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I can't believe we are so starved for cool new products that there is excitement over a charging mat.
Well, it’s another overdue product that was announced nearly 6 months ago. Just like the twice-delayed HomePod and numerous iOS 11 features that we saw in the 11.0 beta, but are still waiting on 11.3 to drop. We’re used to the good old days of Steve Jobs, where when Apple announced a ship date, it was the date. “Real artists ship,” right?

For me, I’m just tired of waiting for some kind of event announcement so I know MacBook Pro updates are finally close. It feels like Apple Watch S3 has been out for a while and is due for an update, but when I check the Buyers’ Guide I guess it really isn’t quite yet.

Either way, I’m ready to plunk down cash for new Apple stuff. Just waiting on Apple now.
 
The price can’t really be $199, can it? I mean...really?
BBC news did a article today comparing all the smart speakers. Most of them seemed to be £129-£199 but the Apple one really stood out at £329.

Thing is, people are paying these prices, so no wonder Apple charges them.

I saw a documentary about Concorde recently. One of the execs realised that most people of flew Concorde would have their secretaries etc. book the tickets and it would be paid for by the company. So they asked the passengers how much they thought the tickets were and they were wildly out. So Concorde just put up the prices to match the expectation.

The more people pay, the more the perceived quality.
 
Apple Special Event, March 27, 2018:
  • AirPower
  • AirPod charging case
  • New Apple Watch Bands (maybe metal bands that work better at snapping apart with AirPower?)
  • iPhone SE 2
  • New iPad 9.7" (iPad Mini discontinued)
  • iPhone 8 or X in a deep blue
  • AirPlay 2/stereo HomePod talk/demo?
  • Retina MacBook Air
That would probably be enough to justify a small event at Steve Jobs Theater.

In my wildest dreams I hope they give a sneak preview of the modular Mac Pro and new 5K Thunderbolt Display, available this summer (probably to launch with more details at WWDC). But realistically we probably won't hear a peep about it until then at the earliest.

Not gonna happen, iPhone in different color would have leaked by now, Macbook air would have had more leaks by now if there was a release imminent. iPhone SE2 has been shot down this morning by Ming cho chun (or whatever his name is). New model (instead of just different colors) apple bands wouldn't make sense without a new Apple watch. Airplay 2/stereo homepod not even in beta right now.

So probably just gonna be press releases about new iPad 2018, Airpower and Airpod charging case.

Does Apple do special events anymore btw? Can't really remember an event other than WWDC or iPhone in recent past.
 
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As one who owns all three of these products I'll likely get it, even at a higher price point because I have the need and I agree with others when you look at pricing two or three chargers it's actually comparable.
 
Apple Special Event, March 27, 2018:
  • AirPower
  • AirPod charging case
  • New Apple Watch Bands (maybe metal bands that work better at snapping apart with AirPower?)
  • iPhone SE 2
  • New iPad 9.7" (iPad Mini discontinued)
  • iPhone 8 or X in a deep blue
  • AirPlay 2/stereo HomePod talk/demo?
  • Retina MacBook Air
That would probably be enough to justify a small event at Steve Jobs Theater.

If they're thinking their WWDC keynote will be packed, they could unveil their TV service early since Eddy Cue was just talking about it the other day, to launch "later this year." But that seems like more of a September event thing?

In my wildest dreams I hope they give a sneak preview of the modular Mac Pro and new 5K Thunderbolt Display, available this summer (probably to launch with more details at WWDC). But realistically we probably won't hear a peep about it until then at the earliest.

I was actually thinking March 22 if the keynote were to happen. But I like your layout and plan you have here. March 27 could also very well be a possibility. Good post.
 
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Apple Special Event, March 27, 2018:
  • AirPower
  • AirPod charging case
  • New Apple Watch Bands (maybe metal bands that work better at snapping apart with AirPower?)
  • iPhone SE 2
  • New iPad 9.7" (iPad Mini discontinued)
  • iPhone 8 or X in a deep blue
  • AirPlay 2/stereo HomePod talk/demo?
  • Retina MacBook Air
That would probably be enough to justify a small event at Steve Jobs Theater.

