My "generic" cables have outlasted both of my iPod touches. If you believe for one minute that there is any difference between a branded and generic cable, other than about $18.95 and a nice celophane wrapper, then continue giving you hard-earned cash to Apple for their batch of cables from the same Chinese sweatshop.
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Apple Will Be Only Supplier of New Dock Connector Adapter
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My "generic" cables have outlasted both of my iPod touches. If you believe for one minute that there is any difference between a branded and generic cable, other than about $18.95 and a nice celophane wrapper, then continue giving you hard-earned cash to Apple for their batch of cables from the same Chinese sweatshop.
There can be a difference, it just depends. But Apple is hardly the only company that pulls this nonsense (see practically every HDMI cable with a brand name). And don't forget the worst offender ever, Monster Cables.
So, I agree largely...copper wire is copper wire after all.
Stop meta-whining, this connector sure seems like a douchy move. (And BTW, my meta-meta-whining is due to the Rule of Recursive Complaining.
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I concur. (Plus, I'm still waiting on any benefit whatsoever to the consumer.)
If you're worried about Apple making money, do without the adapter for a few weeks until you can get a third-party version.
Or don't upgrade. I promise no one will come to your house and force you to.
I know that. I am saying that need to include an adapter too. Else **** them.
Oh noes, it's Apple ripping us all off.
Actually most OEMs rip you off with cables and accessories. Maybe people should search for official branded accessories for other manufacturers.
I don't agree with the prices but it seems only Apple get criticised for it.
As for the connector changing, well it's been around for 10 years - most pins are fairly redundant now Apple are using Airplay/Sync etc so it makes sense to change it. It's not going to impact me much, I only have 3 devices with the old 30 pin connector - daughters Sony iPod hifi dock, my car dock (used with an old iPod Nano) and a fairly incompatible (with phones) old universal iPod dock.
Actually most OEMs rip you off with cables and accessories. Maybe people should search for official branded accessories for other manufacturers.
I don't agree with the prices but it seems only Apple get criticised for it.
As for the connector changing, well it's been around for 10 years - most pins are fairly redundant now Apple are using Airplay/Sync etc so it makes sense to change it. It's not going to impact me much, I only have 3 devices with the old 30 pin connector - daughters Sony iPod hifi dock, my car dock (used with an old iPod Nano) and a fairly incompatible (with phones) old universal iPod dock.
Looking at the pinouts the 9 pin has the needed +5V and ground pins for power. Just like microusb, if you look at that pinout.
I think powered-B (11 pin) is used for devices with large power requirements that would have needed their own power supplies with USB 2:
Not an expert on this either, so I may be wrong.
I'm likely taking your advice and not upgrading. Two years in a row I've wanted to upgrade and Apple can't seem to make anything worth buying.
If I buy this one, I'd get LTE, which would be nice, but I have no LTE coverage where I live ATM. The larger screen is OK, but the phone looks worse than what I have. It's even skinnier than the one I have but keeps the flat back, so I can't see it being easier to hold (which would have been nice). The dock...well yeah, it borks many of my accessories. I guess it won't have NFC, so there goes that.
The main thing this has going for it (for me) is that it will likely be snappier (always good). But, hard to justify the extra money when what I have seems pretty much just as good.
Does anyone do this?
I find the amount of vitriol on this pretty amazing (though probably not surprising). I can't think of anyone who provides adapters for things that many/most users won't need. They aren't the first to change connectors (although they are the last to continue using a proprietary connector). It would be surprising if they included the adapter because it is only for adapting legacy devices.
-Cables are the same prices they've always been
-Adapters are actually cheaper than most people predicted
I think if Apple gave one away with every phone there would be complaints from people who have 5 legacy devices that they can't get another 4 for free.
Of course I imagine if you buy one in Europe you will get a free usb micro to new dock connector adapter, because I believe the EU requires that.
