Multiple USB-C Apple Accessories Reportedly Planned, All-New 'Stackable' MagSafe Battery Pack in Development
Apple is planning to refresh many of its accessories to add a USB-C port following the transition away from Lightning on the iPhone 15 lineup, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman told MacRumors.
On the most recent episode of The MacRumors Show podcast, Gurman said that Apple is seeking to move to USB-C across its lineup of accessories by next year, including all of its AirPods models and Mac accessories. The transition will apparently be relatively fast, mirroring the transition to the Lightning connector following its introduction in 2012.
"They're going to need to do a new MagSafe Duo with USB-C," Gurman said, and Apple "certainly can update the MagSafe battery pack" to add USB-C. It is not entirely clear if these refreshed accessories will be introduced at Apple's "Wonderlust" event on Tuesday, September 12.
Gurman also mused that the now-discontinued Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock could be reintroduced with a USB-C port. Although Apple needs to refresh a large selection of its cables and accessories relatively quickly, he is "not expecting any curveballs or any brand new types of accessories" to be announced at the iPhone 15 Apple event.
In addition, Gurman explained that a new MagSafe Battery Pack is in development, but it is likely not yet ready to be introduced. The next-generation battery pack involves a new concept that allows users to "daisy-chain" multiple battery packs together by stacking them and wirelessly charge multiple devices at the same time. For example, it will be possible to charge two iPhones at the same time, with one placed on either side of the battery pack. It will also, of course, feature a USB-C port.
Gurman said that he does not think the new AirPods Pro with a USB-C port on the charging case, due to be announced next week, will be marketed as "third-generation AirPods Pro." The third-generation AirPods Pro will be a more significant update launching next year or early 2025, Gurman claimed. Listen to The MacRumors Show podcast for Gurman's full thoughts and expectations.
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Top Rated Comments
- A MagSafe wallet I can secure Yale keys in on a night out?
- A MagSafe thin asthma inhaler for the same use? Admittedly this would need some serious investment.
- a laser rangefinder for DIY jobs?
- a spirit level that I can just pull off when needed?
- a rear set of shoulder buttons for gaming?
- a pocket watch case for an Apple Watch giving you an external rear display?
- a magnetic ring flash or macro light?
- a Swiss Army EDC knife set into a rectangular shape?
- an emergency USB-C hub for other devices?
- A magnetic beer mat? I can’t be the only one who rests drinks on the back of my phone when it’s on the arm of the sofa
- A gimble like device that rotates 180 degrees to hold your phone with?
- a camera grip with a shutter button?
- an 8bitdo-style rectangular SNES controller you can just pull off and play with?
- a weather station packed with sensors to measure local humidity and temp accurately?
- a non-invasive blood glucose monitor?
- Just something simple to dock a Siri Remote to?
These are all off the top of my head and all would be useful to someone to have just in their pocket or bag, snapped onto their phone.