Multiple USB-C Apple Accessories Reportedly Planned, All-New 'Stackable' MagSafe Battery Pack in Development

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to refresh many of its accessories to add a USB-C port following the transition away from Lightning on the iPhone 15 lineup, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman told MacRumors.

On the most recent episode of The MacRumors Show podcast, Gurman said that Apple is seeking to move to USB-C across its lineup of accessories by next year, including all of its AirPods models and Mac accessories. The transition will apparently be relatively fast, mirroring the transition to the Lightning connector following its introduction in 2012.

"They're going to need to do a new MagSafe Duo with USB-C," Gurman said, and Apple "certainly can update the MagSafe battery pack" to add USB-C. It is not entirely clear if these refreshed accessories will be introduced at Apple's "Wonderlust" event on Tuesday, September 12.

Gurman also mused that the now-discontinued Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock could be reintroduced with a USB-C port. Although Apple needs to refresh a large selection of its cables and accessories relatively quickly, he is "not expecting any curveballs or any brand new types of accessories" to be announced at the iPhone 15 Apple event.

In addition, Gurman explained that a new MagSafe Battery Pack is in development, but it is likely not yet ready to be introduced. The next-generation battery pack involves a new concept that allows users to "daisy-chain" multiple battery packs together by stacking them and wirelessly charge multiple devices at the same time. For example, it will be possible to charge two iPhones at the same time, with one placed on either side of the battery pack. It will also, of course, feature a USB-C port.

Gurman said that he does not think the new AirPods Pro with a USB-C port on the charging case, due to be announced next week, will be marketed as "third-generation AirPods Pro." The third-generation AirPods Pro will be a more significant update launching next year or early 2025, Gurman claimed. Listen to The MacRumors Show podcast for Gurman's full thoughts and expectations.

Article Link: Multiple USB-C Apple Accessories Reportedly Planned, All-New 'Stackable' MagSafe Battery Pack in Development

 

[boswald]

I can see the bad news already: iPhone 14 Pro Max has been discontinued. 😥

 

[5H3PH3RD]

In other news, water is wet.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Stackable accessories?
Employees being tortured drilled to sell multiple accessories?
TC you absolute genius!

 

[abatabia]

Pretty obvious stuff. Thank you Gurman. We bow to your wisdom of always stating the obvious.

 

[P-DogNC]

I want USB-C on as many devices as quickly as possible. I can’t wait! If I could have my kids outfitted with a USB-C port and charge them up using cables I already own around the house instead of buying food and feeding them all the time, I would be thrilled!

 

[phenste]

I will never not comment on something Gurman-related without mentioning he has the credibility of a blind goose (don’t ask me where that phrasing came from, I just woke up…)—that being said, a stackable MagSafe battery pack is sounding like an awesome idea. hope that manifests—would be super helpful at work where most of us have iPhones & use a charging hub in the back room to charge throughout the day.

 

[Scott6666]

Apple is so happy the EU forced them to sell you a bunch of new overpriced cables and accessories.

 

[jlc1978]

IIRC, the EU directive only requires USB-C on devices introduced after the implementation date; any manufacturer could sell devices with other connectors since the were out before then. Makes sense to switch so people buying new ones can use the now standard connector.

 

[mcheek0]

The stackable MagSafe battery pack is something I’ve been wanting for a while. It’s kind of silly to be all in on MagSafe and wireless charging but not be able to wirelessly charge your phone and battery pack together.

I also hope the vertical magnet below the ring on the new battery pack is a lot stronger. I hate it when mine rotates.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

I want USB-C on as many devices as quickly as possible. I can’t wait! If I could have my kids outfitted with a USB-C port and charge them up using cables I already own around the house instead of buying food and feeding them all the time, I would be thrilled!

You can already do this. Belkin has a dock that can charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and a Pre teen all at the same time.

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

Whenever I jump to usb c (17 or 18 iPhone) I’ll be looking forward to EarPods the most. Currently very very happy with 14 pro max

Anyone venture to guess if sound quality/loudness would be improved over lightning EarPods?

 

[klasma]

Stackable is the new foldable! Apple truly leapfrogs in innovation.

 

[syklee26]

Stacking battery pack….. is that the best you can do, Apple?

 

[addamas]

If stackable means that you can put a MagSafe battery pack on MagSafe charger and charger will charge it then it will be something.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I will never not comment on something Gurman-related without mentioning he has the credibility of a blind goose

Indeed. Frankly I'm amazed that his musings:

certainly can
going to need to
could be reintroduced
not expecting

are give the light of day. And he gets paid this nonsense!

 

[mdatwood]

Apple is so happy the EU forced them to sell you a bunch of new overpriced cables and accessories.

Not sure if you're joking, but it's clear Apple was heading towards usb-c all along. The EU decision lets them blame someone else when customers complain about the port change.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

I dont care what it is, as long as its a nondescript flat rectangle with radiused corners I’ll buy it! I just look around and think, I do NOT have enough flat rectangles with radiused corners in my life. Thank you, tech bro’s, for working so diligently to resolve this important issue.

 

[Phoneless]

The only product I'm waiting for is a USB-C version of the Touch ID Magic Keyboard for my M1 Mac Studio (plus maybe I'll also spring for a USB-C version of the Magic Trackpad). I thought it might appear with the new M2 Mac Pro, now I'm hoping that new accessories will arrive alongside the M3 iMac.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Until all this USB-C gets settled and the transition gets completed. Let us use this connector, please.

 

[nicolas_s]

Of course. Apple switched to USB-C because they want you to buy all the accessories once again.

 

[tekfranz]

I am hoping for a free lightning to usb-c adapter.

 

[Ctrlos]

I always wondered why MagSafe accessories, particularly those of 3rd parties are all so dull. There is so much scope out there and yet all they’ve done is copy Apple with wallets and battery packs. These are useful and all but how about:

- A MagSafe wallet I can secure Yale keys in on a night out?
- A MagSafe thin asthma inhaler for the same use? Admittedly this would need some serious investment.
- a laser rangefinder for DIY jobs?
- a spirit level that I can just pull off when needed?
- a rear set of shoulder buttons for gaming?
- a pocket watch case for an Apple Watch giving you an external rear display?
- a magnetic ring flash or macro light?
- a Swiss Army EDC knife set into a rectangular shape?
- an emergency USB-C hub for other devices?
- A magnetic beer mat? I can’t be the only one who rests drinks on the back of my phone when it’s on the arm of the sofa
- A gimble like device that rotates 180 degrees to hold your phone with?
- a camera grip with a shutter button?
- an 8bitdo-style rectangular SNES controller you can just pull off and play with?
- a weather station packed with sensors to measure local humidity and temp accurately?
- a non-invasive blood glucose monitor?
- Just something simple to dock a Siri Remote to?

These are all off the top of my head and all would be useful to someone to have just in their pocket or bag, snapped onto their phone.

 

[nicolas_s]

Until all this USB-C gets settled and the transition gets completed. Let us use this corrector, please.

View attachment 2257218

You can get multi-connector, high quality braided cables from Native Union, but they are expensive 😂

 

[ThomasJL]

I get it that it's supposed to be about convenience. But does the connivence of saving less than 10 seconds by not having to plug a wire from the wired battery pack to the iPhone really outweigh the inconvenience of very slow charging via a wireless battery pack?