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AirPower Misses Promised 2018 Launch, But Might Not Be Canceled

Wednesday January 2, 2019 6:51 am PST by Joe Rossignol
The calendar has turned over to a new year and Apple has officially failed to deliver on its promise of releasing the AirPower mat in 2018.


Apple first previewed the multi-device wireless charging accessory at Steve Jobs Theater in September 2017, shortly after introducing the iPhone X, and indicated that it would be released at some point last year in a press release:
Apple gave a sneak peek of AirPower, an Apple-designed wireless charging accessory coming in 2018, which offers 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.
2018 has come and gone, though, and Apple has not commented on the AirPower for many months. Following its September 2018 event, the company removed all but a few mentions of the accessory from its website.


AirPower is still referenced in the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR user guides, on the Apple Watch Series 3 tech specs page, and in some recent Apple job listings, while Apple has recently applied for a few AirPower-related patents, so there remains some hope for a future release despite the missed deadline.

Sonny Dickson, a source of iPhone leaks in the past, said Apple has faced technical challenges with the AirPower, including overheating. A few days ago, developer Steve Troughton-Smith said he's heard Apple may have overcome those problems and can hopefully move forward with releasing the AirPower.


In a late October research note obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote that Apple may launch the AirPower "in late 4Q18 or early 1Q19," suggesting that the AirPower could be released as late as March.

The delayed or canceled release of the AirPower is likely the reason why Apple has yet to release its optional wireless charging case for AirPods, which remains listed as "currently unavailable" on Apple's website. Like the AirPower, Kuo had said the wireless case may be released by the first quarter of 2019.


At this point, it's a game of wait and see. With the holiday season in the rearview mirror, hopefully Apple provides some clarity on the situation soon.

Tag: AirPower
[ 201 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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hobocamp456
3 weeks ago
It's too late. A lot of people don't care about this product anymore. They took too long. Everyone has a wireless charger or two already.
Rating: 44 Votes
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HiVolt
3 weeks ago

It's too late. A lot of people don't care about this product anymore. They took too long. Everyone has a wireless charger or two already.


I agree. This product would have sold if released alongside or at least very soon after the iPhone 8/X launch which were the first iPhones with wireless capabilty. Right now, like you said, anyone with an Apple phone who wanted wireless charging already has one, at a fraction of the price this thing would cost.
Rating: 19 Votes
Avatar
bobob
3 weeks ago
Has there ever been so much manufactured drama about a single minor Apple accessory?

MacRumors has ridden this click-horse all the way to the bank.
Rating: 15 Votes
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vertical smile
3 weeks ago
As secretive as Apple is, it is strange that they would announce a product before they were sure that they could make it work.
Rating: 12 Votes
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Kanyay
3 weeks ago
i met with tim a few weeks back and he said itll be out in 2020 when i drop my new album. i dont believe him because i dont have an album dropping in 2020.
Rating: 10 Votes
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DrJohnnyN
3 weeks ago
Is there even a demand for this product at this point?
Rating: 9 Votes
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sinsin07
3 weeks ago
Done on purpose to raise anxiety and therefore increase price. :):D:p
[doublepost=1546441434][/doublepost]

Has there ever been so much manufactured drama about a single minor Apple accessory?

MacRumors has ridden this click-horse all the way to the bank.

And they thank you for your assistance.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Shiro_Simba
3 weeks ago

YEAH BABY.
THE BEST OR NOTHING
[doublepost=1546440968][/doublepost]
i dont have, i wait for the premium one, not some cheap devices
ONE PAD TO CHARGE THEM ALL


You actually want a wireless pad? But are waiting for a premium one.... you know there are premium charging pads out there if just want to throw $$$ away. They All do the same thing . You can pay a lot more than an Apple lightening cable if you want “premium” ;)
Rating: 7 Votes
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Enclavean
3 weeks ago
Wish they would just release the AirPods wireless charging case first
Rating: 6 Votes
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dannyyankou
3 weeks ago

Better to take a 100 years to release a product and do it right, than rush it out and have it spontaneously blow up in your face next to your night stand.

Even better to not announce it until it’s ready
Rating: 6 Votes

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