Will you be buying AirPower?

[puma1552]

I'm ashamed to admit I'm on the hook for the mat and the wireless AirPods case. Fully expecting the mat to cost $200, and the AirPods case to cost $70. I just hope it has enough room to put the iPhone 8 completey on it the long way and still have enough space for the AirPods case - haven't seen any hands on photos trying it on for size that way.

Then again I don't feel too bad spending the money on the small stuff like this once in a while considering I'm using an 8 year old MBP, a 10 year old 24" ACD, and have a 3.5 year old iPad and another nearly 5 year old computer hanging around.

Also I suspect they won't announce these products at the education event, but they will silently go on sale on Tuesday after the event, or maybe just with a press release.

 

[Caesars]

Personally I would need it to be much much more, if it’s just a wireless charging strip for $200 I wouldn’t even consider it.

Now if it is $100 or maybe even $200 but a portable hard drive/ instant backup type machine for $200 I’d probably be all for it.

 

[puma1552]

I should note I read a CNET article this morning indicating it has some power management feature, which I take to mean that if you put two devices on it and one has a much lower battery than the other, it will divert more juice to the device in more dire need, and charge the device with more battery at a slower rate.

https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-airpower-wireless-charger-everything-we-know/

What's different here is that AirPower claims it can help devices communicate with each other to manage power consumption. We're not exactly sure how that works yet, but we're hoping Apple soon shines more light on this intriguing feature.

Apple's AirPower demo shows the iPhone screen tracking all the devices currently on the charger, and their battery status.

 

[44267547]

For me, $200 is not attractive for a wireless charging mat. Unless somebody had all three products, then I can maybe see some practicality for taking advantage of the Air power. But I still prefer to use my iPhone while charging with a cord. If it is $200, Thats fairly expensive for what you’re receiving. I think $179.00 seems more appropriate.

However if somebody just had an iPhone 8 or X, then there are other suitable wireless charging docks on the market for a cheaper price

 

[Brandonjr36]

Not no but hell no. I’m giving $200 for a damn wireless charger. My Samsung and belkin I think the name is. Works just fine.

 

[puma1552]

For me, $200 is not attractive for a wireless charging mat. Unless somebody had all three products, then I can maybe see some practicality for taking advantage of the Air power. But I still prefer to use my iPhone while charging with a cord. If it is $200, Thats fairly expensive for what you’re receiving. I think $179.00 seems more appropriate.

However if somebody just had an iPhone 8 or X, then there are other suitable wireless charging docks on the market for a cheaper price

Before I heard the pricing being speculated at $199, I myself had speculated close to your guess - I was originally thinking $169.

 

[Mefisto]

Seeing as how I only have the X that supports wireless charging, I think I'm going to be just fine with the 25€ wireless mat that works and I already have.

 

[44267547]

Before I heard the pricing being speculated at $199, I myself had speculated close to your guess - I was originally thinking $169.

I don’t see many consumers being attracted to a $200 price point and they likely don’t have all three devices to take advantage of the AirPower. If somebody had the Series 3 Apple Watch, the most current charging battery case for the AirPods and iPhone X/8, then maybe.

 

[KrisLord]

I'm ashamed to admit I'm on the hook for the mat and the wireless AirPods case. Fully expecting the mat to cost $200, and the AirPods case to cost $70. I just hope it has enough room to put the iPhone 8 completey on it the long way and still have enough space for the AirPods case - haven't seen any hands on photos trying it on for size that way.

Then again I don't feel too bad spending the money on the small stuff like this once in a while considering I'm using an 8 year old MBP, a 10 year old 24" ACD, and have a 3.5 year old iPad and another nearly 5 year old computer hanging around.

Also I suspect they won't announce these products at the education event, but they will silently go on sale on Tuesday after the event, or maybe just with a press release.

Would you not find more use and enjoyment out of the new iPad they’re expected to launch?

 

[puma1552]

Would you not find more use and enjoyment out of the new iPad they’re expected to launch?

A low end iPad? Not really. Sure it might have better specs than my Air 2, but I'm not one to wait 4 years to get something that ultimately probably would end up being just an incremental upgrade over what I have considering my Air 2 was top of the line and this will surely be a super basic/low spec iPad. When I do buy an iPad, it will be a new Pro, but even then literally all I do on my iPad is Safari in portrait mode and once in a great while, watch a Netflix movie. It's hard to justify buying any new iPad at all based on that unless the battery craps out or they come out with an amazing screen on the new one, etc.

I'd honestly get more enjoyment out of cleaning up the desk aesthetic and getting rid of the Belkin Qi charger and AirPods dock.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I am very happy with the wireless charger I got from Apple. Do not see a need in replacing it. Watch charges fine on its stand. As fast charging the AirPods I do not use them enough to worry about wireless charging.

I will keep my $200 for now.

 

[akash.nu]

My £15 wireless charger from amazon works just fine and the AirPod case doesn’t need to be charged that often anyway in my case.

Not spending that much for just a charging mat.

 

[shinji]

The power management features wouldn't be worth much extra to me. I'd rather go with a third-party mat that doesn't cost $200.

 

[44267547]

My £15 wireless charger from amazon works just fine and the AirPod case doesn’t need to be charged that often anyway in my case.

Not spending that much for just a charging mat.

That’s likely the most logical method for someone who just owns an iPhone 8/X purchasing just a third party wireless charger. If someone owned all three products capable of taking advantage of the Airpower and would truly use it, then maybe its justified for their uses.

