Apple device collector Giulio Zompetti shared a video of a seemingly functional AirPower prototype on Twitter, providing a first look at the much-discussed charger.
Most of you know the story of AirPower. For everyone else – here is a brief review. At the September 2017 keynote, Apple not only presented the iPhone X and iPhone 8 as well as the iPhone 8 Plus, but also a Qi-enabled charging mat – AirPower. But what exactly makes the mat so special – the Apple logo, for example? No – it is the freedom it offers the user. For example, AirPower could have charged an iPhone, an Apple Watch and the AirPods at the same time – alternatively, four Apple Watch devices or two iPhone models with AirPods would have been possible. But the highlight of it – no matter how the devices were positioned, the charging process would still start. Unfortunately, Apple failed to implement it. According to insiders, AirPower had overheating problems.
AirPower: iOS animation confirms charging process
The reason for this was the arrangement of the charging coils, which do not specify a fixed charging zone. Ultimately, Apple officially abandoned the project in March 2019. Today's video shows a unique iOS animation on the screen when the iPhone is placed on the AirPower charging mat. This animation had previously only been seen in Apple's marketing shots at the time. This is therefore the first time it has been seen in the wild. An iPhone on the AirPower charging mat would have shown the charging status of all devices that were placed on the mat. Zompetti is an avid collector of Apple prototypes and has already published images of an Apple Watch Series 3 prototype with additional ports, an original iPad with two 30-pin connectors, an iPhone 12 Pro prototype, a third-generation iPod touch with a rear camera and rare original Apple Watch prototypes - to the AirPower video. (Image: Apple)