A working prototype of Apple’s long cancelled wireless charging mat, AirPower has surfaced in a new video by YouTuber, Luke Miani, The AirPower was announced alongisde the iPhone X and iPhone 8 in 2017, as an ambitious charging solution for up to three Apple devices – AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone, however, it was cancelled in 2019 after several delays in release.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Apple’s vision was to make a charging mat which could simultaneously charge multiple devices, regardless of where it is positioned. The AirPower prototype in question, features up to sixteen wireless charging coils tightly packed across the surface area and lacks the signature white covering showed in the announced version. Another model with up to 22 wireless charging coils was also shown in the video as well as a SquarePower with wider charging area.
The cluster of charging coils must have lead to heating problems which the company could find a solution to, hence, the cancellation. The AirPower prototype was powered up with a power brick and USB-C to lightning cable, however, it was only able to charge up either the Apple Watch charging case or the iPhone for a few seconds before powering off.
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Judging from the video, the AirPower would have required expensive compoments to assemble and the cost would definitely be passed on to customers. Apple has since moved on to MagSafe compatible wireless chargers (from iPhone 12 and above) and there are a bunch of accesories from the company itself and third-party accessories maker such as Belkin.
Have a look at the video above to see the AirPower Prototype charging mat in brief action.
Source: Luke Miani (YouTube)
Via: iJunkie