New AirPods Likely Delayed if Apple Doesn't Launch AirPower Charging Mat Today

[MacRumors]

Today's leaks from Apple's XML sitemap have revealed a flurry of product announcements we can expect at the company's upcoming Gather Round event, including details of new iPhones and Apple Watch models.

On the flip side, the XML file also suggests which rumored products we shouldn't expect to be revealed later today. Most conspicuous is the absence of new iPad Pro and Mac models, which history suggests will now appear at a separate October event.

There's also the matter of Apple's long-awaited AirPower wireless charging mat, which likewise doesn't feature in Apple's sitemap, and that could be bad news for customers waiting on Apple to update its AirPods wireless earbuds.

With AirPower, Apple was supposed to be introducing a new AirPods Charging Case that adds wireless charging to the earbuds. But because the AirPower has taken so long to launch, the new case is now expected to feature in the next-generation model of AirPods - although Apple is also expected to sell that case on a standalone basis so customers who have already purchased AirPods can upgrade to it.

The new case looks similar to the current version, which charges via Lightning cable, but it has a built-in induction coil that also enables wireless charging.

In addition, rumors suggest that the new AirPods will have an upgraded wireless chip that supports hands-free "Hey Siri" functionality. With "Hey Siri" support, AirPod owners will be able to activate Siri without needing to double tap on the AirPods with a finger.

No other major changes are expected for the new AirPods, but there have been some hints that Apple is working on a set of Apple-branded high-end over-ear headphones that could launch in late 2018 at the earliest, although today's leaks suggest only a brief mention of them today at best.

Apple's event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino, California. Apple plans to live stream proceeding on its website and through the Events app on the Apple TV, while MacRumors will have live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Article Link: New AirPods Likely Delayed if Apple Doesn't Launch AirPower Charging Mat Today

 

[GizmoDVD]

Sorta ridiculous if its doesn't come out today.

They mentioned charging AW3's on this thing last year and that feature never even arrived because the mat was delayed.

 

[frou]

It's called AirPower because it's using parts from the F-35 programme

 

[maerz001]

This charging pad needs at least another year of engineering and will be released with the Apple car

 

[Reach9]

Looks like this might be the only surprising thing about this event, I’ll be disappointed if AirPower and new AirPods don’t get a release date today.

 

[macduke]

I think updated Macs, iPad Pros, AirPower, and AirPods will be updated at the late October event. They probably decided to go ahead and update the AirPods beyond adding wireless charging to entice more people to upgrade. I think they might have upgraded the wireless chip to have even better range and battery life. Not sure why anyone thought the iPad would be updated at the iPhone event. That has never happened aside from the iPad Mini 4 which was a spec bump. I also wonder if that rumored port opening on the back of the iPad Pro allows charging AirPods. Someone on the forums had suggested a new Apple Pencil could inductively charge there, and I like that idea.

Edit: Someone reminded me that the iPad Pro 12.9" was unveiled at the iPhone event a few years ago, however it didn't actually become available until later in November of that year. It was the first in it's class.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Not sure what’s so hard about developing a charging mat, but evidently this thing has really stymied them. Hope we see it this year at least

 

[APPLEGO]

I think updated Macs, iPad Pros, AirPower, and AirPods will be updated at the late October event. They probably decided to go ahead and update the AirPods beyond adding wireless charging to entice more people to upgrade. I think they might have upgraded the wireless chip to have even better range and battery life. Not sure why anyone thought the iPad would be updated at the iPhone event. That has never happened aside from the iPad Mini 4 which was a spec bump.

Except the First Gen 12.9 inch iPad Pro. It was announced alongside iPhone 6s series and iPad mini 4 in September 2015 Event. Well, like you said, Apple may just announce the new iPad Pros in October event.

 

[Marzel]

Not sure what’s so hard about developing a charging mat, but evidently this thing has really stymied them. Hope we see it this year at least

Because its a charging mat capable of charging multiple devices at the same time wherever they are placed on it. In addition, the apple watch doesn't even follow the Qi standard which complicates things even more. Other companies have tried sticking multiple coils together but they still require devices to be placed at specific positions.

 

[brian3uk]

you'd think airpower and airpods would go with the iphone and watch event since they're sorta related. i mean sure they work with everything else too but i bet more people use them with watch and phone.

 

[GizmoDVD]

How has Apple not gotten hit with a class action against them for the AW3? They clearly advertised the QI charging ability last year and to date, that feature does not work because the Mat was delayed.

 

[macduke]

Except the First Gen 12.9 inch iPad Pro. It was announced alongside iPhone 6s series and iPad mini 4 in September 2015 Event. Well, like you said, Apple may just announce the new iPad Pros in October event.

