Apple’s Long-Awaited AirPower Launch Hinted by iOS 12 Beta
Apple’s AirPower charging mat could finally be available for purchase. The device was first announced back in September 2017, and it was originally expected to launch sometime in early 2018. That did not happen due to technical hurdles, and the whole of 2018 passed without Apple even mentioning anything about the AirPower. We then learnt earlier this year that AirPower finally entered production, and a latest iOS 12 beta suggests the release of the charging mat could be just around the corner.
According to 9to5Mac, iOS 12.2’s developer beta 6 includes significant changes to the components responsible for charging. The publication reports that there’s code used to identify when two devices are charging on the same mat at the same time. So it seems like Apple has readied the software required for AirPower and the special UI that you see for charging on the iPhone in the picture above.
And with Apple launching a bunch of hardware this week ahead of its services-focused event, don’t be surprised if Apple ends up launching the new AirPower sometime this week. The company already announced two new iPads on Monday, new iMac upgrades today, and if that wasn’t enough, more hardware — including a new iPod Touch — is expected to come out later this week. And that could include the new AirPods 2 with a wireless charging case (that work with the AirPower), and the AirPower itself.