Could the iPad 2 Be Getting Light Peak?

[knownikko]

Funny I remember an engineering and production analyst saying the same about unibody construction a few years back.

Coming up with a fancy new way to shape aluminum has nothing to do with the progression, optimization, and miniaturization of integrated circuit design that has been around for 50+ years.

I stand by my original statement. If you think Apple has managed to develop a suitably small, power-efficient 10gpbs interconnect based on a brand new specification that they can put in a device the size of an ipad AND sell for $500 at a typical Apple profit margin, you're at minimum ignorant and at worst severely deluded.

Standalone PCI-e cards for proper desktop computers (which will likely sell for $50+ easy when they do show up in a few months) don't even exist yet - but we're to somehow believe that Apple's magic engineers have managed to implement the entire standard in a single IC small and cheap enough to be placed in an ipad?

Yeah. That'll be the day.

 

[bpaluzzi]

Hey arn,

as you know, the EU demands that manufacturers implement USB-Ports so that the end-user can charge devices like the iPhone with a single charger. The iPad is based on the iPhone and iPod Touch, and it would be inefficient for Apple to support different chargers for different devices.

It is USB, not LP.

Have a great day!

God, I thought this had died. Hadn't seen it around here for a while. "Thanks" for bringing it back up.

Search if you want more details, but in quick bullet points:

1 - they're not demanding anything
2 - iPad doesn't fall under jurisdiction, even if it were required for phones
3 - the CURRENT iPhone/iPod/iPad charger fits under the very specific guidelines given by the EU. NOTHING needs to change. Not a port, not an adapter... NOTHING.


So there's no requirement. Even if there was, the iPad would be exempt. And even if it was required, the Apple devices would ALREADY meet the requirements.


And then there's the whole other issue of people not understanding the difference between a USB "Host" and a USB "Device". Or the fact that the iPad is ALREADY on a different charger from iPhone/iPod...

 

[djhash]

Hey,

I might've missed something. But is there anything that tells us that it has to be a port (others suggesting it could be a microphone tells me that there is nothing that limits what the opening in the case could be for)? Can it be an IrDA? It would need to be made of transparent material, thus the opening. I'm sure an IrDA is not something as spectacular as LightPeak, but it's something.

If this port is real, it's probably an IrDA port so that the iPad could act as the ultimate remote control for all of your AV equipment and for the Apple TV.

Genius!

It could be:

1. A bigger, better microphone

2. An infrared sensor (although that seems like a step backwards)

3. Mini display-port or mini hdmi (-although wireless seems to be the future)

4. USB port of some kind (most likely) would open the door to a whole world of peripherals.

5. Wrong case design

If it does end up being an IrDA port, then dont forget who mentioned it here first.. ;-) Any prizes will be claimed by myself But i might feel like sharing..

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

If the Chinese took a picture of a case with an optical drive slot would you post that too?

Why not?

 

[pmonahan]

My Prediction

Infrared transmitter for TV/Home Theater Control

Peter

 

[MikeDTyke]

Xoom will have flash by the end of March. I'm not sure of your point. Considering there will be a deluge of Android tablets this year, it will strip away iPad's only hold on the tablet market. Phone sales show how robots can eat away into iPhone's sales. Also, don't use the "well the iPhone is just a single phone...", as that holds no weight. Regardless of how good or bad other phones are, people are chosing them over an iPhone. Apple needs to figure out why as it's deeper than just the variety of phones out there. The same will happen with iPad sales.

With all that said, iPad 2 won't live up to the flighty rumors perpetuated by sites like this. New consumers will buy one. Current users of iPad .95 (not really a 1.0 with its features), won't upgrade, which is a large part of the market Apple relies on.

Apple should invest in cancer research instead of more Apple stores.

You're a real class act. NOT!
Drop dead troll.

 

[coleridge78]

that mystery port that is circled is too far away for it to be a camera flash, look at the iPhone 4, or any other phone with a camera, the flash is next to the camera lens, which you can see on that case is to the top right.... duh!

Just in case this isn't sarcasm: those devices have the flash near the lens out of necessity, because the device is small. In an ideal universe, the flash is well away from the axis of the lens. It reduces redeye, those ugly blown highlight/deep shadow combinations you get from next-to-the-lens flash, etc.

 

[Mike Oxard]

Thanks professor

Nice response to a first time post

 

[NyArtboy]

Just to stem the hate. This is not a rumor. It's purely speculation, which we generaly avoid, but it raises an interesting topic.