 

[KrisLord]

A low end iPad? Not really. Sure it might have better specs than my Air 2, but I'm not one to wait 4 years to get something that ultimately probably would end up being just an incremental upgrade over what I have considering my Air 2 was top of the line and this will surely be a super basic/low spec iPad. When I do buy an iPad, it will be a new Pro, but even then literally all I do on my iPad is Safari in portrait mode and once in a great while, watch a Netflix movie. It's hard to justify buying any new iPad at all based on that unless the battery craps out or they come out with an amazing screen on the new one, etc.

I'd honestly get more enjoyment out of cleaning up the desk aesthetic and getting rid of the Belkin Qi charger and AirPods dock.

I totally understand the desk aesthetics.

I replaced my cheap qi charger with an ikea DIY one and now it’s permanently fitted to my bedside table.

I’d considered the AirPower, but my watch uses a loop strap and so can’t lie flat. I tend to charge my AirPods when at work too.

 

[akash.nu]

That’s likely the most logical method for someone who just owns an iPhone 8/X purchasing just a third party wireless charger. If someone owned all three products capable of taking advantage of the Airpower and would truly use it, then maybe its justified for their uses.

I have the iPhone 8 Plus and the AirPods but not Apple Watch. I guess, as you said, with all three it “kind of” makes sense but still I feel, for the usage it provides, it should’ve been a bit cheaper.

 

[puma1552]

I can't help but think once people hear about whatever easter egg features this has, and once they seem them in store and hold them in hand, some people might change their minds, as often happens with Apple and the initial write-off of a product.

 

[Tsuchiya]

It doesn't seem worth it to me to be honest. But then again, the only device that I own which can make use of it is an iPhone X. For that, the small Mophie charging pad on my desk will suffice.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

I have the Mophie fast charging pad, which works great. My $200 will be better spent elsewhere.

 

[Falhófnir]

I should note I read a CNET article this morning indicating it has some power management feature, which I take to mean that if you put two devices on it and one has a much lower battery than the other, it will divert more juice to the device in more dire need, and charge the device with more battery at a slower rate.

https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-airpower-wireless-charger-everything-we-know/

I don’t see how it can be selective, it generates an electromagnetic field from a copper coil which is harnessed by the coil in the device to be turned back into electricity - I don’t think there’s much scope to ‘direct’ where the power is going?

For me, $200 is not attractive for a wireless charging mat. Unless somebody had all three products, then I can maybe see some practicality for taking advantage of the Air power. But I still prefer to use my iPhone while charging with a cord. If it is $200, Thats fairly expensive for what you’re receiving. I think $179.00 seems more appropriate.

However if somebody just had an iPhone 8 or X, then there are other suitable wireless charging docks on the market for a cheaper price

$20 on a one off purchase makes that much of a difference?

 

[44267547]

$20 on a one off purchase makes that much of a difference?

So you’re implying that the consumer would rather spend the extra $20 or have money saved considering its been rumored for $200.00 for weeks. Try the latter. Marketing and perception is everything. For some, spending $200 on wireless charging pad is simply too much, add a cheaper price point of around $179 and factor if someone had maybe two out of the three products to take advantage of the Airpower, that $20.00 makes a difference.
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I can't help but think once people hear about whatever easter egg features this has, and once they seem them in store and hold them in hand, some people might change their minds, as often happens with Apple and the initial write-off of a product.

I agree that Apple has a unique way of including features that are usually not located until after someone has experienced it. But I truly do believe that the price point will be the ultimate factor how Apple has this priced appropriately for an accessory. I’m not saying it won’t will be successful, but I do think the price is dependent heavily on where the Airpower stands. I said it once before, I really do believe AirPower would have had a strong launch if it had been around the holidays With the iPhone X when that launched in early November.

 

[m0sher]

Meh....I’m not spending that much on a 5w charging dock over my ($60) faster wireless charging 7.5w Mophie. So I vote ‘no’, based on not having to charge more than my X.

 

[Falhófnir]

So you’re implying that the consumer would rather spend the extra $20 or have money saved considering its been rumored for $200.00 for weeks. Try the latter. Marketing and perception is everything. For some, spending $200 on wireless charging pad is simply too much, add a cheaper price point of around $179 and factor if someone had maybe two out of the three products to take advantage of the Airpower, that $20.00 makes a difference.

Well no, I’m thinking about it from the perspective that if I was shopping for a wireless charger, and I wasn’t interested in Apple’s offering for $199, I also wouldn’t be interested at $179 or indeed anything down to about $159 where psychologically it starts to sound more like ‘about $150’ rather than ‘nearly $200’. Conversely, if I were interested at $179 then the extra $20 wouldn’t make a difference, I’d still be interested at $199.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I can't help but think once people hear about whatever easter egg features this has, and once they seem them in store and hold them in hand, some people might change their minds, as often happens with Apple and the initial write-off of a product.

For $200 the Easter egg would have to be golden. Just like the HomePod, it is over priced for what it does but if you like it, buy it.

 

[The Game 161]

Meh....I’m not spending that much on a 5w charging dock over my ($60) faster wireless charging 7.5w Mophie. So I vote ‘no’, based on not having to charge more than my X.

it will support 7.5w btw

and to answer the question yes I will. The ability to charge two phones at once is a big bonus and as somebody who has the series 3 watch i want to just use one pad to charge my main devices. I may buy the air pods case too but it's not as big of a need as the air pods for me don't need to be charged more than once a week anyway.