According to serial leaker Jon Prosser, Apple continues to work on an AirPower-like wireless charging mat having recently overcome issues with overheating. Prosser shared photos of an alleged prototype codenamed “C68” today via Twitter.
Well, you guys wanted a better picture of “C68”… 😏
Remember how I said that the main problem was that current prototypes didn’t support Apple Watch?
Yeah.
Well.They got the Watch working… 👀 pic.twitter.com/LvBeNAAtt3
— jon prosser (@jon_prosser) June 18, 2020
Apple revealed its plans for the AirPower mat at its iPhone X event in September 2017. The key feature of the mat is that it would have been able to charge a compatible iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods case simultaneously, regardless of each device’s position on the mat, and it also would have offered deep integration with iOS.
Apple canceled the AirPower in March 2019, noting that the mat failed to meet its high standards, without diving into specifics. Thanks to patents, we do know that the AirPower was equipped with several overlapping coils inside, and leaker Sonny Dickson previously indicated that one of the primary issues with the mat was overheating.
A few months ago, Prosser claimed that Apple has addressed overheating with its latest wireless charging mat prototypes by reducing the number of coils and integrating an A11 chip that can dynamically manage heat. Prosser added that the mat could be released between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021 if testing is successful.
MacDailyNews Take: So, if this sees the light of day, after being canceled due to overheating issues, it’ll likely be similar to going out to eat in a NYC restaurant: “You go first.” But, after a few weeks, if AirPower units do not exhibit problems, it’ll likely be a strong seller (if priced right). Bottom line:
AirPower is a waste of time at this point to many other alternatives
Don’t worry; This point in your life will not last long. lol
While I understand that the bid “advantage” to AirPower is that you can charge your watch, your phone and your airpods anywhere on the mat – is that really a compelling thing? I mean, is it that burdensome to hang your watch on the small pad dedicated to watches?
There are plenty of combination charging stands out there already, none of which cost what this one will go for.
To buy a piece of tech, always involves your good question, “is that really a compelling thing?” I ask the same thing about the AWatch and the answer has been, “no,” not enough to buy one. I’m getting along just fine without one and my daily activities would likely shorten its life.
With that said, I have a charging mat and it’s nice to plop the iPhone on it without dealing with the “more complicated” (compelling for a 1st world-er) cord hook-up. Could I do without it? Yep…but it’s cost, maybe $15-20, made it a “compelling” purchase experiment.
For $20, or about the cost of a large pizza, sure. The AirPower is expected to retail for $250 or so.
Emphasis: your good question!
That’s a ridiculous assumption, $100 tops, more like $50.
$200 to $250 is the consensus estimate from people who do this for a living.