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Apple Keeping Tight Control Over Lightning Connector, Requiring Approval of Third-Party Factories
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Give us the DAMN 30 pin adapter!
Man, am I glad I bought a 4S instead!
I don't have to put up with this BS.
It's really not nice of apple to have not included the adapter with the phone.
It's just downright stingy.
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Well aren't you the shrewd one. Instead of buying a simple accessory to hook up your iPhone, you bought a whole new stereo. Makes sense to me.
Do you know of an accessory to connect an iPhone to a very basic stock car stereo? Because I sure don't. Definitely not one that allows me to choose songs, playlists, etc via my stereo interface. It also allows me to let passengers who don't have iPhones to connect their phone/mp3 player to the stereo.
Edited: Also, you didn't really address my point, you just tried to knock me for dropping $200 on an after-market car audio deck—something a lot of people do.
Guess the Man upstairs is rewarding me for being a loyal Apple fan since 1983...
What about the rest of us?
I bought a couple of Newtons (of which I still have). i should be treated like a VIP.
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Actually I did
(in case it hasn't been mentioned several times already
) you could have just put on an extension at the USB endsample: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-USB-Extension-Cable-10-Feet/dp/B00001ZWXA
.
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But what will this mean for 3rd party dock manufactures, the old dock is found in 1000s of devices and the adapter won't work in many of them. With the millions of iPhone's sold with the new connector (not to mention the new iPod's and the forthcoming mini iPad) People want docks for all these devices to replace the old ones and what better time to buy them then they Christmas season?
Why buy an extension if I have spools of USB cable already?
Because that cable you spliced together is really ugly.
More sophisticated for what purpose though other than to sync the device and charge it?
Personally this is Apple being Apple and just appears to be about making more money.
Try doing your research first. It would not fit the iPhone 5. iFixit specifically said that there was no room for the old connector in the new phone and that it was obvious they needed a smaller connector to make everything fit correctly.
So to all the stupid people who think Lightning was developed simply as a cash grab for Apple, which cable does Apple currently have a higher profit margin on, their $19 30-pin dock connector to USB cable or their new $19 Lightning to USB cable? What cost Apple more, continuing to ship the same connector they've been using for 9 years, or designing and engineering an entirely new connector that will serve their customer's needs for years to come?
To all the whiners who bought a device with this new interface within days of its initial release, knowing full well that no third-party accessories were yet announced that supported it, what did you really expect? The September release of the iDevices with Lightning ports was coordinated so that third-party OEM's in the MFi program can ship accessories by the end of November for the holiday season. CTFO.
To those who think Apple failed by not making the 30-pin dock connector adapters more widely available at launch, have you considered that maybe they don't want you to adapt your old accessories? How many accessories that cost more than say $49 do you have that can only connect to iDevices via 30-pin connector, and have no support for USB, analog audio, Bluetooth, WiFi or AirPlay? I have a Bose SoundDock from 2004 that I can no longer use for charging, but even that I can stream to wirelessly using an A2DP receiver that I happen to have. I'm more of the impression that Apple is avoiding overselling the adapters because A) the third party accessory manufacturers want a chance to sell you new Lightning based accessories, and B) Apple wants people to use the interfaces that their new devices actually provide. Seriously, how many people have a car stereo that has a 30 pin dock connection, but not USB, analog audio line-in or A2DP? Pretty sure you can get by with those for a few weeks at least. And BTW, all the iDevices you already own still work fine with the 30-pin dock accessories that you bought for them, so what's the beef? What actually is annoying is that Apple makes it so challenging for folks in the US to buy the Lightning to USB Micro B adapters (MD820ZM/A) that are available in the EU.
To those who need more than 3 charging cables in their life, are you serious? My laptop doesn't last nearly as long on a single charge as my iPhone does, but that didn't cause me to buy 3 power adapters at $79 apiece and then complain that Apple was out to rob me. I bought an iPhone 5 last night (in stock, no lines, no reservation in my market) and one extra Lightning to USB cable (also very available in my market) so I can charge and plug into the stereo in my car. $20 for a little bit of added convenience for me? Just fine. The $36 upgrade fee that AT&T charged me for kindly obliterating my old visual voicemail box? That's the kind of BS cash grab that people SHOULD be complaining about.
