Inside an Unofficial Third-Party Lightning Connector Production Facility

[MacRumors]

While the first official third-party accessories supporting Apple's new Lightning standard have just started hitting the market, MacRumors has also been following the efforts of unauthorized accessory manufacturers such as iPhone5mod who have been cracking the standard to produce their own chips and connectors.

iPhone5mod has already released a series of cables, docks, and adapters based on the Lightning standard as they continue refining their processes, and the company today announced its third-generation Lightning connector that is "almost identical" to Apple's implementation.

Furthermore, iPhone5mod has posted an inside look at its new production facilities, which are three times larger than its previous facilities and now support as many as 40 workers alongside increased automation. A video overview of the facility and a series of photos provide an interesting glimpse at what goes into production of these cables and other accessories.

Apple is keeping tight control over official Lightning connectors, and we've heard that supplies are currently limited to just a handful of third-party vendors with many others having to wait until next year to receive access to the connector hardware. Those tight supplies and Apple's relatively slow progress on its own and third-party accessories have left it open to companies such as iPhone5mod seeking to meet customer demand.

Article Link: Inside an Unofficial Third-Party Lightning Connector Production Facility

[rtdunham]

It's the third generation and the product is "almost" identical? I'd be uneasy with either of the earlier versions and probably even with this one.

[bostonsox]

Anyone tried this yet? I mean Gen 1 and/or 2.

[TouchMint.com]

Nice no more paying $20 for one!

[WildCowboy]

I've tried most of their stuff and it works fine so far.

[Lucky736]

Edited. Found the answer.

[sashakla]

what's written on the inside of that box?

[Quu]

I'm not willing to use these things on my iPhone 5. I'd rather use the authorized stuff that I know is safe and won't burn up my iPhone or something.

These connectors may work when they test them but they haven't had time to test them over a long period of time and with the rapid revisions (Already 3rd generation after just two months?) this company doesn't fill me with confidence.

I do badly want a dock but I think I'll get an elevation dock with the cable passthrough.

[kbmb]

Originally Posted by sashakla

what's written on the inside of that box?

Image

Looks like KFC's secret recipe? Or maybe the failed formula for New Coke?



-Kevin

[Macman45]

Originally Posted by rtdunham

It's the third generation and the product is "almost" identical? I'd be uneasy with either of the earlier versions and probably even with this one.

I've never trusted the "Unofficial" cables and docks...I think products by Belkin and the other appointed manufacturers are the best way to avoid issues with Apple stuff.

[rtdunham]

Originally Posted by WildCowboy

I've tried most of their stuff and it works fine so far.

I wonder, thenn, what they changed from generation to generation? I got the sense they were discovering details requiring mods to the product. That would imply that something was missing from the earlier ones, or so it would seem.

[pablo7]

Take that Apple.

[Fazer100]

Got to say i have heard a few scary stories where friends have bought 3rd party connectors lighting and old and the connectors worked but build quality was poor, 2 people i know had the connectors damage the iPhone and ended up not working at all. I'll stick to first party, yes its expensive but at least they always work and im covered should anything go wrong in the future (hopefully never)

[MrXiro]

Originally Posted by Fazer100

Got to say i have heard a few scary stories where friends have bought 3rd party connectors lighting and old and the connectors worked but build quality was poor, 2 people i know had the connectors damage the iPhone and ended up not working at all. I'll stick to first party, yes its expensive but at least they always work and im covered should anything go wrong in the future (hopefully never)

I love my 3rd party charge and line out cable made for the 30 pin. Looking forward for one being made for Lightning. My current solution is a 30 dollar adapter on a 2 dollar cable...

[NightFox]

With all the unicorn rainbow dust mixed into Apple's official ones, is there any danger of Apple just disabling all these 3rd party unlicensed connectors with a simple iOS firmware upgrade? Do we know if the pin allocation on the actual socket is fixed, or is it controlled by the firmware?

[dugbug]

Would love to see them tackle video out as well

[rpchan]

Originally Posted by sashakla

what's written on the inside of that box?

Image

Looks like someone keep tally of (mayhaps) the connector pieces in the box...

simple addition at one point there was 11,700 of something.

[Radio]

I'm still not over that apple calls this connector lightning.

It's completely cheesy. Frankly I'm embarrassed to say lighting.

It's silly.

It's not fast.

There is nothing lighting about it!

[smellalot]

OMG, I wonder what those two green buttons on that machine are for

This is China the way I imagine it!

[bdkennedy1]

That picture of the woman with a soldering iron is why I will not buy any knock offs.

[apfeljonas]

Originally Posted by bdkennedy1

That picture of the woman with a soldering iron is why I will not buy any knock offs.

Because the official ones don't require soldering irons?

[Sneakz]

I got two lightning cables from DealExtreme that work just fine and cost me only $15 compared to $21 in Canada for just one. So yeah, I support these guys.

[macse30]

Imagine a 12-hour shift on that last machine pressing two parts together once per second. /shudder

[wrkactjob]

I notice some of the workers in the noisy factory were not wearing ear defenders?

[SmileyBlast!]

More products for consumers to choose from is always good.