Wireless Charging from Apple

When Apple effectively scrubbed all mention of its Air-

Power wireless charging mat when it didn't show up a year

after its unveiling, that raised a question: would the wireless

charging case for AirPods meet a similar fate? Not

necessarily. Historically accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has

claimed that AirPods with wireless charging support should

arrive in the first quarter of 2019. He also suggested that there

would be more changes than you might expect. They'd update

to a newer Bluetooth spec (presumably Bluetooth 5.0),

possibly a new W-series chip, and would include design

changes like a more heat-resistant hinge.

The hinge and new internal components will be more expensive

to make, Kuo said, although he didn't say if that would raise the

prices. Notably, he also didn't mention the AirPower mat that

was originally meant to launch in tandem with the new AirPods.

This doesn't rule out its debut, but the technical issues that have

plagued AirPower could have the upgraded AirPods launching

by themselves.

You might have to wait for a more substantial AirPod update, too.

Kuo said there was an "all-new design" coming, but not until early

2020. He didn't offer clues. Past rumors have pointed to Apple

working on water-resistant AirPods that would launch in 2019 at

the earliest, but it's not certain if that's what Kuo is referencing.

Whatever happens, you might have to live with Apple's existing

audio candy canes for a while longer.