To those who ask why not ship it with Micro USB, why not just ship it with Jelly Bean as well? Apple goes proprietary when they feel they can do a better job of solving a problem. The Lightning connector is exactly one of those cases. For those that haven't figured it out yet, Micro USB can only be used for HD digital video output through the use of technologies such as MHL, which require licensing for every port shipped, adapters that generally need external power sources, and connectors that are twice as large or proprietary to support SuperSpeed USB or USB while outputting video. The Micro USB connector is a pain in the A in low light conditions, if you are visually impaired or have any motor control difficulties. Also, the Micro USB connector cannot safely carry enough current to charge a tablet battery in any reasonable amount of time. There are drawbacks to Micro USBreal ones. Do you think most devices will still be using the 5-pin USB 2.0 Micro AB connector in 5 years time? Anyone remember USB Mini B connections?
Apple makes amazing products that redefine or straight up create their categories. They sell millions of them and create a healthy ecosystem for aftermarket accessories and apps. Apple's release of the iPhone 5 will have a measurable impact on the growth of the US GDP for the 4th quarter. Apple is not the only one benefitting here, and I'm not sure how people reckon that making a better product and being successful selling it translates into corporate greed that should cause the customer base to revolt.
To all the whiners who bought a device with this new interface within days of its initial release, knowing full well that no third-party accessories were yet announced that supported it, what did you really expect? The September release of the iDevices with Lightning ports was coordinated so that third-party OEM's in the MFi program can ship accessories by the end of November for the holiday season. CTFO.
To those who think Apple failed by not making the 30-pin dock connector adapters more widely available at launch, have you considered that maybe they don't want you to adapt your old accessories? How many accessories that cost more than say $49 do you have that can only connect to iDevices via 30-pin connector, and have no support for USB, analog audio, Bluetooth, WiFi or AirPlay? I have a Bose SoundDock from 2004 that I can no longer use for charging, but even that I can stream to wirelessly using an A2DP receiver that I happen to have. I'm more of the impression that Apple is avoiding overselling the adapters because A) the third party accessory manufacturers want a chance to sell you new Lightning based accessories, and B) Apple wants people to use the interfaces that their new devices actually provide. Seriously, how many people have a car stereo that has a 30 pin dock connection, but not USB, analog audio line-in or A2DP? Pretty sure you can get by with those for a few weeks at least. And BTW, all the iDevices you already own still work fine with the 30-pin dock accessories that you bought for them, so what's the beef? What actually is annoying is that Apple makes it so challenging for folks in the US to buy the Lightning to USB Micro B adapters (MD820ZM/A) that are available in the EU.
To those who need more than 3 charging cables in their life, are you serious? My laptop doesn't last nearly as long on a single charge as my iPhone does, but that didn't cause me to buy 3 power adapters at $79 apiece and then complain that Apple was out to rob me. I bought an iPhone 5 last night (in stock, no lines, no reservation in my market) and one extra Lightning to USB cable (also very available in my market) so I can charge and plug into the stereo in my car. $20 for a little bit of added convenience for me? Just fine. The $36 upgrade fee that AT&T charged me for kindly obliterating my old visual voicemail box? That's the kind of BS cash grab that people SHOULD be complaining about.
To those who ask why not ship it with Micro USB, why not just ship it with Jelly Bean as well? Apple goes proprietary when they feel they can do a better job of solving a problem. The Lightning connector is exactly one of those cases. For those that haven't figured it out yet, Micro USB can only be used for HD digital video output through the use of technologies such as MHL, which require licensing for every port shipped, adapters that generally need external power sources, and connectors that are twice as large or proprietary to support SuperSpeed USB or USB while outputting video. The Micro USB connector is a pain in the A in low light conditions, if you are visually impaired or have any motor control difficulties. Also, the Micro USB connector cannot safely carry enough current to charge a tablet battery in any reasonable amount of time. There are drawbacks to Micro USBreal ones. Do you think most devices will still be using the 5-pin USB 2.0 Micro AB connector in 5 years time? Anyone remember USB Mini B connections?