If they're thinking their WWDC keynote will be packed, they could unveil their TV service early since Eddy Cue was just talking about it the other day, to launch "later this year." But that seems like more of a September event thing?

In my wildest dreams I hope they give a sneak preview of the modular Mac Pro and new 5K Thunderbolt Display, available this summer (probably to launch with more details at WWDC). But realistically we probably won't hear a peep about it until then at the earliest.
I’m afraid moreso that this is exactly what’s going to happen. WWDC is supposed to be a developer conference, not a showcase for consumer product announcements.

I really wish Apple would make the product announcements now or in April, and reserve WWDC for its intended purpose.
 

Link doesn't work but I'm guessing you're linking a 2 coil (or 3 coil) mat that can charge 2 devices, which is not what Airpower is or what makes it special. Everybody can glue 2 charging pads together or put them in a single case, but that's not what Airpower is.

That's why I said
it's all 1 product per coil right now

Airpower is using a new thing where 3 products can charge on a small pad, no matter the placement.
 
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Am I the only one who found this cool when it was first announced, but now finds it rather "meh?"

It's a damned charging mat, not a car. What on earth is taking so long and why did they announce it if it wasn't even remotely ready to sell? I get them delaying the AirPods originally, but a charging mat?

Zzzzzz.

And, for 200 dollars? Nope. Not unless that includes a new, wireless charging case for my AirPods. Maybe. Maybe that would convince me.
 
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Charging mats are not 10 dollars, maybe from crappy Chinese outlets (but you shouldn't want those in your home), from brands like Belkin/RavPower/Anker it's more like 30 to 60 dollars.

So a triple pad (which this basically is) with new technology is never gonna be 50 dollars (be a bit realistic dude, for 50 dollars the whole world would buy it, because it would be incredibly cheap).

100-150 dollars would be a fair price, so knowing Apple it's gonna be 250, maybe 200 if they're feeling generous.

Cheap mats work great, paying anything more than $25 is insane. I'll even allow the Apple tax and agree to $50 for Apple's mat. Beyond that, I cannot justify the expense, sorry.
 
Apple Special Event, March 27, 2018:
  • AirPower
  • AirPod charging case
  • New Apple Watch Bands (maybe metal bands that work better at snapping apart with AirPower?)
  • iPhone SE 2
  • New iPad 9.7" (iPad Mini discontinued)
  • iPhone 8 or X in a deep blue
  • AirPlay 2/stereo HomePod talk/demo?
  • Retina MacBook Air
That would probably be enough to justify a small event at Steve Jobs Theater.

If they're thinking their WWDC keynote will be packed, they could unveil their TV service early since Eddy Cue was just talking about it the other day, to launch "later this year." But that seems like more of a September event thing?

In my wildest dreams I hope they give a sneak preview of the modular Mac Pro and new 5K Thunderbolt Display, available this summer (probably to launch with more details at WWDC). But realistically we probably won't hear a peep about it until then at the earliest.
Better ask someone to pinch you. You’re dreaming out loud. Just read another report that stated no new iPhones to be released this spring or even summer. And the new iPad will have an 11 inch screen.
 
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  • AirPower
  • AirPod charging case
  • New Apple Watch Bands (maybe metal bands that work better at snapping apart with AirPower?)
  • iPhone SE 2
  • New iPad 9.7" (iPad Mini discontinued)
  • iPhone 8 or X in a deep blue
  • AirPlay 2/stereo HomePod talk/demo?
  • Retina MacBook Air
  • AirPower
  • AirPod charging case
  • New Apple Watch Bands (maybe metal bands that work better at snapping apart with AirPower?)
  • iPhone SE 2 -- Don't think this will happen
  • New iPad 9.7" (iPad Mini discontinued)
  • iPhone 8 or X in a deep blue -- Maybe but doubtful
  • AirPlay 2/stereo HomePod talk/demo?
  • Retina MacBook Air
 
I bought two cheapo mats for about $9.00 each, I love them so much and more importantly so does my wife. ;)

I have charging units all over the house. The one here on my desk is a cheap stand from Amazon. that was like 10 bucks. We have 3 in the family room that are Insignia units from Best Buy (they support fast charge, too) and we got those for 17 bucks each with my son's employee discount. I think they're 35 dollars and worth every dime.

