AirPower wireless charging, new AirPods will ship in first half of 2019

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited February 2020
Apple will finally get around to releasing its AirPower wireless charging mat and a future generation of AirPods in the first half of 2019, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.




"The new AirPods support wireless charging and upgraded Bluetooth connectivity, and AirPower will start shipping in 1H19," the analyst wrote in a research note to clients on Sunday.

The same memo also pointed to a new high-resolution Apple display, a 16- to 16.5-inch MacBook Pro, and a handful of new iPads.

Previous rumors have suggested that Apple will ship updated AirPods and a wireless charging case this year, the former possibly including health monitoring features. Timing is in dispute, and Kuo makes no mention of fitness tracking capabilities in today's note. He does however claim that wireless charging is coming as a near-term upgrade.

AirPower was initially previewed in 2017 ahead of a scheduled 2018 release. The accessory was quietly and indefinitely delayed as rumors claimed Apple engineers were battling heat and interference issues. Despite presumptions that AirPower would ultimately turn into vaporware, reports in February pointed to parts shipments and mass manufacturing, suggesting the project was back on track.

A next-generation AirPods model has been the topic of wide speculation over the past month. Recent reports claimed the update to Apple's wildly popular wireless earbuds will share a design with the original, but feature a textured surface for improved grip and potentially be offered in a new black color option.

Conflicting rumors point to different release dates. The memo from Kuo says first half of 2019. Other rumors suggest an imminent launch, or one in the fall.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,808member
    I thought this Ming person was going to stop predicting Apple stuff???

    Apple will finally get around to releasing its AirPower wireless charging solution for iPhones and a future generation of AirPods in the first half of 2019, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
    Yes as if Apple was just sitting on their arses and decided one day...yeah maybe we'll release it now. 
    edited February 2019 lolliverStrangeDays
  • Reply 2 of 9
    Anilu_777Anilu_777 Posts: 527member
    I’ll take black AirPods 2 for $300
  • Reply 3 of 9
    davgregdavgreg Posts: 1,037member
    Anilu_777 said:
    I’ll take black AirPods 2 for $300
    Yes on black AirPods, no on the $300.
    The white plastic looks dated. $300 is way too much for the sound quality. 
  • Reply 4 of 9
    jay3000jay3000 Posts: 21member
    Yea the new AirPods better be the same price, unless they have more bass. 
    dhawkins541
  • Reply 5 of 9
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,913member
    Not sure what took Apple this long for Airpower pad. For Airpods, I suggest Apple keep two versions at two price point. One only audio and keep enhancing; other health focus and keep enhancing.
  • Reply 6 of 9
    soundsinamotionsoundsinamotion Posts: 91member
    Air power is too late to the game, 3rd party ones are designed better. There’s no upright position for the phone on this. 
  • Reply 7 of 9
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,808member
    soundsinamotion said:
    Air power is too late to the game, 3rd party ones are designed better. There’s no upright position for the phone on this. 
    So you haven't even seen this product yet but somehow, its not designed as well? You don't even know what this product does! 
    revenant
  • Reply 8 of 9
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,303member
    How amazing to predict this shortly after it becomes known that Apple will have a big event in March! lol
  • Reply 9 of 9
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,879member
    Air power is too late to the game, 3rd party ones are designed better. There’s no upright position for the phone on this. 
    I bet to differ, I see nothing that seems as good. I can let this on the hallway table, or the kitchen island, and we can charge our stuff. And because it’s so slim I can toss it in my travel bag and bring only one cable with me to charge my phone, watch, and airpods as I go to sleep in the hotel. I haven’t seen any others that can meet these use cases. Links?
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