all the nonsense we currently have and will get more of the same.

Worse, customers still buy into his 💩 in droves.

 

[andywaynebrooks]

Genius, pure genius. All hail the plug!

If Henry Ford asked customers what they wanted they would have demanded a faster horse. Apple is not your kind of company. Think different.