Apple Cancels the Release of the AirPower Wireless Charger

• Apple will not release their “AirPower” wireless charger on the market after all.
• Following delays and secrecy, the project was canceled as the product couldn't meet Apple's standards.
• AirPod owners could get a refund for the wireless charging case, while the rest will have to use products of other companies.

Apple’s Senior Vice President of the Hardware department Dan Riccio has announced that their vision for a wireless charger which was named “AirPower” will not see the light of day after all. As he stated: “After much effort, we’ve concluded AirPower will not achieve our high standards and we have canceled the project. We apologize to those customers who were looking forward to this launch. We continue to believe that the future is wireless and are committed to push the wireless experience forward.”

This comes as a huge disappointment for Apple fans around the world, who were eagerly waiting to hear something positive about the development of the product. Last year, we reported that the product didn’t have a release date, and a couple of days later we clarified that you shouldn’t be expecting to see AirPower in 2018. As the year’s end approached though, we tapped into a newly disclosed Apple patent that showed the company’s approach to the security of the AirPower, so the hopes went high again. Unfortunately, it’ll all stay on paper, at least for the time being.

According to reports, the challenges that Apple’s engineers faced but didn’t manage to resolve to include overheating problems, ability to charge multiple devices on any spot of the charging mat, and various software-related hindrances. The worst part is that the new AirPods that were launched ten days ago created false expectations to the customer, as they even feature a diagram of a wireless charging mat on the box, implying a technical capability that will remain locked in the sphere of the longing desire. Apple products may still be wirelessly charged by using products of Belkin, or Mophie, but the lack of an in-house product is a blow for the tech giant.

AirPower price:

AirPod box shows lightning cable. But lightning to USB-A maxes at 12W. Must be lightning to USB-C.

Wireless charging 3 devices needs 30W+. via https://t.co/C97Smpq644

USB-C 30W charger + cable = $70 alone!

So AirPower must be $149-$199? pic.twitter.com/i6iJX2mJuA

— Ryan Jones (@rjonesy) March 29, 2019

Those who have bought the new AirPods with a wireless charging case will be eligible for a refund, as long as it has been maintained in pristine condition. For those who have bought Apple Watches or iPhones on the premise that they will be able to charge them simultaneously on the AirPower mat, there will be no refunds, unfortunately. I wouldn’t use the strong betrayal word here, but I’d say that when a behemoth company like Apple deals with an especially tricky technology like wireless charging, they should be more careful with what they are promising to their customers, and how these promises are conveyed through their various channels of communication, even the product boxes.

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