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Apple Proposes New Multifunction Input Ports, Could Merge SD Card Slot and USB Port

RightMACatU said:
Cool... now Apple will be able to sell a new proprietary USD cable for only $49.99.

Forget SD cards, make it microSD :cool:
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It can't be full-sized SD unless they make the USB port wider. This is unfortunate because MicroSD sucks, but I have occasionally needed it.
 
It's just a way to make more money on accessories. You would think technology drives the designs to be more of an "all in one" but no, apple makes products thinner, lighter, and basically nothing can be built in anymore. We'll have all these nasty wires and accessories attached to the main device like some frankenstein project.
 
Mattstkc said:
hate to burst everyone's bubble, but it exists - http://www.amazon.com/elago-Mobile-microSDHC-Memory-Reader/dp/B002HGFKR8

putting an SD card reader in a female USB shouldn't count as a new invention, since it already exists to put an SD card into a tiny slot that also houses a USB port, albeit the male end.
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That's pretty interesting. Thanks for the link. If I ever need a MicroSD card reader, I'll buy that. If Apple patents this, it's going to need to be a really specific patent for their exact design of the port because clearly, this is not a new concept.

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Anti-Lucifer said:
It's just a way to make more money on accessories. You would think technology drives the designs to be more of an "all in one" but no, apple makes products thinner, lighter, and basically nothing can be built in anymore. We'll have all these nasty wires and accessories attached to the main device like some frankenstein project.
Click to expand...

Please explain how making a USB port accept a MicroSD card creates a need or even a possible justification for more accessories. A few people here have been saying that, and it doesn't make sense.
 
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Anti-Lucifer said:
It's just a way to make more money on accessories. You would think technology drives the designs to be more of an "all in one" but no, apple makes products thinner, lighter, and basically nothing can be built in anymore. We'll have all these nasty wires and accessories attached to the main device like some frankenstein project.
Click to expand...
That doesn't make any sense; if you have an 11" Macbook Air already then how will you access a Micro SD card? You need an adapter, which will presumably use up a USB port. If Apple adds this dual purpose port then you can either continue using that adapter if you prefer it, or you can ditch it and plug the card in directly, or if you didn't have an adapter you can suddenly use Micro SD cards with your laptop where you couldn't do-so before.

Also it's worth considering that there's also the possibility of gaining ports, as machines that current have an SD slot could swap for a hybrid port instead, so for those not using SD cards you gain an extra USB3 port instead.

Regular SD is probably still best for now, but Micro SD is also very common in mobile phones, though you can easily get a Micro SD to SD adapter (my Micro SD card came with one) so it's not a huge issue.
 
euvix said:
Honestly, I don't see much point in this unless you could use them at the same time (which seems improbable). There's not really a problem with dedicated ports, why try to fix it?
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Well, lets say there was enough room for 4 ports. Traditionally, you have to choose which ports do what. So You can have say 3 USB and 1 Thunderbolt, or 2 USB, 1 TB, and 1 FireWire. This way however you could have 2 USB and / or SD, 1 TB, and 1 FireWire.

The originally idea behind Thunderbolt BTW, is to only have one type of superfast connector both in and out of the computer, eliminating the myriad of different cables, standards, etc...
 
donutbagel said:
If Apple patents this, it's going to need to be a really specific patent for their exact design of the port because clearly, this is not a new concept.
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Uhm, Apple DID patent this; that's what the this discussion is all about.

It is in fact a patent for a specific implementation of two industry connection standards into a single PCB edge connector design while reducing the PCB mounting requirements from two connectors to one, reducing a housing cutout, and overall simplifying manufacturing. You may think it trivial, but this is exactly what little "i" innovation is about everyday in engineering and manufacturing.

Sweating the small stuff.
 
Personally... Apple should not have been granted this patent. The US patent office has its head up its butt on many counts. And not just Apple. And I like Apple's stuff (me and my MacPro, Mini, Touch, Pad, et all).

However the way this looks like its laid out seems really stupid for "consumer" focused devices. I still have co-workers who can't plug in a damn USB2.0 correctly or even in the right damn port (the number of USB plugs I've seen jammed into Ethernet ports). Adding even more space to the USB port AND adding SD wiring to boot is just asking for **** to get broken.

Dumb **** idea for a full sized SD cards.
 
If this makes it into production Apple wont go with 'combined input port'.

I am guessing they go with something like: mystic or twister port. ;)
 
I have zero use for an SD slot but if it forces the usb ports to be spaced out more so I can use more than one thumb drive at a time, I'd love it!
 
wow, that looks great. way to go apple. apple is always leading innovation, they are always at the front of the line. i hope to see this soon.
 
laurim said:
I have zero use for an SD slot but if it forces the usb ports to be spaced out more so I can use more than one thumb drive at a time, I'd love it!
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CTM, that would be great. I can't say I've had this problem on the new MacBooks, but on my 2006 MacBook, it's REALLY annoying.
 
I'm shocked apple hasn't created and used proprietary ports on all their devices that require apple adapters to get USB, TB, DP, SD Card, etc.

Basically without the adapter, you couldn't plug in anything.
 
Count Blah said:
Not possible. No way would Apple allow a user to increase storage on an iDevice on their own.
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it's not about that - photos are becoming increasingly a big deal - iPhoto and Aperture are huge money makers. It's about getting the more commonly used SD and HCSD card reader into the Mac line without adding another stupid port.
 
dpfenninger said:
Call me crazy, but do that many people still really use SD cards? For a company that has a history of removing 'legacy technology' from products (floppy drives, optical drives, Firewire, ethernet), it doesn't seem like them to create a new connector that incorporates SD.

I'm sure all the photography folks on here will disagree with me, but I'm just curious to see how many average users use them.
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Exactly this.

The only thing I use SD cards for these days is my Raspberry Pi's. Couldn't care less about having a slot for them on my computer.
 
I would have to say that the released-years-ago combo USB+eSATA port would qualify as prior art for this.
DSC00353.jpg

(The top port is a conventional, although high-power, USB port, the bottom one is the combo USB+eSATA port - the main purpose of the combo port is so that an eSATA drive can get power via USB since eSATA doesn't provide power.)

I think this is a great idea, combining USB and SD, but the idea of combining ports isn't new.
 
Anonymous Freak said:
I would have to say that the released-years-ago combo USB+eSATA port would qualify as prior art for this.
Image
(The top port is a conventional, although high-power, USB port, the bottom one is the combo USB+eSATA port - the main purpose of the combo port is so that an eSATA drive can get power via USB since eSATA doesn't provide power.)

I think this is a great idea, combining USB and SD, but the idea of combining ports isn't new.
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Is SD now considered a bus? :confused:

I am aware that we have seen (in the past) combo media readers, and combo BUS ports. That said, I am personally not aware of a previous port that combines a reader, with USB, Firewire, eSATA or otherwise port.

I agree the idea is similar, but it is not really trying to achieve the same thing.
 
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