Report: AirPower Has Entered Production and Coming Soon

[ipedro]

Not compatible with a Watch with a Sport Loop on. Given cheap knock offs on eBay solved that years ago, I'm surprised Apple would ship this design.

You’re surprised that Apple would ship a design that you don’t know enough about to make that determination? Ok...

The AirPower’s signature feature is that random placement of multiple devices manages to find each one and charge them all regardless of where they’re placed. Knowing that, then we can establish that devices can be charged at a certain distance from the coils. So if that’s true, then that means that the watch can charge at least a couple of inches away from the nearest coil, meaning that the back of the watch doesn’t have to be in direct contact with the mat. Therefore, it’ll work with the band on.

 

[Abazigal]

 

[August West]

I'm going to guess it'll cost $159 U.S. or $229 Canadian.

I'll take the over. I'm betting closer to $199. Have to make up for the slow iPhone sales somehow.

 

[ajfahey]

Okay, great. I’ll also never buy it because the phone requires a standing cradle to open when it’s on my desk, where it is most of the time. I don’t feel like hovering my head over a $200 piece of white plastic every time I need to use my phone without picking it up.

I'm sure that there will be a special adapter available for $29.99 that makes it useful for iPhones in the vertical position as well as additional adapters for $29.99 that allow for vertical charging of EarPods and Apple watches.

 

[eroslws]

I'll take the over. I'm betting closer to $199. Have to make up for the slow iPhone sales somehow.

Yup, it’ll be over $150 for sure, and probably over $200 after tax. It’s a luxury product, not necessary by any means, even if you own all three major products. I just don’t think there’s a group of people that’s willing to pay more than 100 that wouldn’t pay 200, which seems to be Apple’s recent strategy (e.g., if someone will pay >999 for an iPhone, they’ll pay $1,250, so why not).

 

[Kaibelf]

Doesn't matter, 2018 has already passed. Apple put itself in such a shame for such an unimportant product. Oh yes, it will be also way overpriced probably at $199 plus you'll need to buy new Airpods case.

Lol if you think normal people (including Apple) somehow would feel overwhelming shame for missing a deadline, ESPECIALLY when it happens so seldom that it actually is newsworthy that it even happened, then you likely don’t really understand them culturally at all.

 

[44267547]

Interesting to see how many people keep calling Apple ‘greedy’ with this product, yet there is not even a price point released and we don’t even know the validity behind this rumor. Either way, if the price is higher than someone wants to pay for, then don’t buy it, it’s not meant to be for everyone in every situation, unless someone finds the purpose that they would appreciate having multiple devices for the Airpower.

 

[brock2621]

Looks like you shouldn't buy from Apple. Seems a nice little unethical earner.

Just because my tires wear out doesn’t mean they doesn’t provide a satisfactory product. Things simply wear out with lots of use.

 

[aaronhead14]

Hopefully it ships with a USB-C port instead of that dumb Lightning port that's in the photo.

 

[Swazaloo]

No longer interested

Entitled much?

 

[dilbert99]

Does anyone want this?

Even "Talosive Tech" a self confessed "Apple Sheep" says he does not want this.

He says wireless charging needs to be that the phone/watch is upright so you can see it.
Like a night stand or so that face-ID works.

None of this works with the devices lying flat.

This is dead and pointless.

However, the fact that this "IS" Form Over Function, means I'm sure Apple will continue with it regardless of what anyone else thinks.

I don't look at my phone/watch while it is charging overnight, i'm sure there will be others like that too.
Vertical docks have their disadvantages too

 

[tecialist]

I would be interested as long as it's not over $100. But we all know this thing will be priced well above that.

That's exactly what people said when Apple announced AirPods for $159.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Let the snarky comments begin, just like original AirPods.

It will likely be a popular product if it works as designed.

The problem is tons of others work as designed already... and guaranteed to be way cheaper. I don't get what the hype was about to begin with though. It's a stupid mat to lay your phone on to charge. Nothing they can do with it is going to blow anyone away.

