Siri and HomeKit Support
While this one is more of a stretch, it’s not out of the question that Apple could use Bluetooth and Wi-FI to actually add HomeKit support to its charging mat, which would allow users to see their chargers as devices within their homes, and do things like query charging status simply by asking Siri questions like, “Are my AirPods charged yet?”
This would make for a more expensive charging mat, but it’s not out of the question if Apple wants to sell it as a premium product, and it wouldn’t be surprising considering that most analysts expected that AirPower would have sold for $150 or more.