"Trying to confirm details about the new port, AppleInsider spoke with an accessory maker familiar with Apple's plans, and they noted that they weren't sure what Apple has in mind, what the port would be specifically used for, or how it would be an improvement over anything currently on the market. The developer preview supplied to accessory designers is reportedly light on details, generating some confusion surrounding the port."
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Apple Working on 'Ultra Accessory Connector' for Made for iPhone Program [Updated]
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"Update: As Ars Technica points out, the "Ultra Accessory Connector" is a new name for an existing port that's already used in digital cameras and other accessories.
Apple told Ars Technica that the port has been added to the Made for iPhone program at the request of licensees, not because it is trying to push accessory makers to adopt a new type of connector."
What's becoming hilarious is people not reading the article (and the update) before commenting
Well yes USB connectors are better than PS2, but its 2017 now not 2003 and USB-C, lightning and hopefully whatever Apple comes up with here are far superior to micro/mini USB.
Apple haven't "come up" with anything in this case, it's an existing connector that's already being used by other manufacturers.
none on my digital cameras use this port. They are all USB-3. (Nikon D500, D750 etc)
Nikon are one of the companies already using it.
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No, it's just a USB connector.
Expected type of response given the irresponsible reporting of both 9to5Mac and MacRumors (initially). Both articles made it sound like this was a new "Apple connector" when that could not be further from the truth.
Here is the Ars article again that clears it up.
https://arstechnica.com/apple/2017/02/no-apple-isnt-developing-an-all-new-port-for-accessory-makers/
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Read the Ars article.
https://arstechnica.com/apple/2017/02/no-apple-isnt-developing-an-all-new-port-for-accessory-makers/
Welcome to the Internet where rumours and "news" may need correction.
I can't charge all my devices with one cable. It's not possible. I have an Anker five port charger, and four cables plugged in, so I can charge four devices at the same time. If I buy another device, I'll plug its cable into the charger, whether it's 30pin, Lightning, USB-C or whatever.
And if Apple switches to USB-C today, I will still need a lightning cable five years from now, because I hope very much that the latest phone I bought for my wife will still be working five years from now.
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There are people who bought 256GB iPhones and fill 240GB with a quarter of their record collection. And there are photographers who bought 256GB iPhones and it takes them half an hour to fill the memory with photos (maybe slightly exaggerated).
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And do you remember SCART connectors? The copper in them is worth more now than you paid for the cable 20 years ago
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You're sure Apple couldn't charge for wireless charging cables
First product with 100% gross margin.
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You make it sound like you still believed that these people consumed and processed information before they hurled their troll-spew into the forums. Take this as the opportunity it is: if you enjoy reasoned conversations and considered replies to new information then everyone posting complaints after the mid 150's or so is a candidate for the ignore list.What's becoming hilarious is people not reading the article (and the update) before commenting
Yeah, most companies these days only feel pain in their wallets.
You don't have to buy Windows, but you can't buy a Mac
No idea why people are so hung up on wireless charging.
1. You would need a Pad instead of a wire.
2. It's way more inefficient - 40-70% so would cost you more.
3. Potentially a lot slower.
4. Add bulk to the phone.
5. If it's a pad you can't easily use it at the same time.
This is of course based on current tech - there is a UK company working on Low power field tech that could work house wide. That's a little more interesting but still very inefficient overall.
The watch system is pretty slick I suppose but the battery is tiny and the positioning is perfect so it charges well.
If they are going for full sealed units - then a magnetic connector would be good - but they aren't getting rid of lightning for at least another 5 years.
While I agree with almost everything you say here, I think there is enough chatter about wireless charging that we may see something come up soon. Given the more toward water resistance, I suspect the main motivation is better seal the housing. If they're trying to seal the housing, then removing the lightning connector is almost a given. Removing the headphone jack was a gentle nudge toward wireless, and now removing the lightning jack is the final shove.
So if my logic holds, then we'll only have wireless charging once the lighting port is removed. I'd be surprised if they removed it from all of their devices at once, I think they might ship some with and some without, but I'd be surprised if Lighting lasted another 5 years across the product line.
(I also don't think people care about the cost of charging their devices, but I do think the inefficiency will become important when recharging from a portable battery pack).
What is, the UAC? I thought the article said it was a new proprietary connector?
There's a link to ars technica in the update posted to the first post which explains why it isn't anything new and lots of discussion on this page saying the same thing.
This just confirms it for me, I will not buy another iPhone ever... Unless they do move to USB-C. I am done.
There are many ways to connect your phone to your USB-C equipped computer without a dongle. Here's a hint: they don't require cables either. Dongle was your first idea? Try to move forward in technology, not behind
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This particular input has almost nothing to do with the iPhone. Did you even read the HEADLINE of this article?
You make good points.
Here's why I want Apple to adopt wireless charging.
Some cars makers are now including wireless charging in the in-car storage places you would put your mobile, benefits self explanatory.
I know someone will disagree but when Apple adopts a technology the rest of the industry copies or tries to out do it; I genuinely believe that if Apple did not have their quest for thin and sexy devices, the whole industry would not be as mobile as it is today.
What heck has that got to do with wireless charging? Macrumours posted a Apple patent for wireless charging which look at charging multiple devices at a single time without the need for the device to be on a plate, let's say it beamed it across somehow, that's kind of innovation we will get if Apple adopts it but for now, we have to start somewhere.
MagSafe is good and i liked it on my 2011MBP but it is time to move on from wires, i'm no environmentalist but i can only imagine a wire free future will be good all around.
