There's Still No Sign of Apple's AirPower Charging Mat

[Crzyrio]

I know I keep repeating myself, but I’m really disappointed in Apple for not even saying a single word about a possible release time-frame for AirPower and the wireless charging case for the AirPods. Personally, I couldn’t care less about the mat, but I’m really interested in the case.

Yeah, they said 2018 and I’ve got nothing against teasing a completely new product or product-overhaul like the Mac Pro, the Apple Watch or the new software we saw yesterday, bringing iOS-apps to Mac in some capacity.
These launches take a lot of time and showing them in early stages builds excitement.

But for crying out loud, AirPower is an accesssory – the wireless charging case an accessory to an accessory!
This can’t be that hard to do!
And if you remember correctly and look up those videos of journalists in last September’s keynote hands-on-area, there were several working cases and mats laying around. So they can do it and they did it. Just why are they not released?
If Apple actually said something – or any of those journalists dared to asked in interviews – we’d at least know where we stand.

If I remember correctly, Tim Cook said in a memo regarding those leaks lately that Apple only has one chance to wow its customers when they first see and experience a new Apple product. I do think that’s true. But seeing a new product teased and not getting to experience it for another year, let alone hear about it from Apple, kills all the excitement and the wow-factor along the way.

It’s just so sad and heightens the disappointment.
Best regards,
VSG

It's not all in their hands. It might be working yes but those might have been prototypes.

They are working with Qi to integrate this new stuff into the standard, there is still manufacturing lines to be built, inspections to pass etc.

Apple isn't just taking 3 coils and shoving it into a pad like everyone else.

 

[richardtekel]

Maybe support only for the next generation of Apple Watch?

 

[jakebro]

Actually, the original Apple Watch and the series 1 and 2 all use the Wireless Power Consortium's Qi, so they could charge using AirPower if Apple allowed it.

The consortium told the Register: "The Apple Watch charger that comes with the device is Qi-based, but the firm decided not to submit it for interoperability testing. I think they are using version 1.1.2 of Qi, but the software stack has been altered so that only Apple's charger works with Watch."

This is similar to how Apple restricted Qi on the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X to 5 watts before iOS 11.2, which increased the restriction to 7.5 watts.

 

[44267547]

What a slap in the face. No new hardware. Here’s a rainbow watch band and some other pastel colors.

Because it’s evident you don’t have understanding that WWDC is not a guarantee to launch hardware. The fall keynote is guaranteed to have new iPhones and maybe some form of other type of hardware hardware at minimum, but it’s about the software developers for WWDC. I think your expectations are not in line for what WWDC stands for.

 

[recoil80]

It would be great if the Apple Watch Series 4 could charge via Qi.

I really hope it supports Qi.
I'm not really interested in AirPower, I'm afraid it will be too expensive. I just wonder if they'll wait next iPhone release to launch it to the market or, like AirPlay 2, they'll release it just a week before the event

 

[haydn!]

This was never going to feature at WWDC, even if there had been other hardware announcements. It’s already had its 15 minutes of stage time at last years iPhone event.

It’s just an accessory, with a pretty obvious use case. If a press release was good enough for the final releases of the HomePod and iMac Pro... it will be good enough for this too.

On a side note, Apple needs to stop announcing things it can’t push to market immediately.

 

[ErikGrim]

Maybe support only for the next generation of Apple Watch?

No. They specifically mentioned Series 3 was the only one supported (thus far).

 

[BigMac?]

From a hardware point, this wwdc was disappointing:
- no MacBooks (pro, whatever)
- no new ipads with face ID
- Airpower and Qi-AirPods-case are becoming vapoware
- one (1) mention of homepod -> no new features announced


-> in business you need pretty fix cycles -> at the mmoment apple is not operating with with business users in mind -> I'd prefer 2 conferences per year: one for hardware and one for software with fix and undisbutable time schedules throughout the year.

I hope this mess gets more reliable with apple producing its own silicon for macbooks

 

[roland.g]

Because it’s evident you don’t have understanding that WWDC is not a guarantee to launch hardware. The fall keynote is guaranteed to have new iPhones and maybe some form of other type of hardware hardware at minimum, but it’s about the software developers for WWDC. I think your expectations are not in line for what WWDC stands for.

I think I have a far greater understanding than you do. The trends and precedent of WWDC is that is it very likely. Guaranteed no. However, given the available components from Intel, the expectation is not only warranted but is also substantiated. Releases later this month or next would be the next logical assumption unless they are delayed until fall due to potentially a more significant design update which is likely 1-2 years out.

 

[haydn!]

If they were ready to go within a month, Apple would have taken this opportunity to mention them so I think we’re in for a longer wait.

There is some suggestions we may see an earlier than usual design change to the MacBook Pro which could explain the delay. But those rumours are few and far between with most pointing to spec bumps only for next 1-2 revisions.