 

[truthertech]

The problem is tons of others work as designed already... and guaranteed to be way cheaper. I don't get what the hype was about to begin with though. It's a stupid mat to lay your phone on to charge. Nothing they can do with it is going to blow anyone away.

If they ship with it able to charge three different devices and differentiate, then they will have done something no one else has been able to achieve.

 

[W Wheeless]

I'm a big Apple Fan and I know this charging mat will sell well but I'm afraid that Apple waited too long and others such as myself have found other wireless charging items that do the trick. With that said, I will not be purchasing that item when it becomes available.

 

[MacManiac1]

Will they wait for an event to announce this, or will it be a silent addition to the web site?

 

[Victor Mortimer]

I don't get it. I keep seeing people on here saying they'd pay up to $100 for this thing, when a wireless charging pad is about $20 on Amazon.

Nope, no way. It's a wireless charging pad. It's NOT interesting. It charges stuff. Why would I want to pay more to do exactly the same thing?

Oh, it'll charge more than one thing at a time? Hey, I can get a two pack for less than $30 on Amazon. Still NOT caring.

It's pretty? Not from the mockups I've seen.

Honestly, I have no idea why anybody cares if Apple ever releases this thing.

 

[rols]

The original Milanese Loops won't work because the clasp can't slide out. Newer ones (Series 3 and later, if I recall correctly) allow the clasp to slide out so that the Watch can be laid flat to charge wirelessly without taking off the band.

If the clasp slides out the band is broken. I have the latest Milanese loop bought with my watch 4 and the clasp absolutely does not slide out, not even close, not even if you forced it.

 

[coolfactor]

Wireless charging is just slow overall. Not thanks.

I have no problem with how fast it charges. I bought a flat charger off Amazon for $35 and it works great with my XR. I'm not sure what problem that Apple is trying to solve here.

I, too, find the flat design to be an annoyance when combined with Face ID. My phone is unusable until I unlock it, which requires lifting off the mat. While I love the XR design, and don't miss the Home button, this is the one major miss in usability.
[doublepost=1547344828][/doublepost]

Wireless charging is slow so not worth it

Not worth it ... to you. Try to remember that.

 

[Krieg121]

Apple's long-awaited wireless charging mat AirPower might finally be on the horizon if the latest rumor is to be believed.

Hong Kong website ChargerLAB cites a "credible source" within Apple's supply chain who claims Chinese manufacturer Luxshare Precision has started production of the AirPower. In a conversation on Chinese messaging app WeChat, the source adds he has heard the AirPower will be released soon.

​

MacRumors translated the Chinese messages in the WeChat screenshot using the Google Translate app for photos on iPhone and they appear to be consistent with what ChargerLAB claims in its tweet.

Luxshare is a member of the Wireless Power Consortium behind the Qi standard and also assembles AirPods for Apple -- and Lightning to USB-C cables, according to ChargerLAB. Reports had suggested Luxshare would be a primary supplier of the AirPower since as early as February 2017.

Luxshare might not be the only supplier, as a report last year said Pegatron would also be involved in production.

A few weeks ago, developer Steve Troughton-Smith said he's heard Apple may have overcome technical challenges with the AirPower and could move forward with a release. Those technical challenges included overheating and interference issues, according to Sonny Dickson, an occasional source of Apple leaks.

​

Back in October, in a research note obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple may launch the AirPower by early in the first quarter of 2019, suggesting that the accessory may be released soon.

The delayed release of the AirPower is likely why Apple has yet to release its optional wireless charging case for AirPods, which remains listed as "currently unavailable" on Apple's website. Like the AirPower, Kuo said the wireless case may be released in early 2019 ahead of an entirely new pair in 2020.

AirPower is an oval-shaped mat that would be able to wirelessly charge multiple Apple devices at once, including the iPhone 8 and newer, Apple Watch Series 3 and newer, and AirPods when they are placed in the aforementioned wireless charging case that has been expected to launch alongside the mat.

Apple first previewed the AirPower at Steve Jobs Theater in September 2017, shortly after introducing the iPhone X, and indicated that it would be released at some point in 2018 in a press release. Apple failed to deliver on that promise, however, and hasn't commented on the AirPower for many months.

