Apple resurrects MagSafe branding for line of iPhone 12 accessories
Apple has brought back its MagSafe name for a new ecosystem of iPhone 12 accessories including cases, chargers, and wallets.
MagSafe Components on iPhone 12
During its "Hi, Speed" October event, Apple debuted a new feature for iPhone 12: MagSafe. The reinvigorated name now refers to an integrated magnet in the back of the iPhone 12 line. Using this set of magnets, Apple opens up new possibilities for a large ecosystem of accessories that it will be creating along with third-party manufacturers.
Apple MagSafe Duo
The MagSafe charger snaps to the back of iPhone 12 and allows you to hold and use the iPhone while it is being charged at fast speeds. There is also the MagSafe Duo which is a folding charger that can charge both an iPhone 12 and Apple Watch simultaneously.
Other Apple accessories include a magnetically attaching wallet and a new sleeve. The sleeve uses the magnet that, when detected by iPhone, causes the clock to illuminate through a small window in the case.
Belkin's new MagSafe accessories
Accessory makers will be free to create their own MagSafe devices as well. Belkin is soon to release a new MagSafe car mount as well as a new multi-device charging dock.
MagSafe Components on iPhone 12
During its "Hi, Speed" October event, Apple debuted a new feature for iPhone 12: MagSafe. The reinvigorated name now refers to an integrated magnet in the back of the iPhone 12 line. Using this set of magnets, Apple opens up new possibilities for a large ecosystem of accessories that it will be creating along with third-party manufacturers.
Apple MagSafe Duo
The MagSafe charger snaps to the back of iPhone 12 and allows you to hold and use the iPhone while it is being charged at fast speeds. There is also the MagSafe Duo which is a folding charger that can charge both an iPhone 12 and Apple Watch simultaneously.
Other Apple accessories include a magnetically attaching wallet and a new sleeve. The sleeve uses the magnet that, when detected by iPhone, causes the clock to illuminate through a small window in the case.
Belkin's new MagSafe accessories
Accessory makers will be free to create their own MagSafe devices as well. Belkin is soon to release a new MagSafe car mount as well as a new multi-device charging dock.
Comments
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MagSafe Duo was as innovative as AirPower. Well done Apple!
Nope. I mentioned in another post how I'm always hesitant to say "Apple won't..." but I'm pretty sure Apple won't bring MagSafe in anything like the form it was, to their laptops.
For people who want it, there's plenty of great options here: https://www.google.com/search?q=usb-c+magsafe
Perhaps Apple will bring out their own version of one of those, but they're not bringing any of the old ports (including MagSafe) physically back to their laptops. Rightly or wrongly their approach is that USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 (and whatever's coming next with USB4/TB4/etc) handles everything and provides the greatest flexibility, whereas for every "legacy" port they add, something else has to give for it.
If we're going to say "Well they don't have to make them so thin and light" then I'll say "Great, then Apple, go ahead and make them bigger, and then add more battery, RAM, storage, cores, thunderbolt ports, better gpu, or anything else before you add MagSafe or any of the other legacy ports." Which is exactly what they did with the 16" and that's proven a huge winner.
I, too mourn the loss of MagSafe charging. It was quick, easy and virtually idiot proof. You talk about specialized connectors, but changing is something that everyone does on their laptop, without exception, so if there’s anything that’s deserving it’s a charge port. One thing about USB C is that the connector doesn’t hold in the socket very well, so it tends to pull out fairly easily. This may be why Apple felt it was OK to do away with MagSafe charging.
I sincerely hope that the input to it is a USB-C connector. The sheer permutation of USB-A, USB-C <-> Lightning is causing me to feel a bit nauseous. As I’m traveling a lot it would be great if all I need to worry about it bringing all the combinations with me all the time.