Oh yes, I forgot about that one because it wasn't released until November of that year. They showed it pretty early. I will update my post.

 

[Mad.Whack]

Not sure what’s so hard about developing a charging mat, but evidently this thing has really stymied them. Hope we see it this year at least

You're right it isn't complicated.. IMO it comes down to increasing the potential buyers beforehand in order to squeeze out the highest margins possible.

 

[APPLEGO]

Oh yes, I forgot about that one because it wasn't released until November of that year. They showed it pretty early. I will update my post.

No problem, mate. Yes, 2015 September definitely was packed with contents. I wish that you will enjoy today’s event!

 

[luvbug]

For me, I just don't see the value in wireless charging. The charger still requires an outlet, obviously, so all you are "saving" is the effort of connecting a cable to the device. And the wireless charging pad is always sitting there, taking up space, whether you're charging or not. It's also less power efficient than a cable charge. Granted, the loss is very small, but not when you multiply it by billions of devices. Last, but not least, it also adds to the cost of the device, whether you use the feature or not.

 

[bbeagle]

Sorta ridiculous if its doesn't come out today.

They mentioned charging AW3's on this thing last year and that feature never even arrived because the mat was delayed.

Why? This is all new technology.

Apple's wireless mats are unlike any other wireless mat out there in that you can charge more than 1 device anywhere on the mat you want to. Other mats require you to place the devices on exact spots on the mat.

New technology requires time to figure out. Maybe it works 95% perfect, but there are 1 or 2 small dead zones. Apple wants to find out why and fix that before it's released.
[doublepost=1536765366][/doublepost]

For me, I just don't see the value in wireless charging.

If I was given the option of wireless or wired charging, I'd choose wireless since it's more convenient to just set down my phone on a mat then plug it in.

If money matters, then that would need to be in the equation. But for many people, another $200 purchase is something that doesn't matter. Some people make $200 a week, others make $5000 a week. It's all relative.

 

[AngerDanger]

That old/new image always reminds me of the Nathan for You intro.

 

[calstanford]

That AirPower thing is beyond pathetic. Never seen such a bluster from Apple.
I doubt Tim Cook will be man enough to stand there today and say he is sorry they ****ed up.
Instead we will have to listen to how amazing the Appstore has been a success and how many awesome new stores they're renovating in random locations. Oh and some real sad sob story on how the Apple Watch saved lives.

 

[webbuzz]

Wish they would offer different colors for the AirPods.

 

[adammusic]

How does it take over a year for a trillion dollar company to launch a crappy overpriced wireless charging pad?

 

[riverfreak]

Why? This is all new technology.

Apple's wireless mats are unlike any other wireless mat out there in that you can charge more than 1 device anywhere on the mat you want to. Other mats require you to place the devices on exact spots on the mat.

New technology requires time to figure out. Maybe it works 95% perfect, but there are 1 or 2 small dead zones. Apple wants to find out why and fix that before it's released.
[doublepost=1536765366][/doublepost]
If I was given the option of wireless or wired charging, I'd choose wireless since it's more convenient to just set down my phone on a mat then plug it in.

If money matters, then that would need to be in the equation. But for many people, another $200 purchase is something that doesn't matter. Some people make $200 a week, others make $5000 a week. It's all relative.

Apple doesn’t make any wireless charging mats.

 

[jclardy]

Who knew creating a $150 wireless charger could be so difficult. Maybe they realized there are no actual differentiating features to prompt people to pay 75% more than most other wireless chargers.

 

[macduke]

The more I think about it, the more weird it would be if Apple didn't say anything at all about AirPower today. Maybe they aren't in the site map because they're not going on sale until later this year. After a whole year it would be really weird for Apple to just pretend they didn't happen. Part of me is hoping they were just trying to throw off the whole industry and AirPower will be truly wireless. They'll just keep "delaying" it until they have the real AirPower. Wishful thinking, I know, but that would be one of the craziest things ever.

 

[Braderunner]

AirPower...as mythical as Bigfoot, the Lockness Monster, and, Unicorns.

 

[RamGuy]

They are really missing the boat if AirPower does not get released today. With the entire line-up supporting wireless charging every buyer of the new phones is a potential buyer of the AirPower Wireless Charger. Not having it today would be a huge blow.

The fact that its one year since Apple announced that they are working on AirPower, and told us that we would get wireless charging on the Apple Watch Serie 3 and in a new charging case for the AirPods and we still haven't seen of this, the Apple Watch Series 4 will be announced today just goes to show why you should not announce products months in advance.