Following its September 2018 event, Apple removed all but a few mentions of the AirPower from its website. The mat was, however, still referenced in the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR user guides, in some recent Apple job listings, and in a few recent Apple patent applications.

Apple's silence regarding AirPower has led some to believe the product has been canceled, but today's report offers renewed hope.

Last month, based on documentation obtained from Made for iPhone program members, ChargerLAB accurately reported that third-party Apple-certified Lightning to USB-C cables would be available in early 2019. Right on cue, Belkin and Griffin among others introduced Lightning to USB-C cables at CES 2019 this week.

ChargerLAB did, however, inaccurately report that the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR would be bundled with a faster 18W USB-C power adapter from Apple. The website did show an accurate render of the charger, but it ended up being for the 2018 iPad Pro, so the rumor wasn't entirely off base.

Update: In a follow-up tweet, ChargerLAB cites another source who claims a second Apple supplier Pegatron is set to begin mass production of the AirPower on January 21. The alleged Pegatron employee claims the AirPower has three layers of coils in an 8-7-7 configuration from bottom to top.

​

Article Link: Report: AirPower Has Entered Production and Coming Soon [Updated]

So Apple is going to "come out with" a wireless charging mat and act like they invented it, and charge 3x as much for as the wireless charging mats that are already out there. I'm done...I have a charging stand that fits my watch, iphone and ipad all at once...why the hell do I need this? Easy...I don't. Hell, I'm already at the point where I'm tired of the prices...only Apple products I get are from work...I will never buy Apple device out of my pocket again...just cost too much. GJ Tim for pricing yourselves outta most of the market!

 

[Abazigal]

Does anyone want this?

Even "Talosive Tech" a self confessed "Apple Sheep" says he does not want this.

He says wireless charging needs to be that the phone/watch is upright so you can see it.
Like a night stand or so that face-ID works.

None of this works with the devices lying flat.

This is dead and pointless.

However, the fact that this "IS" Form Over Function, means I'm sure Apple will continue with it regardless of what anyone else thinks.

He wouldn’t be the first YouTuber to publicly declare they didn’t see the point of a certain apple product, then get one later and preach about indispensable it has become.

 

[Ghost31]

Wow. I’ve never seen an apple product where literally nobody was excited for it before. This thing better be reasonably priced or I see it being a forgettable accessory

 

[Analog Kid]

I dipped into the comment thread hoping that there might be some discussion of the 8-7-7 architecture. Maybe there is, but I'm not willing to dig through 8 page of rage that something no one wants is arriving late and is too expensive because the number the picked out of the air is absurd...

The three layer design sounds fascinating. The 3D design makes it sound more like lensing than just a phased array. If someone who understands the design considerations for magnetic mode nearfield arrays wants to open a tread on the topic, please do.

 

[I7guy]

So Apple is going to "come out with" a wireless charging mat and act like they invented it, and charge 3x as much for as the wireless charging mats that are already out there. I'm done...I have a charging stand that fits my watch, iphone and ipad all at once...why the hell do I need this? Easy...I don't. Hell, I'm already at the point where I'm tired of the prices...only Apple products I get are from work...I will never buy Apple device out of my pocket again...just cost too much. GJ Tim for pricing yourselves outta most of the market!

Did apple claim they invented the MP3 player, cell phone, tablet, Bluetooth headphones, nfc pay, fingerprint reader, premium speaker, computer and what else? Apple is not going to claim they invented the Qi charger.

 

[Abazigal]

Wow. I’ve never seen an apple product where literally nobody was excited for it before. This thing better be reasonably priced or I see it being a forgettable accessory

Define “reasonably priced”.

I remember lots of people here criticising the airpods for being “overpriced” when it was announced, and claiming how nobody would buy it when they could get much cheaper Bluetooth earbuds in convenience stores.

Fast forward two years later, the airpods still hasn’t been updated, it hasn’t received a price cut, and guess which is the one product Apple is having problems keeping sufficient stock of in their stores?