Apple Introduces New iPhone Dock With Lightning Connector for $39

[Digital Skunk]

This is why I like Apple Design. Image

No. This is why you really need to read the specs.

That's one of three docks that Samsung sells, the most expensive in fact, that turns your phone into a full desktop complete with BT keyboard and mouse.

The older one had white and black variations of this:


The newer one looks like this:


And both of them are just docks, much like the Apple one. Not much to really look for design wise.

 

[lewismayell]

How is it three years? There was one for the 5, 5s and 5c, it's only 9 months late for the 6

 

[MasterRyu2011]

never would i buy a dock like that with no back support. Terrible design. Was this done by an intern?

 

[willmtaylor]

Better late than never I suppose. Hopefully they'll come out with a iPhone,apple watch combo (I know there are others,but I'd like to see one made by apple)

Yay finally!

This would have been nice 3 years ago. The lightning connector looks like it will break off if the phone is knocked into accidentally.

I'm still waiting for the perfect watch/iPhone dock combo.

Finally. I bought a Belkin dock that stopped working because it was not MFI certified, and Apple pushed an update that broke it. I'd pay $39 if someone could guarantee me it would work forever. There's an odd shortage of MFI lightning docks.

Just gotta wait 3 years and it will come.

This has been available since November of 2010:

http://9to5mac.com/2013/09/10/apple-gets-back-in-the-iphone-dock-game-with-5c-and-5s-docks/

Where have you guys been?

 

[Locoboof]

Where have you guys been?



http://9to5mac.com/2013/09/10/apple-gets-back-in-the-iphone-dock-game-with-5c-and-5s-docks/

Huh? I clearly said "a apple watch,iPhone COMBO... Meaning both devices at the same time. And as far as I know,apple doesn't make a dock for the watch. So the question is,where have YOU been?

 

[andreyirra]

Other firms have been making these for a few years now, starting at about $5.

No other firm have been making a dock with a DAC included.

There are a few cheap solutions for audio out like the ones from China where you have to insert the iphone in a lightning port and a 3.5 mm plug at the same time every single time. That's NOT audio line-out.

I happen to have bought one for my iPhone 5 because Apple couldn't dignify it with a dock until the iPhone 5s. The plastic is incredibly CHEAP and thin with no weight at all. It feels like an imitation toy from China, which it is.

Then I bought the iPhone 5s dock: DAC included, considerable weight, proper construction, feels solid and it's made of quality plastic. You get what you pay for.

This price is simply undefendable.

Also, nearing 3 years on the calendar after Lightning's debut.

Ouch...
I admire their self-confidence though and the unquestioning part of their herd.

Glassed Silver:ios

3 years since lightning debut? So what? There was an iPhone 5s dock and a iPhone 5C dock that also worked with 5th gen iPod Touch, so I don't get it. This is NOT THE FIRST official dock since the lightning debut.

Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong, but is this the only lightning accessory to allow line-out audio straight from the lightning connector? I could've sworn that the lightning connector didn't (at the time, at least) support audio out. I've repeatedly looked for a car audio solution for my (then) iPhone 5, and now my iPhone 6, but I never found a way to charge + play with one cable.

If that's the case, what the hell, Apple??!

There was a solution. The official 30 pin to lightning adapter supported audio out.... over a 30 pin cable so you had to plug the iPhone to the adapter, the adapter to the normal 30 pin cable and the cable to the usb port in your stereo. That is if you wanted a digital connection.

If you wanted a digital to analog connection you just had to substitute the normal 30 pin cable for one that is 30 pin on one side and either a 3.5mm on the other or a combo of a 3.5 mm and a usb end for charging.

 

[RenoG]

If people stopped buying stuff like this Apple would get the hint. But you can't blame Apple pricing this stuff high if people want to pay the high prices.

This^^ just don't buy the crap goodness.

This is such a failed and overpriced product, but I'm going to get one anyway...... Are you serious right now!!!

 

[andreyirra]

Just noticed that the official page doesn't included the 7 gen iPod nano in the list of official supported devices. Any thoughts?

 

[sracer]

This^^ just don't buy the crap goodness.

This is such a failed and overpriced product, but I'm going to get one anyway...... Are you serious right now!!!

The award for the most overpriced Apple product goes to:

 

[willmtaylor]

Huh? I clearly said "a apple watch,iPhone COMBO... Meaning both devices at the same time. And as far as I know,apple doesn't make a dock for the watch. So the question is,where have YOU been?

You clearly said "better late than never" as well, implying that one had not been made or available until now. I stand correct.

 

[Locoboof]

Apple Introduces New iPhone Dock With Lightning Connector for $39

You clearly said "better late than never" as well, implying that one had not been made or available until now. I stand correct.

Better late than never.. For a iPhone 6 dock. And the combo for a apple watch/iPhone 6 combo stand. The original picture you sent was for a 5 and 5S iPhone

 

[bluespark]

Except that a 5 dollar dock would never contain a DAC required to provide the audio out. I have been looking for Lightning docking stations with audio out that use the Lightning connector for audio (and not just an extra 3.6 mm jack as that is a royal pain) and eventually had to give up.

