Apple's missing AirPower mystery deepens

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Apple's AirPower charger, a multifunctional wireless charging dock for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, was announced nearly a year ago during the iPhone X launch. AirPower served as an ideal accessory for users invested in the Apple lifestyle, a singular place where they could charge all their devices wirelessly.

AirPower was conspicuously absent during today's iPhone Xs and iPhone Xr launch, even if these new iPhones can supposedly charge wirelessly at a faster rate than previous iPhones. Apple analysts also noted that there was no mention of inductive or wireless charging during the keynote which made it clear that Apple didn not want to go there.

It seems that Apple is running into issues in bringing AirPower to market in a way that is satisfactory to their standards. While being able to charge three different types of devices at once may sound like a simple task, Apple is likely trying to make AirPower smart and safe.

Dealing with charging and batteries is far more complicated. Specially when you consider the increase in temperature of batteries inside devices while they are being charged. Wireless charging is, in itself, a hit or miss affair. Phones need to be placed in a very specific  area of the charging pad in order to properly charge. Same with the AirPod case and the Apple Watch. It seems that too many variables have held back the release of AirPower beyond the timeframe Apple has set for the accessory.

Will AirPower ever come to market? Apple hasn't confirmed a date for the release of this product. Third party accessory makers have already released competing products to AirPower and now have an open window to update these for the newer iPhones and Apple Watch.