O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: AirPower

  • Rumor: Apple working on technology to allow iPhone to function as a charging unit for AirPods, other devices

    Rumor: Apple working on technology to allow iPhone to function as a charging unit for AirPods, other devices

    Apple is rumored to be continuing development on a reverse wireless-charging feature that would allow an iPhone to charge other devices, such as its AirPods.

    Per 9to5Mac, the company is said to be working on an “advanced bilateral wireless charging technology” for a next-generation ‌iPhone‌. The company originally intended to implement the functionality in the iPhone 14 Pro models, but it wasn’t “finalized in time.”

    Apple us ansi said to be creating a “wireless power out” firmware version that would be the basis of the two-way wireless charging featuring.

    In order to implement this, Apple needs to optimize aspects like charging speed, heat dissipation, and charging efficiency. Apple is designing a “special user interface” for bilateral wireless charging, which is similar to the interface used for MagSafe accessories.

    Rumors of reverse wireless charging features (or bilateral wireless charging, as it’s sometimes known as) have surfaced several time over the past few years. Bilateral wireless charging was rumored to be an iPhone 11 feature ahead of the device’s launch, but it did not materialize. Rumors later suggested that Apple had abandoned the feature at the time because the charging efficiency did not match Apple’s requirements.

    With the iPhone 12, an FCC filing hinted at reverse wireless charging capabilities that could be hidden inside the hardware. The rumor was somewhat strengthened with the launch of the MagSafe Battery Pack in 2021, wherein Apple somewhat demonstrated how its reverse wireless charging feature might work.

    When attached to an ‌iPhone‌ magnetically, the MagSafe Battery Pack is able to charge using passthrough technology when the ‌iPhone‌ is plugged into a Lightning cable. Charging for AirPods and other devices could eventually work in the same way, connecting to the back of the ‌iPhone‌ and charging at the same time an ‌iPhone‌ does. Apple competitor Samsung has had a reverse wireless charging option for several years now, and it allows a Samsung smartphone to charge any Qi-based device, including another smartphone.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and 9to5Mac

  • Rumor: Apple resuming work on abandoned AirPower wireless charging product

    Rumor: Apple resuming work on abandoned AirPower wireless charging product

    In spite of the assorted starts and stops involved in its now-abandoned AirPower wireless charging product, Apple appears to be working on a future wireless charger.

    In the latest edition of the journalist’s Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reiterates earlier reports that Apple still intends to create a wireless charging accessory that would charge multiple devices like an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once.

    Apple first announced the AirPower wireless charging mat in September 2017 alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone X handsets. At the time, Apple said the charging product would launch sometime in 2018, but that didn’t happen. Following months of rumors about development issues, Apple canceled the project in March 2019.

    Since then, Apple has introduced MagSafe charging for its iPhones as well as the MagSafe Duo accessory, which can wirelessly charge an Apple Watch and ‌iPhone‌ in tandem, although the Duo is just two separate wireless chargers joined together. At present, the company seems to be planning to release a charging device that can charge up all three products at the same time.

    German noted that Apple is still investigating charging solutions that don’t rely on contact-based inductive charging technology. He also stated that Apple is working on “short and long distance wireless charging devices” and that the company “imagines” a future where all of its major devices can charge each other.

    The closest Apple has come to this technology is with its MagSafe battery pack, which can receive power from an ‌iPhone‌ when the latter device is plugged in and charging. Given the ‌MagSafe Battery Pack‌’s reverse wireless charging feature, it seems technically possible that an ‌iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 could deliver power to AirPods or AirPods Pro, but Apple has not yet implemented this feature.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Bloomberg

  • Apple’s MagSafe Duo charger passes Korean regulatory test, could surface at “One More Thing” media event

    Once again, it’s the regulatory tests that herald of nifty things to come.

    Apple’s unreleased MagSafe Duo Charger has passed Korea’s National Radio Research Agency compliance tests, which may indicate that the wireless charging pad is close to shipping out the door.

    Apple announced the ‌MagSafe‌ Duo during its ‌iPhone 12‌ launch event in October. The charging accessory is vaguely reminiscent of Apple’s canceled AirPower charging mat, featuring space to charge both an ‌‌‌iPhone 12‌‌‌ and Apple Watch (but not ‌AirPods‌) at the same time. 

    The company has yet to provide specific availability or price details for the unit, and it has yet to be listed in Apple’s online store. According to the iPhone 12 press release, the MagSafe Duo was set to arrive at a “later date.”

    Even so, this could be among the products announced at Apple’s “One More Thing” press event, which is slated to occur virtually on November 10th.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors

  • Mophie releases 3-in-1 wireless charging stand, allows for fourth device to charge via USB-A port

    Until Apple releases its long-anticipated AirPower charging mat, there are always the accessory makes that come through in a pinch.

    Mophie has launched its new 3-in-1 wireless charging stand. The stand allows you to not only simultaneously charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch, but also adds a dedicated spot to wirelessly charge either the AirPods or AirPods Pro earbuds. The device also features a USB-A port that will allow you to charge a fourth device, as well.

    The charging station is available in both black and white colors and retails for $139.95.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and Zagg

  • Leaked AirTag Quick Start Guide images hint at upcoming features, AirPower interconnectivity

    Once again, it’s the leaks that make life interesting.

    A new leaker by the handle of “Caleb Lin” has released images that offer a Quick Start Guide for Apple’s rumored AirPower and airTag products.

    The images on the right side of the leaked image show an AirTag, an AirPower, and (what looks to be) an Apple Watch charger. Based on the arrows shown in the diagrams, you can place the AirTag on an AirPower or an Apple Watch charger for the AirTag to charge wirelessly. 

    This is strange given that previous leaks have stated that the AirTag will use a user-removable coin battery. The battery is said to be accessibly via a removable door at the bottom of the AirTag, as was seen in early Apple TV removes. The leak also suggests that the AirTags could incorporate a battery that can be charged wirelessly.

    The leaked image also seems to indicate that the main (or only) method of charging AirTags is to use the included wireless charger. The leak also confirms that the wireless charger will be included in the AirTag box.

    Based on the top paragraph on the right side of the leaked image, it appears that the main (or only) method of charging AirTags is by placing it on the included wireless charger, similar to the Apple Watch. It also confirms that a wireless charger will be included in the AirTag box, although the AirPower will be available separately, as can be seen in the fine print at the bottom of the image.

    Another leaked image shows how to attach the AirTag to a keychain. There is also text accompanying the image telling the user to use the “rubber loop”, meaning the diagram shown in this leaked photo is likely a placeholder and will be replaced with the actual diagram before mass production.

    The final leaked image shows an iPhone paired with an AirTags via the “Find My” app. Not much else is given since the placeholder information has yet to be completed.

    The leaks also seem to confirm recent rumors that the AirPower wireless charging pad is still in development at pole. Apple is expected to announce the Apple Watch Series 6 and the next iPad Air on September 8th, with the iPhone 12 following a week or two later.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInformed and @caleblin_apple