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WSJ Says Apple Approved Production of AirPower Earlier This Year as Previously Rumored

Wednesday March 20, 2019 9:59 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

The Wall Street Journal today reports that Apple approved production of its long-awaited wireless charging mat AirPower earlier this year after facing challenges with developing the accessory. This supports previous supply chain rumors.

From the report:

The company earlier this year approved production of a wireless-charging pad called ‌AirPower‌, according to people familiar with the matter. It had announced the product in late 2017.

‌AirPower‌, which would allow users to charge the new AirPods and an iPhone simultaneously, has been delayed by product-development challenges, the people said. Apple typically announces new products within months of beginning production.

Last month, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the AirPower will launch in the first half of 2019 alongside new ‌AirPods‌, which were announced today, but a specific release date is unclear. Kuo also expects a new iPod touch with a faster processor in the first half of this year, but there has been no sign of one so far this week.

Apple has announced new iPads on Monday, new iMacs on Tuesday, and new AirPods on Wednesday of this week, so it is possible the ‌AirPower‌ could follow on Thursday or Friday, but no reliable rumors have indicated that will be the case.

Apple initially said the ‌AirPower‌ would be released in 2018, but the year came and went without a release, and the company hasn't said a word about the mat in many months. Apple removed the last remaining reference to the ‌AirPower‌ on its website, a photo of the mat, from its ‌AirPods‌ page earlier today.

.@trippmickle with some ‌AirPower‌ details https://t.co/Epx0rQNAE4 pic.twitter.com/2qQFcUnjOO
— Joanna Stern (@JoannaStern) March 20, 2019

Apple is holding a media event on March 25 at Steve Jobs Theater, where it is widely expected to unveil news and streaming video services, but this week's product announcements suggest the event might not see much if any hardware on stage.

‌AirPower‌ is designed to charge multiple Apple devices at once, including the iPhone 8 and newer, Apple Watch Series 3 and newer, and ‌AirPods‌ when they are placed in the new optional wireless charging case introduced today.

Tag: AirPower Guide

Top Rated Comments

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AngerDanger

9 months ago

Apple initially said the AirPower would be released in 2018, but the year came and went without a release, and the company hasn't said a word about the mat in many months. Apple removed the last remaining reference to the AirPower on its website, a photo of the mat, from its AirPods page earlier today.

Yep, they've definitely changed the design around. As predicted earlier, I anticipate this to be the final design:

Rating: 17 Votes

agsystems

9 months ago

149.99, Which is still too high...but way more reasonable than 199.99

Nothing shocks me anymore - if Apple is charging $80 for an empty wireless Airpod case - this thing could go for $249-299

Rating: 6 Votes

eroslws

9 months ago

Nothing shocks me anymore - if Apple is charging $80 for an empty wireless Airpod case - this thing could go for $249-299

I’m worried too tbh. Looking at Belkin that sells comparable, but less featured multi-device wireless chargers around $150, there’s no way this will be less than $199. $249 is realistic.

Rating: 3 Votes

Classie

9 months ago

Well... I think it’s the real deal then.

I really “need” this product; I always have 2-3charges hanging from the wall. Can’t wait to tidy up :)

Rating: 3 Votes

decypher44

9 months ago

Again, how would you charge your watch with a sport loop?

Rating: 3 Votes

RevTEG

9 months ago

I just don't understand the wide coverage of an anticipated release of a wireless charger. There are several Qi wireless chargers out there that are gonna be most likely cheaper than the AirPower, yet every article on here is about the excitement and anticipation, the accurate or inaccurate reporting of when and how it's gonna look like, and of finally releasing a wireless charger just because Apple's name is behind it?

I'm probably on the minority on this one but what is really the big deal (real curiosity)?

I agree with you but I think the interest isn’t so much the AirPower itself. It’s the fact that Apple announced a product, missed the release time. The fact that it seems Apple has struggled with this product makes it more interesting than the actual product.
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I think AirPower is coming too. But what is the significance of removing the picture? I missed your point.

A different MR post tried to indicate that since they removed the picture from the AirPods that it could mean AirPower isn’t being released. I think that’s what they were referring to.

Rating: 2 Votes

ArtOfWarfare

9 months ago

It's interesting how many products Apple has released this week ahead of the event... does this mean they'll have a shorter, better focused presentation next week, or are they going to still have a crazy two hour presentation where they mostly talk about minor stuff (IE, 20 minutes of talking about their stores and how they're at the intersection of making money and screwing people over?)

Rating: 2 Votes