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

[Geckotek]

Actually, that has not been proven at all. I'm pretty sure that the pins on the two sides of the PCB are connected using simple vias, and that the host device can use the 2 signaling pairs interchangeably through the same engineering trick that brought auto-MDIX to Ethernet back in 1998.

You obviously know far more about this than me so I'll step back and chose not to argue. I just hope that someone can crack it and make a working knock-off.

I have a friend that works for ST-Micro so I'm gonna get my hopes up for MyDP. haha

 

[Razorhog]

then we need an evolution in battery technology

Exactly. Battery technology has improved quite a bit, but it's still really pathetic. It feels backwards to me that we alter devices to consume less power rather than somehow altering the battery to be more robust. Devices that use less energy are always good, however.
Apple needs to dump a few billion into battery technology and/or alternative energy sources.

 

[jmpage2]

Of note, the eBay seller who I bought three generic lightning->USB cables from has refunded my purchase after I contacted them asking about whether these cables would be available in a reasonable amount of time and would be compatible.

 

[jmpage2]

You obviously know far more about this than me so I'll step back and chose not to argue. I just hope that someone can crack it and make a working knock-off.

I have a friend that works for ST-Micro so I'm gonna get my hopes up for MyDP. haha

If the Chinese have proven one thing it's that there's almost nothing they can't copy and clone.

There are literally millions (if not billions) of dollars to be made by creating clones of these cables, so it will happen.

However, in this case, it is possible that a clone cable will work for some features/functions and not others... or that it will work with today's crop of devices and not work with new devices that come along at a later time.

I would expect that where as the cloners thought they would have their wares available in just a week or two after they got ahold of the genuine article, they are finding it a little tougher this go around and we might not see a knock-off cable until sometime later this year.

 

[repoman27]

You obviously know far more about this than me so I'll step back and chose not to argue. I just hope that someone can crack it and make a working knock-off.

I have a friend that works for ST-Micro so I'm gonna get my hopes up for MyDP. haha

I'm not enrolled in Apple's MFi program, and if I were this would all be under NDA anyway, but from what I understand, those who are enrolled are being provided with reference designs and being directed to sources for the chips relevant to making Lightning accessories. Thus I don't believe there is anything to crack.

If Lightning is indeed based on MyDP, then there are very few hurdles barring industrious folks from churning out the necessary silicon en masse. The economy of scale here is massive when you consider that Apple alone will ship tens of millions of cables containing these chips in just the first few weeks.

What I find ironic is that these rumors that have people all concerned about the eventual availability of cheap, functional Lightning cables are being purported by someone who is attempting to hock a $17,000.00 headphone cable kit on his web site, but clearly hasn't ponied up the cash to enroll in the MFi program himself. So with what appears to be little to no fundamental understanding of electrical engineering, or any clue how the Lightning cable actually performs it's magic, this guy is now reselling custom butchered versions of Apple's cables for $85.00.

It is insane that the tech blogs are giving this guy so much free advertising, when the $2 made in China cables are far more likely to work as advertised.

 

[Chimopaul]

This cable just popped up today on DX. It claims charging but no sync. The price has changed (downward) several times and is now $15.30. Not much of a delta compared to Apple pricing to make up for the loss of sync capability.

As an aside, the price and availability difference between the currently available sync cable and the non-available adapter can be explained by functionality difference between the 30 pin adapter and the plain USB sync cable. The adapter must be able to supply the functions of the 30 pin device outputs while the cable needs only supply USB data and charging connectivity.

 

[andsoitgoes]

Problem 1 - old connector is too large
Problem 2 - retain as much functionality as possible from a 30-pin connector into as few pins as possible
Problem 3 - existing connector designs suck


There, found your problems.

I agree. Yes it sucks that we have to change over and I hate, so very much, having to change over... But it's been once in 9 years. And it's a smaller, more compact, more well designed cable that is designed for the future that the ancient 30 pin cable simply can't do. People hated having to get a new TV and new Bluray player, but it came with benefits. This, however, is different as we don't see those immediate benefits and may not ever truly see the depth of the benefits to the tech these cables have provided.

Yes, apple is making a truckload on the new cables, but I honestly don't think the minds behind apple went "Ooh, we need to invest years in creating a cable that will make people upgrade their existing cables just so we can make a minor profit from customers!" In reality, the average customer might buy 1 or 2 extras, and if Apple is making a profit of even 15 on the cable (not including the cost to package and store/display them), that's REALLY not a road that anyone would want to jump on and undertake.

So then if you negate that, we are sitting here with a new cable that the engineers deemed necessary for the future of their mobile devices. Seeing the damage caused to ALL of my 30 pin cables, I'm hoping they are built more sturdily, like advertised. That alone will save me in the long run.

