Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple to Adopt Micro-USB Connectors for iPhone Charging in Europe

I have both

I have several iPhones & iPods that use the "standard" dock connector.

One of the original advantages is that the connector supported both USB and FireWire 400 hookups (remember early iPods were FireWire).

Then there are the iPod Shuffles-- each model seems to use a new (different) connector.

So, the Apple connector standard is really a mish-mash of proprietary hookups.

I also bought a couple of Mophie JuicePack Air external battery/cases for the iPhone 3G and 3GS. The iPhone slides into the battery/case which has an internal dock connector. The battery/case's external connector is MicroUSB (so it has a built-in adapter).

So far, everything works as expected-- the iPhone and/or the JuicePack recharges when plugged in and everything synchs through the MicroUSB cable.

The only complaints with the MicroUSB connection:

-- the connector isn't as substantial and appears a little fragile
-- the connector is smaller and more difficult to connect

That said, I would prefer the MicroUSB standard as long as Apple doesn't sacrifice any iPhone capabilities to use it!

Dick
 
andiwm2003 said:
It's about time. Apple is particularly bad in this.:mad:



After getting my iphone 3GS i realized that i can't charge it with any of my old ipod chargers although they have a dock connector.

I also can't use the European charger and my car charger that worked perfectly for my iphone 2g anymore.

Apple please explain to me why a charger that could easily charge my iphone 2g can not charge my iphone 3GS?:confused:
Click to expand...

I noticed this too and it pissed me off. My Alpine stereo charged my iphone 2g just fine through the dock connector, but now it doesn't work. I hate feeling like they are doing things to simply force me to buy something else.
 
As small and all as the micro usb port is would it have any likely implications for space etc. on the iPhone?
I think a port on the side would ruin the aesthetic of the iPhone, so I presume it will stay on the bottom.
 
andiwm2003 said:
It's about time. Apple is particularly bad in this.:mad:



After getting my iphone 3GS i realized that i can't charge it with any of my old ipod chargers although they have a dock connector.

I also can't use the European charger and my car charger that worked perfectly for my iphone 2g anymore.

Apple please explain to me why a charger that could easily charge my iphone 2g can not charge my iphone 3GS?:confused:
Click to expand...

Here here- I was surprised that no one else mentioned this earlier- my pioneer radio connection now makes the iphone 3gs report "charging is not supported with this accessory" while it still works with (now my wife's) iphone 2g!
 
I would think that just as long as the device ships with an appropriate charger whether is it an iPhone or an iPod they wouldn't impose this on U.S. phone makers. It would be rather easy though considering the wall chargers that ship with the iPhone are standard USB to just have an extra USB Micro. I think it would take away from the beauty of the iPhone though.
 
walnuts said:
Here here- I was surprised that no one else mentioned this earlier- my pioneer radio connection now makes the iphone 3gs report "charging is not supported with this accessory" while it still works with (now my wife's) iphone 2g!
Click to expand...

That is because the unit charges via Firewire which is no longer supported (it won't charge a 3G either).

What I find odd is I have a usb charger that wont charge the phone either. But it charges usb stuff just fine.
 
So we will get a completely redundant port on next year's iPhone, a new hole in my phone, another way for grind and liquids to get in. I hate the idea.
 
MedHead said:
As small and all as the micro usb port is would it have any likely implications for space etc. on the iPhone?
I think a port on the side would ruin the aesthetic of the iPhone, so I presume it will stay on the bottom.
Click to expand...

Micro-USB is thinner. Thinner is better :apple: . Now how to get rid of this headphone jack...:rolleyes:
 
Agreed !

RichardF said:
And with that the iPhone would look like all the Microcrap "smart-phones" out there. I do not want two ports of the iPhone. Keep it simple!
Click to expand...

And before you know it the bottom of the iPhone will look like this...
 

Attachments

  • dell_inspiron_1525_left_side.JPG
    dell_inspiron_1525_left_side.JPG
    34.6 KB · Views: 135
Who in their right mind on this site would vote this news as negative?


Holy crap....Apple is actually following a future industry standard here and people find that negative?

Its a tiny port...get over it.
razr2_tour_img_0847_605.jpg
 
aleksandra. said:
Micro-USB is thinner. Thinner is better :apple: . Now how to get rid of this headphone jack...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

True i guess, i just found a micro usm cable and compared it to the dock connecter...not much between them in terms of thickness really. I guess the iPod refresh in September might give us hints as to the plans for the connecter!
 
deannnnn said:
It's not that bad of an idea... but I don't see Apple abandoning the 30-pin in the USA.
Click to expand...

