There's Still No Sign of Apple's AirPower Charging Mat

Monday June 4, 2018 4:29 PM PDT by Juli Clover
Where is the AirPower? That's the question on the minds of many Apple Watch and iPhone owners as yet another event passes by without a launch date for the accessory.

Apple executives made no mention of the AirPower on stage at this year's keynote, dashing hopes that a launch date for the device might come alongside the unveiling of iOS 12, macOS Mojave, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5. It's not a huge surprise, though, as WWDC is a developer focused conference that puts software first.

In past years, Apple has unveiled hardware, but this year's event was focused on software with the sole hardware product being a new Pride Apple Watch band.


It's now been almost nine months since the AirPower was first introduced in September alongside the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. Apple at the time said the device would be released in 2018, and while that launch date hasn't expired, many figured it would be coming earlier in 2018 rather than later.

The AirPower is a unique Qi-based wireless charging accessory that's able to charge an iPhone (X, 8 or 8 Plus), an Apple Watch, and the AirPods (with a new Wireless Charging Case) all at once.

It's not clear why Apple's work on the AirPower is taking so long, but it could be due to the combination of different charging technologies in the device. The Apple Watch Series 3, for example, does not charge over Qi, so Apple needs to merge several wireless charging formats.

We don't know when Apple plans on releasing the AirPower, but at this point, it could be held back until September, launching alongside the new 2018 iPhones. It's also possible, though, that we'll get a surprise press release sometime this summer.

As was predicted, WWDC 2018 was entirely devoid of hardware with the exception of a single new Apple Watch band. Apple announced no new Macs or iPads, despite the fact that most of its Mac and iPad lineup is due for an update. All of these updates could come in September with the new iPhones, or Apple could elect to do another Mac and iPad-focused summer or fall event.

Tag: AirPower Guide
70 comments

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justiny
19 months ago
I’m certainly not a fan of this new(ish) Apple trend lately of announcing new products, then not seeing or even hearing anything more about them for nine months. Messages with iCloud sync was announced 12 months ago but just became official to consumers last week.

Apple’s Keynotes on hardware and software are starting to become “concept” videos.

“Coming later this year... Or maybe next year! We really don’t know.”
Rating: 26 Votes
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e-coli
19 months ago
This is really pathetic. If you can’t launch it, don’t announce it.
Rating: 17 Votes
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roland.g
19 months ago
What a slap in the face. No new hardware. Here’s a rainbow watch band and some other pastel colors.
Rating: 16 Votes
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roland.g
19 months ago

It’s a software event, and the watch bands are seasonal for summer and pride. Why are you complaining that they didn’t announce this fall’s hardware early?

Many if not almost most WWDC events introduce new notebooks. So let’s not pretend that doesn’t happen. There’s no early to it. There is precedent.
Rating: 7 Votes
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Appleaker
19 months ago
A day 1 release with the 2018 iPhones is the most likely release date, especially since it's lost it's momentum at this stage and September is just months away.
Rating: 7 Votes
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rmoliv
19 months ago
What’s the point of announcing a product if its not going to be released anytime soon after the announcement... I was going to buy it but now I’m not. If sales drop they might understand people don’t like to be fooled. Let them have orgasms with those stupid memojis.
Rating: 6 Votes
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IPPlanMan
19 months ago

What’s the point of announcing a product if its not going to be released anytime soon after the announcement... I was going to buy it but now I’m not. If sales drop they might understand people don’t like to be fooled. Let them have orgasms with those stupid memojis.


So that you hesitate on buying anything from the competition while you wait.
Rating: 5 Votes
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btrach144
19 months ago

And there was no HomePod feature updates to go along with iOS 12... best part of the keynote was the screen time monitoring and allowances...

Good point! HomePod got 0 screen time! Not a good sign.
Rating: 4 Votes
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cknibbs
19 months ago
And there was no HomePod feature updates to go along with iOS 12... best part of the keynote was the screen time monitoring and allowances...
Rating: 4 Votes
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Kaibelf
19 months ago

What’s the point of announcing a product if its not going to be released anytime soon after the announcement... I was going to buy it but now I’m not. If sales drop they might understand people don’t like to be fooled. Let them have orgasms with those stupid memojis.


It was announced in tandem with Qi charging being announced for the iPhone lineup. I’m sure Apple will go bankrupt because they lost your powermat sale.
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What a slap in the face. No new hardware. Here’s a rainbow watch band and some other pastel colors.


It’s a software event, and the watch bands are seasonal for summer and pride. Why are you complaining that they didn’t announce this fall’s hardware early?
Rating: 4 Votes
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