The alternative explanations are:

1. no new port. case designs and rumors are wrong
2. USB port coming to iPad
3. Another type of port?

arn

USB, would be the most likely but inevitably I believe there will be no new port if I know apple. They are not trying to reposition their tablet concept to be a replacement for anything that resembles a real computer just improve on what they already have, which they have proven is viable based on the amount of sales they had on the first gen.

The case is only a prototype and usually Apple gives out older prototype schematics in order to keep some level of secrecy to what the latest is. So they were probably 'playing' with the idea sometime last year of an additional port.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

1 - they're not demanding anything

Yeah, the EU says something, and the manufacturers follow without any pressure. That is wrong. Check the facts before you comment here!

2 - iPad doesn't fall under jurisdiction, even if it were required for phones

As i explained it: Different chargers are inefficient for Apple. You should read my posts before you comment them.

3 - the CURRENT iPhone/iPod/iPad charger fits under the very specific guidelines given by the EU.

And where is your source for such a claim? Apple agreed to change the charger.

And btw, calm down a bit!

 

[cmaier]

No. The EU mandate specifically permits adapter cables. iPhone is fine - no change required.

Hey arn,

as you know, the EU demands that manufacturers implement USB-Ports so that the end-user can charge devices like the iPhone with a single charger. The iPad is based on the iPhone and iPod Touch, and it would be inefficient for Apple to support different chargers for different devices.

It is USB, not LP.

Have a great day!

Yeah, the EU says something, and the manufacturers follow without any pressure. That is wrong. Check the facts before you comment here!


As i explained it: Different chargers are inefficient for Apple. You should read my posts before you comment them.


And where is your source for such a claim? Apple agreed to change the charger.

And btw, calm down a bit!

 

[bpaluzzi]

Yeah, the EU says something, and the manufacturers follow without any pressure. That is wrong. Check the facts before you comment here!


As i explained it: Different chargers are inefficient for Apple. You should read my posts before you comment them.


And where is your source for such a claim? Apple agreed to change the charger.

And btw, calm down a bit!

Perhaps you should check your facts.
It's a recommendation. There is absolutely NO requirement for any of the companies to adhere to the agreement.

Apple already has two chargers. The iPad requires higher voltage than what is provided by the iPhone chargers. And higher than what is spec'ed by the EU documentation.

My source is the text of the EU Technical Annex. The actual specification for the universal charging scheme.
(search for: TECHNICAL ANNEX TO MOU REGARDING THE HARMONISATION OF A CHARGING CAPABILITY FOR MOBILE PHONES), it's the first PDF returned by Google.

1 - "The cable assembly shall terminate in a Micro-B plug. The plug shall meet the USB- IF Connector Test Requirements (http://www.usb.org/developers/compliance/connectors/), shall be compliant to the Micro-USB Cables and Connectors Specification, Rev 1.01 (Micro-USB 1.01), and shall be rated to meet all electrical specifications."


2 - "An EPS provided with a detachable cable shall be equipped with a USB Standard-A receptacle. Standard detachable cable assembly, supplied for use with the EPS, shall have Standard-A and Micro-B plugs and meet the USB-IF Cable Assembly Test Requirements for Compliant Usage of Connectors and Cables in Micro-USB 1.01. (http://www.usb.org/developers/compliance/cable/).”"

3 - "Above requirement also applies to detachable cables used as adaptor i.e. where the Micro-B is replaced by a proprietary plug"


(numbers and paragraph breaks added by me)

Paragraph 1 is the part that everyone seems to know about. If your power supply has a permanently attached cable, (e.g., Nokia / Sony barrel connectors, Motorola blade connectors, etc.), you need to switch it to a Micro-B plug.

Paragraph 2 is where it gets interesting. If the power supply has a removable cable (like the Apple chargers), it needs to connect the cable via a USB-A (the flat rectangular "host" socket you see on computers) (like the Apple chargers already do)

And Paragraph 3 is where it's codified that Apple is ALREADY in compliance. If you have a proprietary connector (i.e., the dock connector), you only need to have the "head" end of the cable terminate in a USB-A plug (again, like Apple already does).

Not a single thing needs to change. At all.

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

NO ITS NOT!! Shut the hell up MacRumors, you really need to take you're head out of your ass lately! Reporting ******** on any old crap they gets sent to you! WAKE UP!!! ANYONE can make an iPad case, THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING!! Did apple make it?? NO!! How the ***** would some random company know exactly what Apple will be doing next?? This site has gone to hell with this BS!! Shut up and report something REAL!!

 

[3282868]

Those "millions who use iDevices" you mention would probably not even notice that there's a "new connection" on their new iDevice, let alone being able to evaluate the cost that might cause...
And btw: Apple did exactly that when they introduced USB for the first time on their iMacs (and survived moaning and bitching).

