AirPower production approved earlier in 2019, rumor says, pointing to imminent release

Production of Apple's long-delayed AirPower charging mat was approved earlier in 2019, a report claimed on Wednesday, adding to rumors it could ship soon — possibly even this week.

The accessory was delayed by "product-development challenges" which have since been rectified, the Wall Street Journal said, citing anonymous sources. No further explanation was offered, but in September 2018 a report said a launch would be delayed until spring because of heat and interference issues.

Wednesday's report was tacked on to the end of the AirPods refresh announcement, by the Wall Street Journal. At present, it isn't clear if the "sources" cited in the story for the AirPower charging pad's imminent release are new, or a reiteration of the report that circulated earlier in 2019 saying that Apple was manufacturing the devices.

Apple originally announced the AirPower in September 2017 with a broad 2018 launch window. That time came and went without any official news, leading some people to wonder if it had been quietly canceled.

A spring 2019 launch is backed up by multiple reports, including a memo by well-connected TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This week has also seen a string of surprise Apple releases, including new AirPods with a wireless charging case, updated iPad Air and Mini tablets, and a refreshed iMac lineup.

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It might make sense then for Apple to launch the AirPower later this week, clearing the slate ahead of a March 25 press event. That gathering will focus mostly on a long-anticipated video streaming service, as well as paid Apple News subscriptions.

11 Comments

22july2013 12 Years · 3804 comments

About 6 years ago

A wireless charger does consume electricity when not in use, but the amount of lost energy per year is roughly the same as a single charge to an iPhone. Even so, green organizations should despise wireless chargers and give Apple some flak for introducing it.

chasm 11 Years · 3730 comments

Odd that it didn't come out today, but there's still tomorrow ... or Friday ... or the March 25 event!

StrangeDays 9 Years · 13037 comments

22july2013 said:

A wireless charger does consume electricity when not in use, but the amount of lost energy per year is roughly the same as a single charge to an iPhone. Even so, green organizations should despise wireless chargers and give Apple some flak for introducing it.

Yeah no. You have power bleeding out of your eyeballs at home and accept it. It’s true inductive chargers are less efficient but it’s still a valid use case. Just like flying in a fast jet is a valid use case, despite the increased use of expensive jet fuel.

We all use energy in different ways. Some things in the way I live are likely more efficient than the way you live, and vice versa.

4 Likes · 0 Dislikes

patchythepirate 13 Years · 1254 comments

22july2013 said:

A wireless charger does consume electricity when not in use, but the amount of lost energy per year is roughly the same as a single charge to an iPhone. Even so, green organizations should despise wireless chargers and give Apple some flak for introducing it.

The energy lost per year is equal to one single iphone charge? And you feel that anyone should care, let alone "despise" this?

This is why people hate social justice warriors. They are not logical. (There are other ways to say this, but I'll keep it civil.)

patchythepirate said:

22july2013 said:

A wireless charger does consume electricity when not in use, but the amount of lost energy per year is roughly the same as a single charge to an iPhone. Even so, green organizations should despise wireless chargers and give Apple some flak for introducing it.

The energy lost per year is equal to one single iphone charge? And you feel that anyone should care, let alone "despise" this?

This is why people hate social justice warriors. They are not logical. (There are other ways to say this, but I'll keep it civil.)

Too late, you already spouted irrational nonsense, injecting your social-political agenda where it was not needed nor wanted. As to your claim that SJW are illogical, that's just unsubstantiated nonsense. It's akin to me saying whoever-voters are mouth-breathing gamer-gate dough-boys. That's opinion, not a statement of fact at all. It's like saying "Strawberry ice cream is the best." Pretty worthless, as far as statements go, really.

(Also, you said you were going to quit AI after being triggered by Trump stories. What happened?)