Apple announced a wireless charging mat called AirPower in 2017. The company marketed the device in a way that awed many tech fans, touting it as a charger that can power up to three devices simultaneously. Not long after, rumors emerged that the project had been canceled by Apple, which is confirmed in late March. However, a new patent has been spotted hinting that the Cupertino tech giant could be working on a device that functions similarly.
Apple has reportedly filed a patent with the number 10396578 that is being described as "wireless charging system that offers wireless charging to a variety of devices." When a paired device is placed on the charging pad, the pad will verify it, and a notification is sent to the user.
Reports have claimed that the AirPower had been shelved due to manufacturing and engineering issues. With this new patent, it seems that Apple is trying to resurrect the project but with a new approach in order to make it more feasible.
The description of the patent states that the device will have a rectifier circuitry for getting power and a receiving coil, which makes it capable of charging multiple devices. The devices being charged will be displayed on the status.
It's worth noting that huge companies like Apple are quite notorious for filing several patents each year, so we're not saying that this project will materialize sooner or later. However, at the time of the confirmation that the AirPower project had been rid of, the company's SVP of hardware Dan Riccio revealed that the device did not make it to their standards. However, they still believe that the future is wireless, which is a hint that there's a chance it could be brought back eventually, perhaps using several different prototypes.
Apple encountered problems with signals and overheating on the AirPower. If a new AirPower is to come out, it's possible that the company has devised a way in which the number of coils is reduced without affecting its ability to charge several devices.
As this report has not been confirmed by Apple, we should all take this with a grain of salt. There is, however, an upcoming feature on the iPhone that supports bilateral wireless charging.
The new line of iPhones will be officially launched on Sept. 10, although we doubt that the company will announce the next AirPower on the same event. For now, we wait.
