Should have mentioned this above as well, but THIS. I installed a Dice Electronics box in my car years ago that allows me to hook up the dock connector in my car to my phone and charge it quickly, feed audio directly into the sound system, allow Siri to work through my steering wheel, and have GPS directions chime in on my car's speakers. It's just an elegant all in one connector.
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How crappy is the charging port design?
- Thread starter jollyreaper
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Should have mentioned this above as well, but THIS. I installed a Dice Electronics box in my car years ago that allows me to hook up the dock connector in my car to my phone and charge it quickly, feed audio directly into the sound system, allow Siri to work through my steering wheel, and have GPS directions chime in on my car's speakers. It's just an elegant all in one connector.
I like the dock connector design. Its nice to be able to buy an accessory and have it last. If I had to buy a new iPod dock stereo, car stereo adaptor, iPad camera adaptor kit, whatever for every flavour of the month usb connector I'd be pretty pissed off.
I'm still using USB dock cables that came with my old 20gig firewire iPod. I'm also still a bit sore that I can't charge my new stuff with the firewire charger.
I'm pretty sure the 30 pin connector is one of the most successful proprietary connectors in consumer electronics, just think about how many places use it.
What I'm really not impressed with is how flimsy the new dock cables are. I miss the old locking cables.
I'm still using USB dock cables that came with my old 20gig firewire iPod. I'm also still a bit sore that I can't charge my new stuff with the firewire charger.
I'm pretty sure the 30 pin connector is one of the most successful proprietary connectors in consumer electronics, just think about how many places use it.
What I'm really not impressed with is how flimsy the new dock cables are. I miss the old locking cables.
So I wonder what the source of my problem is, the connector or the cords? I've been playing with electronics for a long time and have encountered plenty of failed plugs on network cords (thank you, crappy rj-45 connector) but only once or twice have I encountered an actual failed cable as in plugs look fine but the fool thing just doesn't work; swap the cable and everything is fine.
But the strangest thing with the work-alike cables is that they fail in time. Never ever ever encountered this with any other electronics out there. My spares bin is full of perfectly functional cables I don't need but can't bear to dispose of because they're fine. And plenty of that stuff comes from China, too; everything does.
So, what's the difference with Apple stuff?
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Didn't Apple break the first or second gen peripherals a while back? I seem to remember a big stink about the connectors looking the same but being decertified by Apple. New i-products would detect the connector but see it was not the latest model and refuse to use it. And I think that was through a firmware update so hardware that was playing nice together stopped working. Am I remembering this correctly?
I love the 30 pin connector, All my apple products (nano, 5.5gen ipod, old iphones and current iphone 4, ipad and the wife's ipod touch all work with the same cable, in fact i feel at times like i have too many cables lying around, i've only had 1 break and it was because i slammed it in the car door by accident so not bad there! Apple have invested a lot in the 30pin connector, i expect it will be around for a while yet!
If you want a standard USB connection on your iPhone just get a Mophie Juice pack Air. Added bonus of an spare battery.
For what it's worth, I like the Apple connector because it locks into place. Obviously, I know this could be an issue if you trip over the cord, but how about we just be responsible with our $700 phone and not put the cord somewhere it can be pulled on/tripped over?
I've had a bunch of issues during the last 2 years with my BB Curve's micro-USB connector, mostly because the damn thing won't stay in the phone and charge it unless it's just right.
I thought it was only my phone, but it seems like other people (friends & family) that also have the same model BB as myself also have mentioned the same issue.
In terms of proprietary connectors, I personally don't use a specific Apple car charger; I use a Stanley 110 W power inverter that also gives me a standard power port in my car, and I use my phone's USB cable to connect whatever phone I have to the USB port on the inverter. It's a heck of a lot easier than buying a new car charger every time I get a new phone.
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-PC1A09-Power-Inverter-Outlet/dp/B001U04MYE
Can also do something like this if you don't need/want the 12V outlet:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/e24a/
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I think a mag-cable like on my MBP like some mentioned would be cool, only issue is you'd have to buy completely new adapters etc for every like for car chargers, car docks (I have two different ones, 1 for Android 1 for iPhones) that plug in and charge the phones and have an FM transmitter etc for traveling).
