Mophie parent company Zagg at CES told Bloomberg that it is attempting to pull off what Apple couldn’t, as it is working on a charging mat that would have the abilities of Apple’s now-canceled AirPower.
The charging mat will charge iPhones, AirPods wireless charging cases, and other wireless charging-capable devices and accessories, no matter where they are placed on the charging mat, a feature that Apple was unable to get to work with its AirPower charging mat, seen above.
For now, we don’t know if the Zagg mat will be able to charge the Apple Watch, or if it will be limited to Qi-based wireless charging. Apple’s AirPower was designed to charge AirPods, iPhones, and the Apple Watch, but the Cupertino firm ran into issues with the overlapping charging coils that were necessary for the scheme to work.
While there are currently chargers available that can simultaneously charge the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch, each device must sit on a specific spot on the charger. Zagg’s solution is said not to have that limitation.
Zagg plans to make its attempt under the Mophie brand later this year, marketing executive Brad Bell told Bloomberg. The mobile accessory maker is pitching the charging device to retailers at the conference this week and is gathering feedback, he added.
The company is also working on long-distance charging that would allow the charging of devices from several feet away, but that charging technology is still “many years away.”