Ok

Huh? If that were the case how did Apple ever sell USB or FW? Remember it was the consumer iMac which Apple first introduced USB to the Mac world. And that product saved Apple from certain liquidation. But Light Peak isn't something that is "sold" to consumers, it's sold to device makers.

Sure

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

Actually the ruling allows that you can have an adapter to miniUSB included with the device, so apple can keep the existing dock connector and just bundle the adapter with the device.

...which would make no sense @ all. If you replace a no longer needed second or third charger with the appropriate adapter, then you could say that this means zero progress.

 

[pmz]

Just to stem the hate. This is not a rumor. It's purely speculation, which we generaly avoid, but it raises an interesting topic.

The alternative explanations are:

1. no new port. case designs and rumors are wrong
2. USB port coming to iPad
3. Another type of port?

arn

I refuse to believe that anyone with your experience could think anything other than bold is remotely possible for iPad 2.

Know this: This is not a rumor, this is not speculation...it IS fake, conjured up, CLICK BAITING.

 

[charlituna]

Until Apple shows it off.... We won't know... highly doubt it's light-peak seems like a stupid guess since no Apple products have it... might be a mic for facetime.... or a Death Star Laser

who is to say that come the end of this week we won't have Macs with Light Peak.

that said, I still don't buy it as presented. Apple has invested too much in their dock connector with too many 3rd party bits and pieces out there. Now a plug in the form of a DC to USB that is light peak under the hood with USB 2.0 compatibility. Okay that I could buy as plausible if it is actually technologically possible.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Let me just ask: Why would they put a port in the top edge of the iPad? Makes no sense.

Just asking...

 

[charlituna]

This Light Peak vs. USB 3 thing is going to be like Blu-ray vs. HD DVD. And I'm fairly certain LP is going to be on the losing end. USB is already widely established,

yes but we all know that it only takes the Porn boys deciding to go LP. Cause where the porn goes . . .

Seems like a very strange place to put any kind of port, be it USB, LightPeak or MiniDisplayPort. Why would anyone want cables dangling from TOP CENTER?

Because there is no top, or bottom. As Steve said, you can turn it whatever way you want. So you say it is the top, I say it is the bottom. Someone else who likes to carry the ipad in landscape all the time calls it the left, or perhaps the right.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

Perhaps you should check your facts.

I did. I work as a business analyst and have 15+ years of experience.

I did not archive what i heard (an interview on the radio), but i found the facts again via google:
"The press release came only days after Verheugen said in an interview with the German media company Deutsche Welle that his patience has given out. He put his cards on the table: he expects a voluntary universal charger standard to come out of industry -- and soon -- or industry will feel the "severe measures" which the European Union can bring to bear."

From:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/03/eu-force-universal-charger-standard-mobile-phone.php

That means, your statement "They did not demand it." is wrong, and i knew it in advance, because i did know what the EU said on this matter. You did not, and you did not check the facts.

 

[axual]

Apple would not ...

Apple would not put a cable port on the top of the device.

The existing sync cable can be changed to support a Light Peak connection, but again, you need computers to plug them into.

 

[bpaluzzi]

I did. I work as a business analyst and have 15+ years of experience.

I did not archive what i heard (an interview on the radio), but i found the facts again via google:
"The press release came only days after Verheugen said in an interview with the German media company Deutsche Welle that his patience has given out. He put his cards on the table: he expects a voluntary universal charger standard to come out of industry -- and soon -- or industry will feel the "severe measures" which the European Union can bring to bear."

From:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/03/eu-force-universal-charger-standard-mobile-phone.php

That means, your statement "They did not demand it." is wrong, and i knew it in advance, because i did know what the EU said on this matter. You did not, and you did not check the facts.

HAHAHA. Okay, so you have someone's interview, where he calls is a VOLUNTARY standard. That's your fact?

My facts come from the actual text of the document.

It's not required. There is no punishment if they chose not to sign it, and there's no punishment if they choose to ignore it after signing. They are allowed to opt out at any time. They are allowed to remain in the agreement and produce phones that do NOT fall under the governance of the agreement. They are allowed to choose not to produce phones under the agreement at any time if they find the agreement to "be not viable from a technical, economic, social or environmental perspective"

The phrase "toothless" is brought to mind.

 

[pmz]

Infrared transmitter for TV/Home Theater Control

Peter

Not needed at all, we already have working apps for that.

 

[knownikko]

who is to say that come the end of this week we won't have Macs with Light Peak.

I will. Not gonna happen.

 

[bpaluzzi]

Not needed at all, we already have working apps for that.

They all require external dongles.