My son has an Insignia in his room. My daughter has a Belkin in her room. I have a Mophie (I think it was 50 bucks, but I like that it is grippy). My husband has 2 stands that were cheap and he's had for a couple of years now and was using pre-X with a qi charger shoved into his 6s phone case.

So, yeah... 200 dollars to charge my AirPods case that I do not have nor know the price of and my Apple Watch that charges fine on my nightstand charger plus my X that already has a charger is just not compelling now that I've had to buy other chargers since Apple did NOT have a damned charger ready for all its wireless-charging phones.
 
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Cheap mats work great, paying anything more than $25 is insane. I'll even allow the Apple tax and agree to $50 for Apple's mat. Beyond that, I cannot justify the expense, sorry.

50$ for what a essentially three wireless chargers? You’re funny.
 
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Cheap mats work great, paying anything more than $25 is insane. I'll even allow the Apple tax and agree to $50 for Apple's mat. Beyond that, I cannot justify the expense, sorry.

Doesn't make sense 1 mat according to you is 25 dollars (which from reputable brands just isn't true) , but a mat from Apple which is basically 3 mats in 1 should cost 50 dollars (which is about the same as a single 12w charger + cable from Apple costs right now).

That's just not realistic in any way/shape or form. But you're probably the same guy whose telling everyone that an iPhone X should cost 500 dollars and that more than that is just absurd. Nice fan fiction, but not based on any logic economics.
 
Cheap mats work great, paying anything more than $25 is insane. I'll even allow the Apple tax and agree to $50 for Apple's mat. Beyond that, I cannot justify the expense, sorry.
The Apple Watch charging dock is $70. I expect AirPower to be at least $149.

Personally, I like the idea for Apple Watch and AirPods because those are items that you set down on a table and allow to fully charge, probably once a day or overnight at most.

As has been said above, I often use my phone while it’s charging, pick it up and set it down multiple times while plugged in, and I don’t want to have to leave it alone just to get it to charge and avoid interrupting the charge cycle. Given that, wired charging is actually more convenient than wireless charging for a device like a phone or a tablet.
 
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Doesn't make sense 1 mat according to you is 25 dollars (which from reputable brands just isn't true) , but a mat from Apple which is basically 3 mats in 1 should cost 50 dollars (which is about the same as a single 12w charger + cable from Apple costs right now).

That's just not realistic in any way/shape or form. But you're probably the same guy whose telling everyone that an iPhone X should cost 500 dollars and that more than that is just absurd. Nice fan fiction, but not based on any logic economics.
Pardon the comparison, but apples and oranges - i am not that guy, you have me mistaken for someone else.
 
Yes!

I have an X and an AW and there is no way I'd pay $200 for a charging pad.. I am sure some will but my guess is there won't be many buyers at that price.

I do think they care. Just because someone has an iPhone X and Apple Watch Series 3 doesn’t mean they’re willing to spend $200 on a charging mat. Consumers are not going to find that price point attractive no matter how you spin this. Are there those who will purchase this? Yes. But there are other alternatives to charge your iPhone X for cheaper on the market if someone wanted it.

Yep yep, I have the AW 3 and an iPhone 8+.

I have 2 $10 wireless chargers (one a stand) on Amazon. I recently <cringed> and bought another Apple Watch charging cable for my office so my watch can be charged at work and home if I so want. Wireless charger for phone at home and work.

Total paid: ~$10 + ~$10 + $29 = $49 give or take a few bucks for tax.

No way in hell I'd pay $150 or $200 for this especially now.
 
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