Apple should redouble its efforts on Macs with built-in AirPower capabilities

Now that Apple has officially canned the AirPower wireless charger, maybe it’s time to double down on technology the tech giant introduced in a patent (number 20180212455) introduced last year. Dubbed “inductive charging between electronic devices,” it would allow one Apple device to charge another.

More specifically, it would allow the trackpad on a Mac laptop — or perhaps a super-sized Magic Trackpad for desktops — to double as wireless chargers. In the patent filing, Apple notes that some electronic devices include one or more rechargeable batteries that may require external power to recharge. Often, these devices may be charged using a common or standardized electrical connector or cable. For example, some devices may be charged using a universal serial bus (“USB”) connector or cable. 

However, despite having standardized connectors and cable, each device may require a separate or dedicated power supply to charge. Apple says that, in many cases, having separate power supplies for each device may be burdensome to use, store, and/or transport. The tech giant thinks that one solution would be, for example, a Mac laptop with a built-in charging pad on which you could place your iPhone for re-juicing. And I can envision an iMac with such a charging pad built into its stand.

Admittedly, since Apple obviously ran into technical problems with its AirPower project, I don’t know how practical this idea is, but, if implemented, it would have a “halo effect” on Mac sales for users of iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.

Or how about an “iDesk”? More on that idea Friday.