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9to5Mac shares some new details about Apple's updates planned for today, outlining some of the marketing terms the company appears to be using for aspects of its new devices. Among the details:

First, Apple is said to have been referring to its new dock connector as "Lightning" internally, and that branding is now said to be the public name for the feature as well. The term is suggestive of speed, and it seems possible that the cables may allow for faster data transfer than existing hardware. Apple is also said to be introducing several variations of the adapter for using new devices with cables and accessories bearing the old dock connector standard, including a direct clip-on adapter and one with a short cable.

newheadphones2.jpg



The second item relates to new headphones that appeared earlier this month in a leaked video, and today's report indicates that they will carry an "Earpod" name. On a standalone basis, they will be available at the same $29 price seen on the current headphones.

Finally, Apple is said to be launching a new "Loop" accessory for the iPod touch. While the function of the accessory appears to be unknown, it will retail for approximately $10 and be available in several difference color combinations.

The report also reiterates claims that Apple will be keeping its existing iPod touch available as a low-end model, but notes that the capacity will rise to 16 GB. And as for the iPod shuffle, which will maintain its current 2 GB capacity, the eight color options have now been identified: pink, yellow, blue, green, purple, silver, slate, and red.

Article Link: Apple's New iOS Device Marketing: 'Lightning' Dock Connector, 'Earpod' Headphones, 'Loop' Accessory
 
Is it possible? Just maybe, just maybe, the earphones included with a new iPhone won't suck?
 
Lightning, really. It was my understanding that apple dislikes the name thunderbolt as it was named by Intel. I would be surprised to see apple embrace the name that much. Lightning does nothing to explain what the port is, I am betting this is wrong.
 
Hopefully "Lightning" will support USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt speeds. That would be a great reason for Apple not to have used Micro-USB (which in its industry standard design is limited to USB 2.0 speeds since it lacks the extra pins needed for USB 3.0). iCloud or not, I'd still rather use a physical connection to load 10GB of music and movies.
 
It would be cool if they sell a Lighting to Thunderbolt cable. Although I can't remember the last time I actually sync'd my phone to my computer.
 
Is there any chance we will see a redesigned iTunes to go with the new devices? The current version is very clunky, particularly on Windows, and in particular for loading files onto the iPad.
 
I don't care what they look like or what they are called, as long as they stay in my ears better than the current Apple headphones.
 
I wouldn't doubt that the new connecter is USB 3.0 and thunderbolt compatiable.

THAT is the one feature that would make me want to upgrade. It takes for freaking ever to synch my iPad and iPhone.

Hopefully the camera connector kit will get an upgrade too. It would be great if I could dump pics from my SD card to iPad as quickly as they'll transfer off my Mac Mini's SD card slot.
 
First, Apple is said to have been referring to its new dock connector as "Lightning" internally, and that branding is now said to be the public name for the feature as well. The term is suggestive of speed, and it seems possible that the cables may allow for faster data transfer than existing hardware.
Hmm, I wonder how can it be faster if the data is still sent over USB 2.0...
 
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