Engineers are said to be dealing with various technical issues, such as ensuring the AirPower doesn't overheat. Other complications include cramming in multiple charging sensors, which may have to overlap, and finalizing the firmware for the custom Apple chip responsible for power management and device pairing. In short, the AirPower hasn't been as simple to manufacture as perhaps first thought, though it is in testing according to one source.

Apple never specified a release date, possibly because as Bloomberg notes, both the AirPods and HomePod speaker went on sale several months later than originally announced. Launching the AirPower slightly later than originally hoped might not be a very big deal for Apple, however. According to sources, the mat is part of a bigger strategy of doing away with the Lightning port much like the 3.5mm headphone jack. It's said this was even considered during the development of the iPhone X.