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Nomad Debuts Magnetic Base Station Mini

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Nomad today announced the launch of the Base Station Mini with Magnetic Alignment, a small single-device charger designed for Apple's iPhone 12 models.

nomad-magnetic-base-station-mini.jpg

The Base Station Mini with Magnetic Alignment features the same design as the original Base Station Mini, but it also includes integrated magnets that allow it to align more easily with MagSafe devices. This is not an official MagSafe accessory because MagSafe charging components need to be supplied from Apple and Apple has been slow getting the hardware to third-party companies.

As it is not using MagSafe, the new Base Station Mini will charge an iPhone 12 (and earlier iPhones) at a maximum of 7.5W, but it is a 15W charger so it can charge Qi-enabled Android smartphones more quickly. It is also compatible with AirPods and other Qi-based devices.

A USB-C cable comes along with it for charging purposes, and there's a built-in light sensor that dims at night so it's ideal for use on a night stand.

The Base Station Mini with Magnetic Alignment is available from the Nomad website for $69.95.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: Nomad Debuts Magnetic Base Station Mini
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/08/31/nomad-magnetic-base-station-mini/
Last edited:
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hdfridge

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Nov 12, 2013
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From what I've read, this is more about Apple dragging it's feet on certifying chargers that comply with the MagSafe spec. You can build a charger that happens to have magnets in it, but only Apple-supplied modules can provide the full 15 watts. Apple just started shipping those modules to third parties at the end of June, which isn't enough lead time to develop and produce something in time for the holiday season.

"But crucially, the company only announced that it would be offering the modules on June 22nd, almost nine months after the iPhone 12 launched. Hardware developers were only then able to apply to get their hands on samples and apply to get true MagSafe products approved (which will presumably take even more time), followed by actually manufacturing and shipping those accessories, which could take months by itself."

www.theverge.com

Apple’s been playing it too MagSafe

Still no 15W MagSafe chargers.
www.theverge.com www.theverge.com
 
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paradox00

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Sep 29, 2009
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RogerDoger2801 said:
Lmao is this a joke? $70 for a charger that only delivers 7.5W, despite being capable of 15W for androids. Stop it Nomad, support the MagSafe standard or don’t bother
Click to expand...

That's on Apple. They don't let others make make magsafe modules. You have to buy one from Apple, and outside of some exceptional circumstances, didn't even allow companies to order them until June 22 of this year. Apple also charges $15-$17 for that module, so prices of that $70 charger would be at least $20 higher with Magsafe and minimal markup. That is the joke honestly.

Edit: I should read all the comments. This was already posted.
 
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MacAddict1978

MacAddict1978

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alexandr said:
i love that it's designed for 12th iphones, but charges at a maximum of 7.5w for only $69.95...
Click to expand...

Eddy Munn said:
It's crazy that barely any companies have supported the MagSafe spec. 7.5W charging at this price is insane.
Click to expand...

TheKrs1 said:
MagSafe-Compatible in the article title is quite misleading. I would look at this if it was official support and had full speed charging. 7.5W for that amount of money is insane.
Click to expand...

This is all Apple, and all software driven to force people to buy licensed wireless chargers (MagSafe or not and preferably Apple's own because $$$) out of sheer greed. There is no reason any QI fast charger can't charge an iPhone (like the Samsung one on my desk slowly charging my iPhone 11 now that charged my old Android twice as fast) aside from the fact Apple has programmed iPhones not to do this.

"We won't give you the faster charging adapter in the box, pay us an extra $50 for that"
"We're going green and won't include the slow charger at all anymore and will charge the same price.... and you can still may $$$ redic dollar amount for the faster plug.... by the way, we're hamstringing our phones with software so you can't take advantage of fast wireless charging unless you pay us more.... by the way, did we mention we are going green?"
 
alexandr

alexandr

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MacAddict1978 said:
This is all Apple, and all software driven to force people to buy licensed wireless chargers (MagSafe or not and preferably Apple's own because $$$) out of sheer greed. There is no reason any QI fast charger can't charge an iPhone (like the Samsung one on my desk slowly charging my iPhone 11 now that charged my old Android twice as fast) aside from the fact Apple has programmed iPhones not to do this.

"We won't give you the faster charging adapter in the box, pay us an extra $50 for that"
"We're going green and won't include the slow charger at all anymore and will charge the same price.... and you can still may $$$ redic dollar amount for the faster plug.... by the way, we're hamstringing our phones with software so you can't take advantage of fast wireless charging unless you pay us more.... by the way, did we mention we are going green?"
Click to expand...
yes, i agree with all that, but i was talking about the debut at hand)
 
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bluespark

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Jul 11, 2009
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MacAddict1978 said:
This is all Apple, and all software driven to force people to buy licensed wireless chargers (MagSafe or not and preferably Apple's own because $$$) out of sheer greed. There is no reason any QI fast charger can't charge an iPhone (like the Samsung one on my desk slowly charging my iPhone 11 now that charged my old Android twice as fast) aside from the fact Apple has programmed iPhones not to do this.

"We won't give you the faster charging adapter in the box, pay us an extra $50 for that"
"We're going green and won't include the slow charger at all anymore and will charge the same price.... and you can still may $$$ redic dollar amount for the faster plug.... by the way, we're hamstringing our phones with software so you can't take advantage of fast wireless charging unless you pay us more.... by the way, did we mention we are going green?"
Click to expand...
Great, and pretty much true, but reports such as this nevertheless shouldn't call something MagSafe compatible unless it actually is. Apple seems to have created the customer confusion many companies are now relying on, but this story perpetuates that confusion.
 
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jclo

jclo

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I've gone ahead and updated the title, it wasn't meant to be misleading. I think we've used the same wording for other magnetic chargers. I was looking at it as magnets = MagSafe-compatible but not official MagSafe. I can see how some might find that confusing and/or inaccurate, so I can make sure we refrain from referring to magnetic chargers as MagSafe-compatible in that way going forward.

On the topic of official MagSafe support, you're not seeing third-party companies like Nomad with actual MagSafe hardware as of yet because it only comes from Apple and Apple has been slow getting it out. It's like the Apple Watch charging puck.

It's availability that's the issue. I don't think any accessory companies have had access to the official component long enough to make a product yet, with the exception of Belkin.
 
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