In September, last year, Apple also unveiled a new wireless charging case for the AirPods, but the official release date for these has not yet been revealed.
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These reports may only apply to the U.S., as they talk about AirPower being sold in Best Buy from the same date as Apple’s own stores, but it’s likely that the rest of the world will get it at around the same time. But at that time, the report was considered to be regarded with a grain of salt.
As 9To5Mac reports, Apple is now expected to launch the AirPower at some point in March.
Internally at Apple, the newer version of the wireless earbuds is being referred to as B288.
By comparison, the current iPhone 8 and iPhone X models can survive in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Apple now looks to be changing that notion by having the Airpods do more than just play music, in its effort to add even more features to drive yearly updates. While some people will happily pay out for the upgraded case, throwing in some upgraded AirPods might make it an easier sell for people who aren’t obsessed with the latest and best technology.
Apple has filed a patent for a wireless charging device that could give us an insight to some other features it could offer, via AppleWorldToday. The charging mat will charge multiple devices – up to three at the same time – without wasting energy and without requiring devices to be aligned to their own charging coils.
Apple’s new charging system operates at 7.5 watts. The Apple Store now sells Apple-made wireless Apple Watch charging cables for $29 and third-party wireless iPhone charging pads for $60, suggesting that a three-device charger would likely go for less. AirPower is confirmed as being compatible with the Apple Watch Series 3, but whether previous generations are compatible is yet to be seen.
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The charging pad contains a loop of coiled wires around a bar magnet, known as an inductor. According to a Polish online retailer, the wireless charging mat would go for $199.
