Rumor: AirPower wireless charging mat production approved earlier this year

As long-delayed as it was, it appears that Apple’s AirPower charging mat was approved earlier this year, thereby fueling rumors that it could ship as soon as this week.

Per the Wall Street Journal, the unit was delayed by “product-development challenges” that have since been rectified, according to anonymous sources. No further explanation was offered, but in September 2018 a report said a launch would be delayed until spring because of heat and interference issues.

The report was tacked on to the end of an AirPods refresh announcement, and it isn’t clear how recent the information cited by the anonymous sources might happen to be.

Apple originally announced the AirPower in September 2017 with a broad 2018 launch window. That time came and went without any official news, leading some people to wonder if it had been quietly canceled. 

The possibility of a spring 2019 launch for the AirPower mat has been backed up by several reports, including a memo ended by TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

It’s also thought that an AirPower launch later this week would clear the slate for Apple’s March 25th press event, which is thought to focus largely on Apple’s long-awaited video streaming service as well as paid Apple News subscriptions.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via AppleInsider and the Wall Street Journal