And as a person who has purchased enough cheap faux cables from FocalPrice/DealExtreme, they suck. Every one. They're poorly made and I've gone through countless cables that get damaged just by normal usage, they don't charge nearly the same and have caused the phones to respond oddly while charging, and swapping in a genuine cable with the same charger there were zero issues.... Cheap cables are just that, cheap.

That said, I saw a cheap set of the cable + adapter come up on a Canadian Grouponlike site for $15, how can I turn down the possibility that they may not suck like the 30 pins did, maybe the authentication chips will ensure that knockoffs WILL be both more functional and more reliable.

 

[jmpage2]

Actually I do hold Apple somewhat responsible. By keeping partners 100% in the dark we not only have the typically annoying lack of cases at launch (at least for the iPhone 4 the bumpers were available out of the gate) but we literally have ZERO accessories out there that can use the new connection.

Why should I buy a $39 Apple adapter so that my wife can use her old janky car kit when for the same price I can probably buy a lightning one if it were available?

Totally unacceptable.

I'm fine with the change to lightning 8 pin cables, I'm not fine with Apple's ridiculous secrecy even with their own partners that is going to hold up the launch of accessories for MONTHS.

 

[SockRolid]

I think the problem with the iPhone 5 is that it doesn't feel like a stellar leap. The biggest changes are on the inside and this isn't really that tangible to your average consumer.

Feels like a stellar leap after using an iPhone 4 for two years.

Trust me on this one.

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You have the patent number? Love to see their claims. Reassignable pins on connection have been going on since the 70's in studio and concert equipment (never underestimate how a roadie can screw up equipment!) that even had real time adjustable impedance to match a connected set of speakers and switch polarities! Perhaps they limit their claims to mobile systems.

Here ya go:

http://www.patentlyapple.com/patent...-up-a-new-user-friendly-connector-system.html

This is definitely 21st century technology.

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Really? Because adaptive pin technology for connectors has been around for a very long time - which would make it another poorly assigned bogus patent.

There has even been an implementation of adaptive pins with a connector that can be plugged in in any orientation - being your humble rear panel 3.5mm audio connector (on PCs that is, Apple computers don't have it).

And here's the link for you too:

http://www.patentlyapple.com/patent...-up-a-new-user-friendly-connector-system.html

Not humble. Not 3.5mm anything.

 

[jmpage2]

An Amazon seller who I had a pre-order with for a 30 pin to 8 pin lightning adapter appears to have just cancelled all pre-orders for his product.

What's interesting is that a week or so ago he had sent out a note to everyone who had pre-ordered the item letting them know that there might be a delay of up to a month and to cancel if that was unacceptable.

Then today spontaneously he cancels the orders. I guess that the lightning cable juju is a hard nut to crack.

 

[bmwhd]

This switch is going to be very painful and expensive for me. I've at least a dozen docs and interface devices that need lightning to 30 pin adapters. That's a lot of $$$ plus the hassle of keeping up with them.

What I resent is Apple blasting it's own path when there could have been an effort made to work with the micro USB form factor and partner with the other vendors to make a world product we could all use. I also resent the price gouging and ludicrous MFi restrictions that will keep others from filling demand for lightning products.

 

[twcarlson]

I still don't understand the complicated electrical continuity paths between the top and bottom. Why not just make all the connections such that when you flip the plug, the same pin touches the same contact in the jack (like the one shown between top 1 and bottom 8)?

 

[JuBe]

not enough macs have thunderbolt. same with usb3

But aren't there enough mini-DVI ports?

 

[lk400]

So cheap cables should work for charging but nothing else?

Yes but just dont plug it in up the wrong way, or you will fry your device.

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I don't really understand why so many people focus on "faster transfer rates" of the cables used by iOS devices when wireless syncing has been available for a year or so.
Is there any good reason for syncing your iPhone using a wired connection?

Because the cable is used for things other than just an iphone (ipod nano for example), which doesnt support wireless syncing.

 

[lk400]

Yet, now we, Americans, have no means to get to the orbit to use that $10 mln. pen (unless we buy a seat on that simple Russian spaceship).

The point?

In comparison to the micro-USB 3.0, the "lightning" cable is overly complicated, less reliable, very expensive and slow.

I dont really follow your space odyssey so i wont comment, but way to not thing beyond today in your cable comments. Jee a current standard does everything I can think of today, so why invent something better.

There is a reason why some people are forward thinking inventors with a vision, and the rest of us are mere consumers.

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No more inexpensive cables for us????

http://gizmodo.com/5945889/some-third+party-adapters-might-not-work-with-your-new-iphone

Android users get $2 cables for their devices.

That's a bit like stepping out of your new Porsche complaining at the cheaper tyres on that Hyundai you parked beside.

 

[lk400]

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