Yes, its true. My iPhone/Ipod touch don't work with some older devices with the dock connector.
Look at all the dock connector accessories out there. Where's the selection of equivalents for other devices?
Look at all the car stereos with iPhone/iPod interfaces that both charge the device and carry audio (fully digital in some cases) to the head unit as well as control the device from the head unit.
Further, the dock connector allows for a locking connection which is a must for the iPod in my car. I had a dock connector cable that didn't lock and it constantly worked loose. Switched to a locking connector and that's no longer a problem.
If a universal connector is a priority for you then you failed in doing the proper research before making your purchase. There are plenty of other options out there with standard micro and mini USB connectors. There are always pros and cons to every decision out there. The dock connector has enabled a wide variety of accessories for Apple's devices. It certainly has its drawbacks but standard connectors have their own pros and cons as well. You need to sort out where you're willing to compromise.
Of course they do. Stop assuming that if you don't do something that no one else does. It's an ignorant and rampant discussion forum meme. I could say that since I find the dock connector extremely useful that standard connectors are pointless. However, I don't as that would also be an ignorant statement.
You can get accessories that combine the two into a dock connector such as the LiquidAux. Your car isn't the limiting factor. Even if it was, there are aftermarket kits or you can replace your head unit with one that has a built in interface.
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Apple dock cable stays into place if charging and using.
Mini USB cable typically just falls off devices.
Never had problem with any iPod or iPhone dock cable.
Mini USB cable typically just falls off devices.
Never had problem with any iPod or iPhone dock cable.
My primary point of concern is that the 30 pin connector seems more fragile than the standard connectors I've worked with in the past.
These types of comments crack me up.
You do realize that just about every head unit that is iPod/iPhone compatible, takes the 30 pin connector down to a standard USB 2.0 connection.
My Kenwood head unit can control my iPod, read and display all the playlists, song titles, artists, etc and even charge it, all through a standard USB 2.0 port.
The cable that comes with every iPod/iPhone/iPad provides no special features over a standard USB cable.
It all gets converted to a standard USB connection on the other end.
Even iTunes only needs/uses a standard USB connection to fully manage an iPod/iPhone/iPad.
Only devices with full 30 pin to 30 pin connections can take full advantage of the additional input/output capabilities of the device.
To my mind, a connector that is compatible between Macs and iPhones would be ideal, and dispense with the need to carry two chargers when travelling. Not sure it is feasible as the Mag Safe is for power only, but would be good if it could be done.
Others have said how limited the USB is, I found the break down of what all the pins do in this tread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1072301/
Apple Dock Connection List:
1. Ground (-)
2. Audio and Video ground (-)
3. Line Out - R (+) (Audio output, right channel)
4. Line Out - L(+) (Audio output, left channel)
5. Line In - R (+)
6. Line In - L (+)
7. unknown
8. Composite video output
9. S-Video Chrominance output
10. S-Video Luminance output
11. Serial GND
12. ipod sending line, Serial TxD
13. ipod receiving line, Serial RxD
14. NC
15. Ground (-)
16. USB GND (-)
17. NC
18. 3.3V Power (+) Stepped up to provide +5V DC to USB on iPod Camera Connector.
19. +12V Firewire Power 12V DC
20. +12V Firewire Power 12V DC
21. Accessory Indicator/Serial enable
22. FireWire Data TPA (-)
23. USB Power 5 VDC (+)
24. FireWire Data TPA (+)
25. USB Data (-)
26. FireWire Data TPB (-)
27. USB Data (+)
28. FireWire Data TPB (+)
29. FireWire Ground
30. FireWire Ground
No special features? Look at the list above, and not to mention USB is analog.
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Yeah, they removed FireWire from their newer products and a lot of the accessories used FireWire so the two wouldn't work.
Again... those "features" only work on a 30 pin to 30 pin setup, or a custom wired cable.Primejimbo;[URL="tel:14115580" said:
The 30 pin to USB cable that ships with all iPods, iPhones and iPads only uses a small portions of those.
None of the digital audio or video features are used when connected to the standard cable.