Computerworld:
It’s now been a full year since Apple announced it would release its first wireless charger to go along with the first iPhones that could be wirelessly charged.
But at an event that included the announcement of three new iPhones and an updated Apple Watch, that didn’t happen.
At the time of its 2017 announcement, Apple described the AirPower pad as capable of charging three devices at the same time: an iPhone 8 or iPhone X, an Apple Watch Series 3 and AirPods via their charging case.
Since there are already wireless chargers available today capable of charging three devices at the same time, an obvious question is: Why is it taking Apple so long to come out with its own charger, especially since it will use the widely adopted Qi-charging specification?
I said on last week’s Your Mac Life show that, if Apple didn’t announce a release date for the Airpower, it would be the biggest embarrassment of this event. I stand by that. Shameful for Apple to not have even mentioned it even though, as John Gruber tweeted, the new iPhones would really benefit from it.
This is why Jobs didn’t pre-announce. He knew that penny ante score keeping journalists would throw hissy fits. Well done on confirming it.
While people watching Apple care, I think the rest of the world has already moved on. AirPower actually shipping now would likely be met with complete indifference from just about everyone.
The original iMac was announced over 3 months early.
Jobs preannounced several things. And I’m not sure why you you think holding Apple’s feet to the fire over a vapourware product almost 12 months late is “throwing a hissy fit”.
I think it’s because this is a minor accessory and people act like it’s a heinous crime not to have delivered. Embarrassing? Absolutely. But it’s a CHARGER. Let’s keep some perspective there.
Well right, it was supposed to be a better charging pad. But it’s still… a charging pad. Calling this ‘shameful’ etc is just rank hyperbole.
Edit: Added a word. I was trying to agree with you. 🙂
I bet it comes out with the new iPads.
Less time for Shawn to freak out.
What fun is that??
“Embarrassment”? For whom? So what! if devices would benefit from it?
I’ve gotten along fine without one for over a decade now.
On the other hand, it might be nice, once Apple finally delivers one. But if they don’t or decide not to, it doesn’t really matter.
It’s not only just a charger, but if they were really having trouble with the features that were supposed to make it stand out then it’s a charger like everyone else.
If Apple doesn’t need to make monitors and printers it doesn’t really need to make charging mats either.
I think hyperventilating over a charger pretty much fits any definition of ‘hissy fit’ that exists, as does using the words “biggest embarrassment” and “shameful.”
IT’S A CHARGER. GET A GRIP.
You’re old enough to realize you can be wrong and still be a decent person, or right and still be an asshole. Right?
I’m only six, so my moral compass hasn’t fully developed.
“shameful” – groan…why are techies full of so much dramatic entitlement? you don’t see people getting this pissy about housewares or power tools. “The new Black & Decker cordless isn’t out yet? THIS IS SHAMEFUL!”
Must have run across issues that make it not work as they had hoped.
Who knew – insert hard thing – was so hard? Where have we heard that before? Embarrassed. No doubt lesson learned.