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Apple Updates Made For iPhone Licensing Program With USB-C Ports, Lightning to 3.5mm Output Cable

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Apple recently updated its Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod (MFi) licensing program to include specifications for USB-C ports and a Lightning to 3.5mm output cable (via 9to5Mac).

With the new specifications, accessory makers will be able to include USB-C ports on MFi-certified charging accessories designed for the iOS and Mac, with those accessories able to use the USB-C cables that ship with new Macs.

appleusbccable-800x484.jpg

Third-party MFi accessories that include Lightning ports are able to offer passthrough charging, but Apple's new specifications do not allow the USB-C port built into an accessory to be used for passthrough charging or syncing of an iOS device.

Apple's documentation suggests speakers and battery packs could benefit from the use of a USB-C port for charging purposes.

As for the Lightning to 3.5mm stereo output plug, it is designed to let users connect to a 3.5mm input using a Lightning port on an iOS device, something that was previously only possible with adapters.

Apple also recently revamped its Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod logos, introducing support for the San Francisco font and replacing device icons with standard Apple logos.

Article Link: Apple Updates Made For iPhone Licensing Program With USB-C Ports, Lightning to 3.5mm Output Cable
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/12/apple-usb-c-ports-mfi-program/
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Finally some Lightning to 3.5 jack cables other than Belkin's : )
 
heov said:
Let lightning die. They've already embraced USBC/Thunderbolt connector on their Macs. Bring it to iPhone and iPads. These are powerful powerful devices. Hell, just use the connector and keep call it lightning via USBC (like Thunderbolt).
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Apple's too arrogant to do that. You're talking about a company that has a history of removing functionality prematurely and needlessly (headphone jack). Given that, they are NOT going to comply with industry standards all the way. Apple has NEVER cared about those kinds of things.
 
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Let's hope they gave their partner's heads up on this. Such right now there are pretty much no iPhone X chargers, most notably Mophie. There are rumors they will be releasing one shortly, and would be unfortunate if they didn't get this approval ahead of time, and thus their charger were to have the old micro-usb plug rather than usb-c. Assuming usb-c, then for people who leave charger case on all the time, people can just carry around usb-c cable to charge their latest apple laptops and iPhones. Still no knew iPhone battery case by Apple though if they do it will be lighting sadly I'm sure. They may wait to release it until the new AirPower is released. Since I imagine AirPower will have some way of charging iPhones faster than 7.5w, and possibly the new case will support such a higher speed as well.

It's unfortunate that people who embracing the latest tech, still have wire chaos since even the latest Apple beats headphones don't use USB-C, let alone the iPhone or iPad. My guess is they will never switch to usb-c for iPhone/iPad and instead will just boost the charging speed of wireless eventually so it surpasses the max charging speed of wired cables. Which would be fine, but that seems like at least a few years out.
 
bladerunner2000 said:
Apple's too arrogant to do that. You're talking about a company that has a history of removing functionality prematurely and needlessly (headphone jack).
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Ugh. More headphone jack nonsense. They aren’t the only ones dropping it anymore and there are great alternatives they embrace. Wireless.
bladerunner2000 said:
Given that, they are NOT going to comply with industry standards all the way. Apple has NEVER cared about those kinds of things.
Click to expand...
except for USB-c?
 
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"Lightning to 3.5mm stereo output plug."? LOL. Can't believe I'm reading this. What's next? Lightning to 1/4 inch headphone jack? I thought Apple had (finally) abandoned these vintage connectors. (And if they didn't, why even remove the 3.5 mm headphone jack in the first place?). As it is now, they're actually keeping that damn thing alive instead of (finally) killing it.
 
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Michael Goff said:
Lightning is a better cable for mobile devices like the iPhone.
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No one's denying that. But it's not just about the connector- it's about usability. Why can't the iPhone have the same charger as the Macbook? Why can't it take the same accessories as the rest of the computer industry? What about the iPad?

Why doesn't Apple include a Lightning port on their Macbooks?

The fact is, the industry is on USB C, as is Apple for all their non-iOS devices. No we have to carry 2 chargers with us instead of one.

And technologically, USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3 blow Lightning out of the water. But you know what, keep the lightning standard... just change the connector to USB-C (like they did with Thunderbolt 3),and use USB-PD.
 
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outskirtsofinfinity said:
"Lightning to 3.5mm stereo output plug."? LOL. Can't believe I'm reading this. What's next? Lightning to 1/4 inch headphone jack? I thought Apple had (finally) abandoned these vintage connectors. (And if they didn't, why even remove the 3.5 mm headphone jack in the first place?)
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Well it's included with all iPhones that do not have a headphone jack. I think it's nice they offer a way for all those who still need this connection.
 
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