Apple makes amazing products that redefine or straight up create their categories. They sell millions of them and create a healthy ecosystem for aftermarket accessories and apps. Apple's release of the iPhone 5 will have a measurable impact on the growth of the US GDP for the 4th quarter. Apple is not the only one benefitting here, and I'm not sure how people reckon that making a better product and being successful selling it translates into corporate greed that should cause the customer base to revolt.
BAD!!
Apple should have introduced 3ed parties to the new connector a few days before Sept 12th!
It pisses both consumers and accessory developers off.
Very likely impacts iPhone 5 sales by not having items on shelf sooner.
Apple should have introduced 3ed parties to the new connector a few days before Sept 12th!
It pisses both consumers and accessory developers off.
Very likely impacts iPhone 5 sales by not having items on shelf sooner.
months, not days
To have products ready for the announcement, the 3rd parties would have needed to have been in the loop at least a month before the announcement.
Apple's customers suffer due to Apple's secretive nature.
To have products ready for the announcement, the 3rd parties would have needed to have been in the loop at least a month before the announcement.
Apple's customers suffer due to Apple's secretive nature.
What was your point? That I should go out and buy a new car stereo because I can't hook up my iPhone to my existing one via USB? I have a $29 adaptor coming to me sometime this month that tells me I shouldn't have to.
So many truths in here but you are fighting an uphill battle. Sense of entitlement is ridiculous in this forum. My favorite is people's expectation of a daily use (wear and tear) product to in pristine condition forever. Yes I agree the quality control have been bad for iPhone 5 but people whining that the product scratches or wears off too easily is silly. Put a case on it or shut up. You use it daily? What do you want? An iphone made out of diamonds?
Another slap to the consumer's face by Apple. And the Apple fans keep taking it and loving it.
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I hope in the past 142 replies that at least one person noted how dumb this is.
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Actually I did
I hope in the past 142 replies that at least one person noted how dumb this is.
Given that the wait is 3-4 weeks for an iPhone 5, I don't think this impacts iPhone 5 sales much right now.
Apple's customers are deeply pained by these actions, no doubt. An utter travesty really. I bet most will have perished from shame and hardship before accessories for their new devices are available.
I'm sure none of this is any reflection whatsoever on the tendency of third party accessory manufacturers to blab any details shared with them before a major product launch with internet rumor sites. I mean, the source for the original post here is clearly forthcoming, reliable and was in no way discouraged from discussing these matters due to any NDA's that might have been in place. If anything, Apple's customers suffer from the inability of some licensees to stop disclosing confidential information on the internet.
Anyway, the fact of the matter is that the majority of the smartphones on the market right now run platforms more open than iOS, support Micro USB charging, have plenty of available accessories, and cost less than the iPhone 5. If those are your priorities, the market has you more than covered. If you want whatever perceived benefits there are to owning the latest iPhone and doing things the Apple way, that's entirely your own choice. At least we have options.
The 30-pin connector is really big, clumsy and dust collecting.
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It's more like impacting the sales of these 3rd party accessories than the iPhone 5.
Honestly? The only accessory I actually have for ipods/iphone, the mod we did to my car's radio that lets me control my ipod or iphone (though the iphone always bitches it's not designed for it but works anyways, we'll see with the adaptor if the iphone 5 will)'s music through it and also let me play my GPS app's instructions through it as well. I know it doesn't have a USB connection into the mod unit (it works like pretending it's an external 5 CD changer connection that my car's radio does support) and I don't know if they'll update it to have a lightning adaptor (it's for a 2003 car which is almost 10 years old at this point, I really doubt it. I am not even sure they'll make a new mod for it).
I'm not even sure the adaptor will let me still control the music through my car's radio even.
So, yeah, some of us really do need the adaptors (or maybe even be totally not able to use the accessory and not have a new one to replace it either).
Your case is a totally legitimate one for the 30-pin adaptor. The cost or difficulty of replacing your head unit, existing adaptor, or car are all significantly greater than just buying a $29 adaptor.
I get the impression on these forums that there are people out there that feel the need to buy one adaptor for every 30-pin device they own, including charging cables. This seems to be making it harder in certain markets for those with legitimate need to get their hands on one.
Then again, for the few that are in your situation and already have an iPhone 5 or new iPod but still can't track down the adaptor, you might have to rough it for a couple weeks and get by with your old 30-pin iDevices or CD's (whatever those are) until the initial pressure on supply eases up a bit.