Neither do I. In fact, did you hear that? That was the very faint sound of "Meh" ... coming from behind Schiller's office door. :cool:
 
Actually, I can Imagine Apple modifying the 30 pin connector on the iPhone and iPods to allow a micro USB cable to be plugged in, too. Micro-USB is pretty thin, and some sort of funnel construction inside could guide the micro USB jack to the right place. This would make the 30 pin cables and micro-USB work, without killing the design.
 
DougB541 said:
Who in their right mind on this site would vote this news as negative?


Holy crap....Apple is actually following a future industry standard here and people find that negative?

Its a tiny port...get over it.
razr2_tour_img_0847_605.jpg
Click to expand...



This interferes with the design of the phone.
It's either going to be the current port or the mini-USB but not both and certainly not on the side with a rubber thing hanging out.
 
Addition

My guess is they'll just add the port in addition to the 30 pin. Or they could must make the micro-usb port standard and make and adaptor for the 30 pin. Or a removable flush mount module that could just be pulled out and swapped for the other. Actually, there are dozens of way's this can be implemented.

Regardless, even with the proprietary port, Apple has made the idea of using legacy accessories a moot point as they've changed the configuration (for good reason or not) so I guess it really doesn't matter.
 
diamond.g said:
That is because the unit charges via Firewire which is no longer supported (it won't charge a 3G either).

What I find odd is I have a usb charger that wont charge the phone either. But it charges usb stuff just fine.
Click to expand...

The 1st gen iPhone had firewire charging capability? That sounds wrong to me- my 5th gen ipod charged with this radio and would not charge with firewire.
 
If they want to standardize, why not standardize on the Apple 30 pin connector rather than Micro-USB? They have made it widely adopted. I would not object to micro USB on the base/end of the device as well as 30 pin. The problem which Apple in particular will run into is they are miniaturizing devices (Nano) to the point where the connector defines the device thickness and size. We saw how Apple resolved that with the micro-Shuffle. A custom layout 1/8" phone jack. Therefore the device could still get smaller. :)

Then we have to argue whether or not the first "standard" will support USB 3.0 so there is not a mid-course change in the "adoption of the standard".

I have micro-USB on a couple of cameras and like the plug, but an iPhone dock connector has more capabilities, and more to the point, socket into a wide variety of interesting accessories. A dock to micro USB adapter, perhaps including standard USB would be an easy solution.

Rocketman
 
Take a look at all the fanboys complaining that there will perhaps be another port on their iPhone. **** your love of design, this is about reducing waste. That comes before any pretentious "objet d'art".
 
Rocketman said:
If they want to standardize, why not standardize on the Apple 30 pin connector rather than Micro-USB? They have made it widely adopted. I would not object to micro USB on the base/end of the device as well as 30 pin. The problem which Apple in particular will run into is they are miniaturizing devices (Nano) to the point where the connector defines the device thickness and size. We saw how Apple resolved that with the micro-Shuffle. A custom layout 1/8" phone jack. Therefore the device could still get smaller. :)

Then we have to argue whether or not the first "standard" will support USB 3.0 so there is not a mid-course change in the "adoption of the standard".

I have micro-USB on a couple of cameras and like the plug, but an iPhone dock connector has more capabilities, and more to the point, socket into a wide variety of interesting accessories. A dock to micro USB adapter, perhaps including standard USB would be an easy solution.

Rocketman
Click to expand...

Because not every phone company wants a 30 pin connector on their phone.

And it wouldn't make sense on most devices.


And apples wouldn't want other devices to work in iPod related devices. Plus there are a plethora pf devices that extend past a phone that use microUSB...that is already an open standard.
 
DougB541 said:
Who in their right mind on this site would vote this news as negative?

Holy crap....Apple is actually following a future industry standard here and people find that negative?
Click to expand...

Exactly. Apple have a ridiculous history of using proprietary connections. To get them to change to something standard is like making a kid eat their vegetables. They'll sulk and complain even if it's in their best interests.

The Apple world is littered with stupid connections that nobody else uses meaning you have to pay a premium for the Apple version.

If the reactions of users in this forum is to be followed then we would still be using IDE drives, ADC, ADB, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back