AirPods Wireless Charging Case an add-on, release date and pricing unknown
While there is a Qi-compatible AirPods Wireless Charging Case coming, it does not appear to be included with the default SKU of the AirPods for the foreseeable future -- and the pricing of the peripheral is unknown.
Phil Schiller said on stage during the Sept. 12 release event that the "optional new AirPods Wireless Charging Case" could be placed on the forthcoming AirPower charging dock. Little is actually known about the Apple's charging pad, or the AirPods accessory.
AppleInsider staff examined both following the release event. The AirPods Wireless Charging case is functionally identical to the one that comes with the AirPods now, but with the green charging light on the exterior of the case instead of under the lid. The existing AirPods case has exposed metal on the back -- which appears to be absent on the pre-release versions of the new case.
Beyond the AirPods Wireless Charging Case, the AirPower pad itself will enable wireless charging for the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, and the Series 3 Apple Watch. At this point, it is unclear if any combination of the three can be used on the pad, or how precisely the devices need to be placed on the pad.
Not only is pricing on the AirPods Wireless Charging Case unknown, so is any specific availability date. Presumably the case will be available around the same time that Apple's AirPower pad is shipping -- but should Apple decide to ship sooner, it would be compatible with an array of third party charging accessories available now.
AppleInsider spoke with sources inside Apple not authorized to speak for the company, and was told that pricing on the peripheral had not been decided yet. Our sources declined to provide us a range of prices that were being considered, nor did they discuss even a vague timetable for release.
For comparison, Apple services venues currently charge $69 for a lost AirPods charging case.
Also unclear is if the Qi spec that Apple has implemented will support beyond 7.5W. The Belkin Qi pad revealed on Tuesday is limited to 7.5W for one device, but the newest version of the Qi spec allows for 15W.
Phil Schiller said on stage during the Sept. 12 release event that the "optional new AirPods Wireless Charging Case" could be placed on the forthcoming AirPower charging dock. Little is actually known about the Apple's charging pad, or the AirPods accessory.
AppleInsider staff examined both following the release event. The AirPods Wireless Charging case is functionally identical to the one that comes with the AirPods now, but with the green charging light on the exterior of the case instead of under the lid. The existing AirPods case has exposed metal on the back -- which appears to be absent on the pre-release versions of the new case.
Beyond the AirPods Wireless Charging Case, the AirPower pad itself will enable wireless charging for the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, and the Series 3 Apple Watch. At this point, it is unclear if any combination of the three can be used on the pad, or how precisely the devices need to be placed on the pad.
Not only is pricing on the AirPods Wireless Charging Case unknown, so is any specific availability date. Presumably the case will be available around the same time that Apple's AirPower pad is shipping -- but should Apple decide to ship sooner, it would be compatible with an array of third party charging accessories available now.
AppleInsider spoke with sources inside Apple not authorized to speak for the company, and was told that pricing on the peripheral had not been decided yet. Our sources declined to provide us a range of prices that were being considered, nor did they discuss even a vague timetable for release.
For comparison, Apple services venues currently charge $69 for a lost AirPods charging case.
Also unclear is if the Qi spec that Apple has implemented will support beyond 7.5W. The Belkin Qi pad revealed on Tuesday is limited to 7.5W for one device, but the newest version of the Qi spec allows for 15W.
Comments
2) Isn't the iPhone still shipping with a 5W charger?
PS: I wonder if this fine print means both new phones still come with a USB 2.0/USB-A cable and PSU.
"Testing conducted by Apple in August 2017 using preproduction iPhone X units and software and accessory Apple USB-C Power Adapters (29W Model A1540, 61W Model A1718, 87W Model A1719)"
Damn, ninja'd. Although I genuinely didn't know, it just seemed the most likely explanation, which is why I asked.
It's hard to say why Apple didn't go with Qi all along, it would have made things easier, but it's also not the first time they've gone their own way on something like this, only to change their minds later.
(BTW: Never been much of a fan of Little Britain, and I tend to find Walliams particularly annoying. I have liked some stuff Matt Lucas has done since then, though.)
It's the future as in what the iKnockoffs will stumble over each other to match....but fail.
It's the future as in the first iPhone model to set the standard for next generation iPhone models. (All iPhones have looked the same since the original)
I can't comprehend how you misinterpreted that.
I am also searching around to find an AirPods case supporting wireless charging feature, sorry, I can't wait till AirPods 2018 laid on Apple Store.
Any suggestion?