Images purporting to reveal the original version of Apple's MagSafe charger today surfaced online, providing a look at how the company conceived of the accessory over two and a half years before its release.
The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show the original version of the MagSafe charger that Apple considered launching. The prototype has a production date of March 2017, a key period in the development of Apple's AirPower wireless charging mat. This version of MagSafe was apparently developed directly alongside AirPower.
The earlier version of MagSafe for iPhone features a rubberized outer shell that feels similar to the base of the HomePod, rounded edges, a different array of magnets with opposite magnetism, and a large Apple logo. It is apparently the same approximate size as the final version, but noticeably thinner. The design language distinctively harks back to an earlier period in Apple's history that more generously used white rubberized plastics and featured its logo more prominently.
Unreleased prototype of MagSafe Charger. It’s super rare yet interesting. Featured different design, magnetic placement, and materials used. Produced around Mar. 2017, which same the AirPower does. Project started over after its cancellation. Infos in last pic. #appleinternalpic.twitter.com/lxTQqhgk5s
— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) January 10, 2024
Following the cancelation of AirPower in March 2019, Apple apparently revisited this earlier MagSafe concept and rebooted the project. It ultimately launched with the design we know today alongside the iPhone 12 in October 2020, seeming to taking direct inspiration from the Apple Watch's charger with a thicker silver aluminum outer shell, flat sides, and no Apple logo.
The ultimately released version of MagSafe for iPhone (2020).
Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development.
Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag.
Timing
Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false.
The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
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Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476
The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick.
"We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote.
If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by Juli Clover
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices.
With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...
Literally cleaner, as the white rubbery one would have become dirty over time.
Not just dirtier but would slowly wear overtime due to friction and heat. We've seen the longterm damage Apple's old rubber accessories used to go through, especially the Mac's original magsafe. There's a reason for Magsafe 3 they went with woven cables instead of rubber.
I love the tactile feeling (even better if accompanied by the iOS chime) of the MagSafe charging disc when attaching to iPhone. It's also particularly nice to 'push' the disc off iPhone when a silicone MagSafe case is attached.
This kind of stuff that Apple do so well seems to be under appreciated.
Not just dirtier but would slowly wear overtime due to friction and heat. We've seen the longterm damage Apple's old rubber accessories used to go through, especially the Mac's original magsafe. There's a reason for Magsafe 3 they went with woven cables instead of rubber.
Apple switched to woven for all of their power adapter cables across the entire product line likely for this reason. Their old proprietary power adapters were notorious for failing. I think the I replaced the "UFO" power adapter on my old Pismo PowerBook G3 at least 3 times in the six years I had it. All of my MagSafe MacBooks had to have the power adapters replaced at least once, sometimes twice. To me the biggest win from Apple wasn't the return of MagSafe 3, it's the fact that the power cable between the brick and the laptop are now replaceable without discarding the whole charger.
I am really glad they didn't go with that rubber design. Having the puck be flat metal makes a lot more sense and a lot cleaner.
Literally cleaner, as the white rubbery one would have become dirty over time. [That said, I do like the ”vintage” feel of the prototype. I would be crazy about an iPhone mini in a version of the original iPhone’s body, with no MagSafe and no camera array.]
Apple switched to woven for all of their power adapter cables across the entire product line likely for this reason. Their old proprietary power adapters were notorious for failing. I think the I replaced the "UFO" power adapter on my old Pismo PowerBook G3 at least 3 times in the six years I had it. All of my MagSafe MacBooks had to have the power adapters replaced at least once, sometimes twice. To me the biggest win from Apple wasn't the return of MagSafe 3, it's the fact that the power cable between the brick and the laptop are now replaceable without discarding the whole charger.
That problem with the rubber sheathing, especially at the point when it entered the brick or similar object was so problematic. Why did it take Apple such a long time to switch out of that rubber sheathing? You see the issue also with Lightning cables at the Lightning end. Over time, it is possible for that rubber sheathing close to that tip to sort of bulge out, possible because of the rubber bending back and forth over time. Terrible.
And, we're not talking about cheap cables either! These cables, relative to other brands, are on the expensive range.
The ultimately released version of MagSafe for iPhone (2020).
