5 Cool Things Apple Could Do with Its Own Wireless Charging Mat

While we generally have a pretty good idea of what Apple is up to in terms of its mainstream products—new iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads are almost certainly coming—one of the more unexpected revelations to come out of Apple’s supply chain in recent weeks is that the company is said to be working on its own wireless charger.

The report isn’t idle speculation either—it comes from Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a pretty solid track record of being accurate about what Apple is up to, which gives it an extra level of credibility.

This has been surprising for a couple of reasons, not the least of which is that Apple already tried this and failed quite publicly. However, with AirPower, Apple was trying to create a revolutionary new wireless charging solution, and trying to break the laws of physics in the process. So it seems unlikely that it’s going to make another attempt to create something like AirPower, and in fact the report says it’s working on a “smaller wireless charging mat,” suggesting a less ambitious product.

However, with dozens of wireless charging mats available—many of which are already sold in Apple’s retail stores—it’s safe to assume that Apple needs to bring something more significant to the table than just another wireless charger.

Of course, Apple’s branding and the implied guarantee that its own charger will work with Apple products might be enough of an appeal to make it sell reasonably well, but it still seems like if Apple is going to attempt its own wireless charger, it’s still going to be trying to think differently in some way. After all, when Apple introduced AirPods, it didn’t just create another set of earbuds, but actually produced an accessory that revolutionized the marketplace.

A more utilitarian device like a charger isn’t likely to become the kind of hit that AirPods have, but there’s still a lot of room for Apple to innovate here, since most wireless chargers are relatively uninspired and, for lack of a better word, boring. Continue reading to learn 5 Cool Things Apple Could Do with Its Own Wireless Charging Mat.