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Apple's Lightning Connector Uses Adaptive Technology to Dynamically Assign Pin Functions

bobobenobi said:
Worse in what way?
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Thunderbolt connected USB host controllers seem to have no way of prioritizing PCIe packets carrying isochronous data. So when you have a Thunderbolt storage device daisy chained to an Apple Thunderbolt Display, QoS seems to ensure that all the DisplayPort packets are delivered on time (which is good), but the PCIe packets headed for the USB audio device in the display will get mowed down by those destined for the storage device. This can cause audio stuttering or drop-out.
 
renai-spirit said:
Innovate don't litigate, Apple.
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They may have to do both.

Litigate *if* absolutely necessary but not excessively. In any case, they get drag into legal rooms all the time by companies who want their hands in the cookie jar.

Change the patent laws, so every trigger happy folk stays out.
 
iParis said:
Wouldn't it technically be an 16-pin adaptor, 17 if you count the whole thing as one, since it's reversible and there's pin's on both sides?
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Physically speaking it appears to be an eight-pin connector as the top and bottom are cross-connected. However as the pins are 'Dynamically Assignable", the number of virtual pins is only limited by the chip inside the connectors.

everything-i said:
Probably about 6 months, Apple have done all the hard work in developing the concept after all ;)
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You're underestimating 'SAMMY'. They could churn this out in much less than 6 mos. LOL.

JuBe said:
I mean, wouldn't it be practical to have the same connection across all devices, that can do data and power, like was touted?
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imgmkr said:
it's gonna be one for all cable, eh! coolio.
although it is pricy it would be handy and useful more and more later.
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BTGeekboy said:
I had a hunch Lightning was this sort of expandable.....(Or, even better, Thunderbolt, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here.)
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Here's hoping.....:)
 
shinji said:
And guess what? Far more people buy phones without lightning connectors. I'm not sure what point you're trying to get across here. The number of people who buy something is not a wholesale endorsement of every single aspect of that product- just look at the outcry over the maps app in spite of the sales. This has less to do with a "handout mentality" than it does an uncompromising "black and white" mentality.

I love the iPhone and if I buy the 5, it'll be my third. My problem isn't with Apple making money off the phone, it's with having to buy absurdly priced adapters and/or all new accessories. Some of us have car integrations, docks, multiple charging cables, etc. that were working just fine. I don't think a reversible connector that was supposedly necessary to make a slightly thinner phone is worth the hassle and expense this is causing people.
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You are preparing to spend $200 on a phone and $60+ per month on your contract/data plan, and you are complaining about the expense the accessories are going to cause you. Again, don't buy it if it bothers you this much.
 
Apple doesn't innovate, say the haters? :rolleyes:

It's little things like this, that you don't even really notice, that Apple seems to be really good at.

Like, for instance, their rMBP fans with asymmetric blades.
 
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So, this works basically the same as the MegaSafe connector on your Mac ?

People shouldn't be complaing at a cost of x dollars you can buy an adapter.

Apples been doing that for ages and it even the same price.. Its not like its new.
 
Interesting information but this guy numbered the pins wrong. Bottom side should be inverted. 1-8 on top, 8-1 on the bottom.

Then it would be more clear.

Obviously, Pin 1 is ground, pin 5 is power when you see it this way, as it would be very difficult and probably stupid of Apple to dynamically assign the power and ground pins. What apple can do is regulate whether power goes out or in on Pin 5. Pin 1=G, Pin 5=V

Next, numbered this way, you will notice then that 4 and 8 are a pair, as they translate to 8 and 4 on the other side. They simply swap polarity.

Same goes for 2-7 and 3-6. Both are pairs that swap to 7-2 and 6-3.

So you end up with 4 pairs of pins, one pair fixed for power and ground and 3 pairs that can swap polarity:

1-5
2-7
3-6
4-8

Not quite as exotic as it seems...
 
mantan said:
I LOVE that commercial...even though I bought an iPhone.

Though I still think the point being made was valid. People acted excited like it was a new feature..even though they didn't know what it was. Heck, a lot of people read this article....and still couldn't answer 'what does that even mean?'
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Lightning ? It is a new feature !
 
So that's why the cable doesn't work if the USB end of it is plugged in AFTER the lightning end of the cable into the phone.
 
mingoglia said:
I suppose I was mildly impressed when network devices started "sensing" the port needed to swap pins 1 and 3 and 2 and 6, making network crossover cables almost obsolete. Most on this forum probably don't realize that was ever an issue when hooking up devices 'cause now it's "magic". :D
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I remember. Used to keep a crossover cable in my toolbox/laptop bag at all times.




darbus69 said:
considering u own an iPhone5, a MacBookPro and an iPad3 why in the name of all that is jobsian would you want a cheap 3rd party cable??? r u a republican/tea party member?
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GuitarDTO said:
You are preparing to spend $200 on a phone and $60+ per month on your contract/data plan, and you are complaining about the expense the accessories are going to cause you. Again, don't buy it if it bothers you this much.
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How's that phrase go? A fool and his money....:rolleyes:
 
Tech198 said:
Ya... Its USB 2 speeds... Least with Thunderbolt, there was a speed increase.

This is just a another name to make a design change, and make it connection either way.
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Another one who doesn't bother to read the last few pages.
 
darbus69 said:
considering u own an iPhone5, a MacBookPro and an iPad3 why in the name of all that is jobsian would you want a cheap 3rd party cable??? r u a republican/tea party member?
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Because Apple only makes one length of the cable, albeit an almost useless length.
 
Ya, ya, new stuff and all, don't need to bother with that,

When people find out it's only USB speeds, don't you think people are gonna wonder?

Just pure marketing hype

WHat about USB+.

As least it stll has the 'USB' name in it. Fact is, when people think of Lighning, they think of it being faster.

Anybody would....

How would u feel if apple released an update to the Mac that cut the thunderbolt speed in half.
 
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coolspot18 said:
Overkill. USB would have been fine.



And what problem does this solve that USB or heck even firewire would not have solved?
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Size for one. Particularly important for the future considering electronic devices will just get thinner and smaller.

Micro USB is a clumsy, fragile connector that also has the downside of being only able to charge at about half the rate of the recently superseded connector.
 
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