If we did see more design changes, I’d expect them to be pretty minor and overall form factor would remain. No changes to sizing or ports but Apple could quietly ditch the touch bar or at least make it optional across all price points. Second MacOS update with zero mention of the TouchBar let alone new functionality or features suggests Apple see little value in pushing it or developing for it! The reintroduction of the function keys would also allow them to introduce a redesigned keyboard without having to talK about reliabilty.

 

[Crzyrio]

I think I have a far greater understanding than you do. The trends and precedent of WWDC is that is it very likely. Guaranteed no. However, given the available components from Intel, the expectation is not only warranted but is also substantiated. Releases later this month or next would be the next logical assumption unless they are delayed until fall due to potentially a more significant design update which is likely 1-2 years out.

The next logical assumption for me would be October/November
[doublepost=1528216708][/doublepost]

From a hardware point, this wwdc was disappointing:
- no MacBooks (pro, whatever)
- no new ipads with face ID
- Airpower and Qi-AirPods-case are becoming vapoware
- one (1) mention of homepod -> no new features announced


-> in business you need pretty fix cycles -> at the mmoment apple is not operating with with business users in mind -> I'd prefer 2 conferences per year: one for hardware and one for software with fix and undisbutable time schedules throughout the year.

I hope this mess gets more reliable with apple producing its own silicon for macbooks

They are literally just one processor generation behind. If they did update it would have been just a generation update.
Stop being so dramatic

 

[BigMac?]

The next logical assumption for me would be October/November
[doublepost=1528216708][/doublepost]

They are literally just one processor generation behind. If they did update it would have been just a generation update.
Stop being so dramatic

Na, its one part being behind cpu, but its another being behind in overall user experience ... and iphone x is a dramatic change in that part.

 

[Crzyrio]

Na, its one part being behind cpu, but its another being behind in overall user experience ... and iphone x is a dramatic change in that part.

Behind in user experience? How so?

 

[cknibbs]

Ok, Apple can STOP announcing vaporware a year in advance already!
[doublepost=1528159116][/doublepost]

Untrue, you did not pay attention...

I did pay attention - I’m pretty sure the only mention of HomePod was that Siri actions would work on it. It’s almost like it was an afterthought. The HomePod desperately needs multi-user support.

 

[xboxmahoney]

I imagine it will launch when ready. I am one of those upset that it hasn't come yet, but you have to give  credit where it is due. It will not release until ready. I don't like it either, but the anticipation is mounting. LOL.

 

[Wanted797]

Check your history of WWDC before you make that comment. Otherwise you’re just spouting off, and while you may think you sound cool, you don’t.

I know the history of WWDC has included hardware ultimately it’s a developer conference about software. The last few years have followed the trend of no new hardware.

 

[alphaod]

Perfect, just in line with the new Mac Pro.

 

[BigMac?]

Behind in user experience? How so?

iPad lacks userexperience compared to iPhone X... Face ID is so much smarter/more seamless workflow

Gestures get probably fixed (partly) with ios12
[doublepost=1528378691][/doublepost]

I know the history of WWDC has included hardware ultimately it’s a developer conference about software. The last few years have followed the trend of no new hardware.

Nope, last year has been hardware-Xmas

 

[Crzyrio]

iPad lacks userexperience compared to iPhone X... Face ID is so much smarter/more seamless workflow

Gestures get probably fixed (partly) with ios12
[doublepost=1528378691][/doublepost]
Nope, last year has been hardware-Xmas

That is a completely normal timeframe though. iPad's dont always get the features first. it's always been common for iPhone to get the breaking feature and then it filters down. Bring Face ID to the iPad Pros a year after the iPhone is still fairly quick.

 

[Ghost31]

Why is this difficult for you?

Apple said: 2018


The most likely time during 2018: during iPhone launch.

2018 iPhone launch is in September.

Why is this so difficult for you?

Are you seriously acting like it was some sort of secret implication that Apple meant “oh yeah 2018. But the END when the next iPhone comes out that year” despite them advertising AirPower and how well it works with the new (at the time) iPhone?

There was no direct implication about anything, but I don’t blame people for assuming it would be early 2018 considering they were showing it off as something that works well with the iPhone 8 and X

 

[Crzyrio]

Are you seriously acting like it was some sort of secret implication that Apple meant “oh yeah 2018. But the END when the next iPhone comes out that year” despite them advertising AirPower and how well it works with the new (at the time) iPhone?

There was no direct implication about anything, but I don’t blame people for assuming it would be early 2018 considering they were showing it off as something that works well with the iPhone 8 and X

They never said it worked well though. They said this is a 'Sneak Peak' and we are working with the Qi standard to bring it to everyone.

The moment they said they are working with the Qi standard, I knew it was going to either take forever to come out or they will say F*** Qi and do their own thing. lol