Disappointing, especially after the rumors fed by the Airpods manual.
I am probably going to get the Nomad Base Station once it becomes available. https://hellonomad.com/products/base-station-apple-watch
I’d be interested in knowing more about Apple’s challenges. … as a heads up in evaluating other companies devices.
Everything I’ve personally heard (Apple is saying nothing officially) about the AirPower delay has been related to tough engineering problems related to the laws of physics. Specifically, I’ve heard that they ran too hot because the 3D charging coils in close proximity to one another required very, very cautious power management. Techcrunch
That was … something.
It’s too bad, since I was considering getting AirPods soon and probably would have spring for the version with the wireless charging so I could easily charge my XSmax and AirPods (and who knows, maybe even Watch eventually) overnight.
I suppose I could still do that with another product, but that will require some research now, along with some deep skepticism about those chargers’ abilities given Apple’s retreat from the product category.
I suspect Apple could just not get its sweet monster margin (thats the standard they are speaking about).
All reports are that the technology problems could not be solved. Matthew Panzarino at TechCrunch write, "Everything I’ve personally heard (Apple is saying nothing officially) about the AirPower delay has been related to tough engineering problems related to the laws of physics. Specifically, I’ve heard that they ran too hot because the 3D charging coils in close proximity to one another required very, very cautious power management."
I agree with John Gruber, who wrote, "Somebody looked at the technical hurdles AirPower still faced in September 2017 and convinced the executive team that they’d figure it all out, and it was safe to announce. Because they’re Apple, and they always figure these things out. And there were other people who looked at AirPower’s multi-coil design and said it was unlikely to ever work safely. The wrong side won that argument."
It sounds like I should return my wireless AirPods 2 and go buy the wired AirPods 2 instead…
RIP AirPower. You shall be remembered forever. 
I have a few Qi charging stations now (the Mophie partnership station that Apple first started selling IS the best of all brands I’ve tried), a couple in my home, one at work. I was REALLY looking forward to getting AirPower and the updated AirPods. I was holding out for the new AirPods, despite the fact mine are getting around 40-ish minutes per charge.
Now I’m not so sure I want to pay the extra cash for the Gen 2 or just get another pair of Gen 1 for the cheaper option
Nomad makes a multi device Qi charger. I love mine. Grovemade makes a great Qi charger too.
https://grovemade.com/product/wireless-charging-pad-dark/?initial=423
I’ve tried several wireless charging solutions and unless I take my phone out of the case (Apple folio), none have fully charged my phone overnight. I’ve returned them all as I don’t want to damage the case by removing the phone every day.
Please note that all AirPods that Apple are now selling would be the Gen 2 model. The options are whether one gets the standard case or the Qi charging case; the AirPods are the same regardless.
One does, however, need to be careful when buying from other vendors if they want the Gen 2 (i.e. with Hey Siri) AirPods with the standard case.
Appleinsider recommends (or merely lists?) two multi-device Qi chargers, in the $100-$150 range:
I figured it would come to this, looking for alternatives to get the desired result.
Good call, you’re totally correct 
I sort of expect IKEA to start blasting these types of products out in all their furniture options too
Edit: more than they already have, I mean.
I don’t know what’s more surprising: that Apple did this or that DigiTimes was wrong (sarcasm):
So this never ending story has come to an end… should encourage the Brits to solve their Brexit drama. Just blow it off, stay with us! 
end of politics
So what is the best wireless charging solution for holding AirPods and Apple Watch and potentially an iPhone 7 (if that even does wireless charging?)