Is Apple resurrecting the AirPower?

Apr 11

Apr 11 Is Apple resurrecting the AirPower?

New information regarding the AirPower has come up to surface lately by Jon Prosser.

According to his sources, Apple has started working on the AirPower project known internally as project “Callisto”, just like the original AirPower. Apple has distributed new AirPower prototypes codenamed “C68” to certain internal teams for testing.

While working from home, engineers on Apple’s ‘Sharing and Proximity’ team are receiving prototype units of something called “C68“.

They are being asked work on software communication between devices for a “future product” that has an A11 inside to “dynamically manage heat”. pic.twitter.com/q4UvnF4ksx
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) April 10, 2020

Apple had originally cancelled the AirPower project due to severe overheating issues caused by the use of overlapping coils inside the original wireless charing mat prototypes. The innovative idea behind the Airpower was exactly that. Apple didn’t want to release a wireless charger with fixed charging zones on it. On the contrary, Apple wanted you to be able to charge your device by placing it anywhere on the AirPower.

Most similar solutions available on the market are working exactly like this. You are able to charge multiple devices on the wireless charging mat, but they charge only if you put them on certain spots of the wireless charger’s surface.

Here’s a look at this mockup image that we made below:

Apple was able to do this by using multiple overlapping wireless charging coils in their prototype mat. Current solutions use multiple coils in a row that do not overlap. The latter is the main differentiating factor between Apple’s ideal solution and the current wireless charging pads. Simply put, too many wireless charging coils used at a very small area is the reason that made the original device to fail.

Apple was also testing several different materials on top of the device from simple plastic to leather and so on. Results were still the same.

But, what is different now? Why is the tech giants trying to resurrect this project?

Apple is definitely driven by its alleged plans to introduce a port-less iPhone over the next two years according to several leaks. Indeed, you haven’t misread; Apple is planning to release an iPhone without ports or physical buttons. This is another story but we mention this, since it’s one of the main reasons that leads Apple to summon the Callisto project.

As mentioned by Jon Prosser, the new “C68” prototypes are equipped with the A11 Bionic chip that will be used as a smart switch that will be deactivating certain coils to keep the temperature at acceptable levels. The material this is used is leather. We made a concept with these two images:

Images above are concept designs

Interestingly enough, OnePlus will be introducing a super fast 30W wireless charger (used to charge one device only). OnePlus, will be using a fan inside that will be used to keep the charger cool. This charger will be throttled during night hours; it will work at lower wattage in order to make the charger quieter at night by lowering the fan’s speed.

Obviously, this isn’t a solution that Apple would ever adopt, because it would affect the charger’s size and yes, noise levels. Apple doesn’t want a chunky and noisy charger.

In conclusion, Apple fans have always been valuing AirPower as a great accessory that ranked very high as one of their most anticipated and desirable upcoming Apple products. An AirPower presentation during one of Apple’s upcoming keynotes would definitely worth the “One More Thing” phrase as its introduction.

Do you agree?