It looks like Apple will have at least three sales to to replace my previous shoddy attempts at creating this functionality.

Exactly. This is real tech, not just a charging/syncing pass-through.

 

[ron7624]

I like this. I hope the phone is sturdy ennough-

 

[schopaia]

People always ignore the great benefit of Apple's docks -- they include a line-level output. That port allows for a much higher quality connection to an audio system than simply using the device's headphone port.

"much higher"? source?

 

[WhizGeezer]

Big time screwup?

The new iPhone dock is available day one in Canada (Toronto)

However there is apparently a problem.
"This accessory may not be supported."
This with an iPhone 6 on an iPhone 6 dock with official Apple charger and cable.
My phone has been sitting at 50% charge for the last half hour so it seems the "may" should be replaced with "is."

LOLOLOL

 

[ellsworth]

I guess we cant really say that this design was rushed into production.... but yes, a back appears to be missing.

 

[meistervu]

About the lack of back support

It doesn't take a genius to design dock with a back support. Since Apple chose not to do it, I suspect that they know the lighting connector on the iPhone is strong enough.

Here are the possibilities:

A. Apple, despite having billions of dollars, could not come up with a design with a back support.

B. They completely forgot the back support issue.

C. They have so much money that they want people to break their phones and sue them.

D. No back support needed.

What do you think?

 

[dumastudetto]

So far all the reviews I've read about this device have been wholly positive. The connector will not break. There is more than adequate support to hold the weight of your device. And the device is not using cheap flimsy plastic - it's high-premium. The look and feel of this device is top quality. If you want a dock connector, this is the one to buy.

 

[Pupi]

I'd buy this dock and then double tape it to the surface for extra stability. Maybe some 3M strong adhesive.

 

[ron7624]

It doesn't take a genius to design dock with a back support. Since Apple chose not to do it, I suspect that they know the lighting connector on the iPhone is strong enough.

Here are the possibilities:

A. Apple, despite having billions of dollars, could not come up with a design with a back support.

B. They completely forgot the back support issue.

C. They have so much money that they want people to break their phones and sue them.

D. No back support needed.

What do you think?

I hate multiple choice tests. I just dont think like the mainstream. Uh.. I give up.

 

[Gaspode67]

It doesn't take a genius to design dock with a back support. Since Apple chose not to do it, I suspect that they know the lighting connector on the iPhone is strong enough.

Here are the possibilities:

A. Apple, despite having billions of dollars, could not come up with a design with a back support.

B. They completely forgot the back support issue.

C. They have so much money that they want people to break their phones and sue them.

D. No back support needed.

What do you think?

You forgot E. Apple decide to put form over function, style over substance, and make something that they think *looks* pretty, but has some basic flaws in it (c.f. moving the SD Card reader from the side to the rear of the iMac, making it much harder to use in real life scenarios).

So far all the reviews I've read about this device have been wholly positive. The connector will not break. There is more than adequate support to hold the weight of your device. And the device is not using cheap flimsy plastic - it's high-premium. The look and feel of this device is top quality. If you want a dock connector, this is the one to buy.

Morning, Tim

 

[iConnected]

I wouldn't bet on Lightning for long term, maybe 2 or 3 years from now Apple would move on with USB C for both Mac and iOS devices.

Why would Apple need to change the lightning connector to use USB-C? Two different ends of the cable.

Curious how BaldiMac's voice of reason seems to have been conveniently ignored!

 

[Ed217]

No other firm have been making a dock with a DAC included.

DAC is a feature I use rarely, if at all. I've been Airplay based for some years for audio.

I bought the first Apple dock and cast it aside after a few days. Wasn't stable and safe for phone. Lacked back support.

For the devices that I use vertical, I have small S shaped metal stands I got on Ebay for a few $ each. One for an iPad Mini and one for an older iPhone 4. The 3GS lies on its back at the back of my desk and the 6 and iPad flat at desk edge with normal sync cables. I have additional connected sync lightning cables ready to go for other devices that come and go from time to time.

My focus has been stable mounts with charge and sync that work well for 8-10 hours of use per day.

 

[burgman]

So lets summarize:

Apple Dock
- no cable included
- no charger included
- no remote control
- no back support for the iPhone

Did I miss anything?

How much did previous docks cost?
Do the phone docks at Apple stores have back support? They must be used much more than a customer would.
What remote works with any IOS product besides Apple TV?
Do you own a IOS device?

 

[sracer]

You forgot E. Apple decide to put form over function, style over substance, and make something that they think *looks* pretty, but has some basic flaws in it (c.f. moving the SD Card reader from the side to the rear of the iMac, making it much harder to use in real life scenarios).

Sometimes I wonder if Apple has gotten to the point where they are so financially profitable that they can afford to occasionally put products out as nothing more than a psychological test... to see what they can get away with and gauge how loyal their customers are.

cue the viral video of the interview with the engineer of the new Macbook...