The question that really begs answering is what functionality is provided by this new dock connector vs. micro USB. There were some reports back in June that the new dock connector might be "mechanically and electrically compatible with the micro-USB standard". It appears that this has gone by the wayside, which is too bad. I guess that the previous dock connector gave the ability to do more than a USB cable can do in standard configuration. It would be great if they designed a connector that could accept a micro-usb cable for charging and the new dock connector for added features. Perhaps that's not physically possible > but it would provide the best of both worlds.
I find the amount of vitriol on this pretty amazing (though probably not surprising). I can't think of anyone who provides adapters for things that many/most users won't need. They aren't the first to change connectors (although they are the last to continue using a proprietary connector). It would be surprising if they included the adapter because it is only for adapting legacy devices.
-Cables are the same prices they've always been
-Adapters are actually cheaper than most people predicted
I think if Apple gave one away with every phone there would be complaints from people who have 5 legacy devices that they can't get another 4 for free.
Of course I imagine if you buy one in Europe you will get a free usb micro to new dock connector adapter, because I believe the EU requires that.
The question that really begs answering is what functionality is provided by this new dock connector vs. micro USB. There were some reports back in June that the new dock connector might be "mechanically and electrically compatible with the micro-USB standard". It appears that this has gone by the wayside, which is too bad. I guess that the previous dock connector gave the ability to do more than a USB cable can do in standard configuration. It would be great if they designed a connector that could accept a micro-usb cable for charging and the new dock connector for added features. Perhaps that's not physically possible > but it would provide the best of both worlds.
If it's FREE this year, it should also be FREE in the box of a new iPhone 5S next year. After that, not.
The adapter may not be included this year, not to be unfair to current 4S owners upgrading a year from now. With the amount people spend on iOS products & apps, that extra ten or thirty bucks shouldn't hurt too much. Unless, it's the "principle" you're going after?
One word: eBay
Watch for a plethora of much cheaper 3rd party versions, listed on eBay at the time of the next iPhone's release.
Watch for a plethora of much cheaper 3rd party versions, listed on eBay at the time of the next iPhone's release.
Interesting. I'd have thought they might want additional power for a fast charge, but if you're right, it may be USB 3.0. That would make me feel a lot better about this move.
Well it could be wasteful in theory, but then so are the earbuds, which always stay in my box. But really, who's going to just toss out the adapter? Worst case you give it to a friend who needs an extra. But I have to think after all these years everyone who's ever owned an iOS device has at least one dock connector related accessory.
i have a sound dock from years ago that doesn't work with the iPhone 4 and 4s anymore.
luckily apple changed the dock connector so there will be tons of sound docks on craigslist soon for cheap.
luckily apple changed the dock connector so there will be tons of sound docks on craigslist soon for cheap.
Most people won't really NEED one right away. The sync cord will come with it and connect to all your chargers. I have three iPhones in the house and none have "docks" (mostly cause I'm too cheap, and docks are crappy unless you spend$$)
It not so much Apple charging for it at the prices but the fact Apple is locking everyone else out and forcing you to go threw them. That is the problem. Samsung used to be really bad with their proprietary connectors on their cell phones. Now Samsung has gone to a standard and Apple is the only one going to a proprietary system and what is worse is you are force to get it only from Apple.
Kind of off-topic, but which did they go to? Mini-USB? I don't follow their phones all that much so I'm just curious.
I don't really see the problem with iPhone not being micro USB. The other end of the Apple supplied cable is plain USB, and has been. That requirement made since when everybody used hard-wired cables (and many still do) but if all the chargers are USB then things are slightly better.
For all those complaining about the cost of these adapters... have you EVER bought an Apple product? Come on, they are all some of the highest priced technical gadgetry on the market. Oh, and the people who keep saying things such as "shame on Apple" and things to the effect of "Steve would never have allowed this" ... well Steve isn't here anymore, Apple is making record profits, and has become one of the most talked about technology designers in the world. 