Diagnostic Port is for more than diagnostics!

[samiznaetekto]

From 9to5Mac:


Nobody is going to be able to access this themselves without specialized tools.

Yes, they poked it out from the inside, but it's obviously held in place by friction only:

So, with a specialized tool, it should be possible to remove it from the outside. (there must be a reason for that tiny indent on the cover) Otherwise, why make a diagnostic port with contacts facing outside if it requires full disassembly?!

 

[SixtyK]

Wrong, Bluetooth on the iPod touch 2nd gen. It shipped with the chip but no functionality till an iOS update later.

Wasn't it when AirPort was upgraded to 802.11g that apple announced "Oh by the way, if you have these recent models you're equipped to run it and need only download the enabler to activate it"?

 

[Marshall73]

Wasn't it when AirPort was upgraded to 802.11g that apple announced "Oh by the way, if you have these recent models you're equipped to run it and need only download the enabler to activate it"?

That was Wireless N on some Mac models. There was a $10 software upgrade for iPod touch 2nd gen owners that enabled Bluetooth functionality available. That was back in 2009 and it was iPhone os 3.

 

[redman042]

Apple has never launched a product before with a hardware feature not ready to be used immediately, but at some time in the future.

Wet dreams about enabling this diagnostic port for additional functionality later are just that... wet dreams.

I agree with this. Also, what's the port even wired up to on the inside? I couldn't tell from the iFixit teardown.

It's probably something they use once during manufacturing and then never again.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

That was Wireless N on some Mac models. There was a $10 software upgrade for iPod touch 2nd gen owners that enabled Bluetooth functionality available. That was back in 2009 and it was iPhone os 3.

The upgrade to Leopard enabled it for my macbook pro.

 

[Natzoo]

Apple has never launched a product before with a hardware feature not ready to be used immediately, but at some time in the future.

Wet dreams about enabling this diagnostic port for additional functionality later are just that... wet dreams.

you have too many apples

 

[shox2k2]

It's certainly possible that it could create a waterproof seal but I am curious to see if you had a charging strap on it what would happen would it be able to charge while wet? (obviously not plugged in an outlet, I don't know how charging packs work)

 

[Mac 128]

It's certainly possible that it could create a waterproof seal but I am curious to see if you had a charging strap on it what would happen would it be able to charge while wet? (obviously not plugged in an outlet, I don't know how charging packs work)

It would be very hard to adequately waterproof that port with the band attachement mechanism they have now. corrosion would be a major problem for those contacts.

 

[applepuree]

Apple has never launched a product before with a hardware feature not ready to be used immediately, but at some time in the future.

Wet dreams about enabling this diagnostic port for additional functionality later are just that... wet dreams.

Not so. I can remember at least one hardware feature that needed an activation utility at a later date. I think it was enabling the camera for FaceTime and it cost 1,99 at the time.

Then there is NFC in iPhone 6/6 Plus that has no use outside of the USA (disabled).

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Apple has never launched a product before with a hardware feature not ready to be used immediately.

iPad Air 2 and Mini 3 NFC chips, Surely that counts?