We Built the Product Apple Gave Up On...

Overview

The subtitles describe a long, personal build of a DIY “desk-sized” wireless charging system inspired by Apple’s canceled product AirPower.

Key technological concepts / problem

• AirPower (2017 concept): Apple’s wireless charging pad was designed to charge a phone anywhere on the pad, rather than requiring precise placement (a common issue with round wireless chargers).
• Failure / delay: The builder notes that AirPower did not reach sale as expected and was eventually canceled in 2019.
• Core engineering idea:
  • Wireless charging works via a charging coil placed under or near the device.
  • To cover a large area with stationary coils would require hundreds of coils—the video estimates about 600 coils for a full desk—making it impractical and environmentally costly.

Main solution: moving-coil wireless charging

Instead of many stationary coils, the builder uses a single coil that travels across the desk to align with the phone.

Tracking + motion system

• A camera above the desk detects the phone’s position.
• The position is sent to motors, which move the charging coil beneath the phone.

Prototype issues (first attempt)

1. Motors too slow (though possibly sufficient relative to human perception).
2. Too many moving wires inside the desk, causing mess and risking snag/cable problems.
3. The desk itself was “too boring,” driving feature upgrades.

Iterations and mechanical improvements

Second build upgrade

• Motors were replaced to move the coil faster.
• Cable management was improved using a double-ended cable reel to handle moving wires while reducing tangling.

Noted alternative

• The builder mentions that a linear slide exists, which would be faster and avoid moving wires, implying the build could be simplified.

“AirPower for a desk” product features (UX + charging behavior)

Visual/interactive desk display

• The desk becomes a kind of interactive screen when a phone is placed on it.

“Charging cat” animation

• A moving coil “ferry/cat of light and power” effect runs under the phone.

Multi-device handling

• The builder claims one mobile coil can service multiple devices by quickly moving between them, creating a timing-based illusion that it’s “charging several at once.”
• Two fixed coils are placed in the corners as additional charging points.
• A receiver coil is added inside the keyboard so the keyboard can charge wirelessly too.

Charging flow

• When one device is full, the system seeks the next device to charge.
• When no devices remain, the coil returns under the keyboard.

Computer + additional “smart desk” features

• A Mac mini is built into the desk for a complete computer setup (including a supported monitor).

Three special screen/task features

1. Daily task tracking: At the start of the day, tasks can be set; as tasks are completed, dots light up.
2. Standing desk reminder: The camera checks if the user has been sitting for about an hour:
   • the desk lights up,
   • a reminder animation appears,
   • and a raise button lets the desk lift to a saved height.
3. Hydration reminder: Every hour, a cup is moved in front of the user to prompt drinking water.

Electromechanics mentioned

• An electromagnet under the coil is added to support the system behavior/positioning.

Focus mode and anti-phone-checking interaction

• A Focus Mode button appears when the phone is charging.
• Pressing it triggers a 25-minute timer under the phone.
• If the user picks up the phone before the timer ends, the desk will refuse to charge it when placed back—intended to reduce distraction.

Overall review/analysis takeaway

• The builder frames the project as a replacement for Apple’s AirPower, improving coverage by using position tracking + a moving coil rather than expensive multi-coil arrays.
• The main engineering tradeoffs discussed are:
  • Motor speed and mechanical reliability
  • Managing moving wires vs. cleaner linear motion hardware
  • Making convincing multi-device charging behavior through rapid switching

Main speakers / sources

• Main speaker: The video creator/builder, using first-person narration (“I built… I replaced… I added…”).
• Referenced external source: Apple—AirPower’s concept, expected launch, and cancellation in 2019.