Apple’s AirPower charging mat promised to be able to top up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time before it was quietly cancelled. Now tech leaker Jon Prosser is saying that he has sources that confirm Apple hasn’t given up on its wireless charging dream:
AirPower isn’t dead ? The project is back on, internally. No guarantee that they’ll finalize and release it, but they haven’t given up yet and they’re trying to re-engineer the coils to displace heat more effectively. Prototyping is underway. ????? pic.twitter.com/tjbbViwGM2
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) March 22, 2020
Although he admits there’s no guarantee this internal work will end up a product, Prosser claims that Apple is still working to fix what meant AirPower never saw the light of day. When iPhones and AirPods can now charge wirelessly, it’s notable that Apple does not sell its own first party wireless charger.
AirPower reportedly had overheating issues as Apple tried to build something that would safely charge multiple devices at a time when placed anywhere on a mat. It was a rare case of Apple overengineering.
Most wireless chargers require you to carefully place the device in an exact spot whereas Apple was aiming for placing the devices anywhere. If it’s working to improve its own wireless charging products it may well be addressing these issues.
When Apple cancelled AirPower about a year ago, the company said “We apologize to those customers who were looking forward to this launch. We continue to believe that the future is wireless and are committed to push the wireless experience forward.”
Here’s hoping.
Author: Henry Burrell, Phones Editor
Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.