Apple Upgrading MacBook Pro With Advanced Charging Points For iDevices

A new patent reveals Apple's plans to upgrade future MacBook Pro models with the ability to charge other iDevices simultaneously.

The International Business Times previously reported about Apple's upcoming wireless charging technology that will be embedded in a number of electronic devices, including the MacBook, iPhone and iPad. And though the company scrapped its ambitious AirPower charging mat, its work on reverse charging technology continues to this day and can be expected to continue in the future.

That said, a new patent granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reveals that Apple is hard at work in developing reverse wireless technologies that can be found embedded in future iterations of the MacBook Pro. The patent, first spotted by Patently Apple, features illustrations revealing how the future MacBook Pro model will be able to charge iDevices such as iPhones and Apple Watches.

The patent illustrations reveal that Apple plans to place several charging coils in different areas in the MacBook Pro's chassis. Some of these are located in the palm rest areas, and can be used to charge an iPhone on the left side and an Apple Watch on the right side. A charging coil on the touchpad will likely be used for the AirPods wireless charging case.

These illustrations indicate that, if Apple is successful in its plans, future MacBook Pros can be used to charge all three devices while the computer is in use. This has great implications, and is seen to benefit power users who also spend a lot of time on the road.

Other illustrations show that the MacBook Pro's lid can be fitted with even more charging coils – up to nine, to be exact. The coils on the lid will allow users to charge bigger iDevices that won't fit on the palm rest and touchpad, foremost of which is the iPad and iPad Pro.

Apple might have scrapped the AirPower alright, but it appears that the company is bent on releasing a wireless charging device that can act like the ambitious yet canceled project. By fitting future MacBook Pros with several charging coils to charge devices, Cupertino is doing more than what it intended to do with the AirPower.