A new video posted on YouTube on Friday offers an in-depth look at a prototype version of Apple’s AirPower, the company’s ill-fated multi-device charging mat.
Apple in September 2017 gave a sneak peek of AirPower, an Apple-designed wireless charging accessory billed to be “coming in 2018,” offering “a generous active charging area that will allow iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X customers to simultaneously charge up to three devices, including Apple Watch Series 3 and a new optional wireless charging case for AirPods.”
Mike Peterson for AppleInsider:
The 30-minute YouTube video, which is a collaboration between 91Tech and Apple Demo, depicts the deepest dive yet into Apple’s ill-fated charging mat. It offers a hands-on look at AirPower, as well as a look at its underlying code and details about its development.
After issuing commands to the AirPower mat post-reboot, the YouTuber was able to glean a wealth of information about the prototype, including the fact that its firmware was installed on June 7, 2017, as well as other information about its coil setup and more.
The specific prototype in the video is a 22-coil model. Apple had patents filings for both 16-coil and 22-coil variants, and it appears that the latter was the option that Apple was actually planning on putting to market.
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It was going to be Liquidmetal too
Ooooh. Snappy!
Remember all that BS with liquid metal you hear nothing about it anymore. several years back anything then Apple was planning to build would be with liquid metal like that is the best thing since sliced bread
Apple’s mistake is up in the AIR…
MagSafe is a far more reasonable and effective solution. Make one charging coil automatically align to device using magnets, instead of spreading out 22 charging coils in the hope one aligns with randomly placed device. Apple Watch worked that same magnetic way for charging back when they were working on this thing. What would have been the price for a charger with 22 (!) charging coils, for charging 3 just things at once? This idea should not have gotten to the point of physical prototype.