We almost missed one of Apple’s most exciting upgrades from yesterday’s event

First introduced in 2006, the MacBook’s MagSafe charger “died” a decade later when Apple replaced the magnetic connector with USB-C in 2016. MagSafe was a brilliant piece of technology that MacBook buyers quickly came to appreciate — and a rare Apple innovation that competitors didn’t rush to copy. The MagSafe charger’s primary purpose is to recharge the battery and provide the power the laptop needs to deliver all those sophisticated features. But trip on that MagSafe cable once, and you’ll discover the best thing about it. The built-in magnets are just strong enough to keep the connector in place, but they won’t pull the entire notebook off the desk if someone trips on that wire.

After nearly four years, Apple added MagSafe functionality back, but this time to the iPhone. By placing magnets on the back of the iPhone 12, Apple enabled a whole new range of accessories. Soon after that, reports came out saying that the MagSafe will make a triumphant return to the MacBook Air and Pro this year, thanks to a significant design makeover that will also bring changes to the types of ports available on Apple’s laptops. But those MacBook updates are likely several months away. As it turns out, however, Apple just brought MagSafe charging back to the Mac at yesterday's big Spring Loaded event — and everyone nearly missed it.