iOS 7 Beta Warns Users When Using Unauthorized Lightning Cables and Accessories

[slapple]

Even the official Apple accessories are not always reliable:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4127

https://www.apple.com/support/usbadapter/exchangeprogram/

 

[ArmCortexA8]

Translation:

We know the cable you are using isn't one of ours. We won't prevent you from using it - but we might have added some special fun code to whack out your device from time to time which will get you to buy an official cable form us "just to be sure."

Apple can tweak the software to check the Cable ID and various other identifiers to see if the cable is genuine, otherwise it can be rejected completely from working at all. I support this idea, because if fake cables cause electrical issues or damage the device, Apple cannot be held responsible. Use a genuine cable, don't have the issues - pretty damn simple.

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You're "sick to death" of people buying fake cables? Why do you care? How does it affect you?

Sick of people being stingy thats why. If you paying AU$900 for a phone and upwards, why would you be so stingy on cables for your expensive phone? The genuine ones function as designed, they have the correct authentication chip as well which manages the data, device iD, and other internal data to verify its genuine. I think Apple should take this further and lock out connection if not using a genuine cable. This prevents fools buying cheap cables, that may cause an electrical fault and then the customer tries to claim this under the device warranty / hardware which will be rejected because of a third party (el cheapo) cable.

 

[brunnernathan]

I think it is a good thing to get notified. I had a connectors that was virus. It copied all my emails contacts and sent me spams...

 

[bkribbs]

I think it is a good thing to get notified. I had a connectors that was virus. It copied all my emails contacts and sent me spams...

uh... I don't really think that's true...

 

[roadbloc]

If it were just wires going to connectors, that would probably be true. However a lot more can go wrong once you put chips inside cables. For instance a whole heap of solder could really ruin your day.

So wait... they're putting mini computers in their cables? Does this have any benefits over a standard cable?

 

[mrxak]

Has anyone considered this may be a beta-only feature to warn developers that if they're testing their software on iOS 7, it may be affected by an unauthorized cable?

Remember, this is a beta. Apple doesn't want to sort through a whole lot of bug reports because developers are using weird, possibly faulty cables, and Apple doesn't want iOS developers to have problems either.

 

[alent1234]

So wait... they're putting mini computers in their cables? Does this have any benefits over a standard cable?

How else did they make it so the pins are dynamic?

Doesn't matter which way you plug it in, the pins assignments are always right

 

[samcraig]

Apple can tweak the software to check the Cable ID and various other identifiers to see if the cable is genuine, otherwise it can be rejected completely from working at all. I support this idea, because if fake cables cause electrical issues or damage the device, Apple cannot be held responsible. Use a genuine cable, don't have the issues - pretty damn simple.

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Sick of people being stingy thats why. If you paying AU$900 for a phone and upwards, why would you be so stingy on cables for your expensive phone? The genuine ones function as designed, they have the correct authentication chip as well which manages the data, device iD, and other internal data to verify its genuine. I think Apple should take this further and lock out connection if not using a genuine cable. This prevents fools buying cheap cables, that may cause an electrical fault and then the customer tries to claim this under the device warranty / hardware which will be rejected because of a third party (el cheapo) cable.

It's none of your business what other people do with their phones.

That pretty much sums up my response to your judgmental complaining.

And I do use Apple cables. But that's irrelevant. If someone wants to make their own cable, buy a generic one or see how many drops of water they can get away with dropping into their earphone jack - don't care - that's their problem.

 

[AnonMac50]

I suggested this idea myself and Im glad they put it in, because I am sick to death of people buy fake Lightning cables that may not be guaranteed to work properly beyond charging and may short out the phone as well. This naturally won't be covered under warranty. Its well known if the make of the cable is not MFI certified, these may cause damage to the phone, especially with voltage. All these fools buying $2 cables which are obvious fakes and don't have the genuine authentication chip, should be immediately excluded from any technical support in any manner if not using genuine cables.

What's it to you what people buy and use?

 

[Jack97]

even the notifications are flat

 

[Code cookies]

Maybe its because of this? http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygre...an-hack-your-iphone-with-a-malicious-charger/

Where hackers have found a way to run malicious code using a off the shelf board BeagleBoard that could be potential housed into modified dock or portable battery?

 

[Gemütlichkeit]

Get the real thing or go home. The cable is cool tech and cutting corners to save a buck is lame.

 

[BvizioN]

Can't keep fleecing customers my ass!

I've got 4, including two great travel/car retractable cables and got some for a lot of the people at work. No problems. Stop being so greedy, it's enough you're hoarding money overseas.

Bought 2 on amazon, both ended in the bin after 1 and 3 weeks. So just because it worked for you (or not worked for me) it doesn't mean the same for everybody else.

Id rather pay £15 and keep my £700 device safe then try and save few quids.

 

[XboxMySocks]

I think it's akin to the genetic vs monster hdmi cables. Yea, it's highway robbery.

For the record I use micro usb lightning adaptor that I got from china for 4 bucks shipped. Works great to charge my phone in the car.

This is also no different than my honda dealer telling me to use genuine honda oil filters, which are re labeled fram filters. No thanks.

You clearly have no idea what goes on in the cables. Move on

 

[CylonGlitch]

Bought 2 on amazon, both ended in the bin after 1 and 3 weeks. So just because it worked for you (or not worked for me) it doesn't mean the same for everybody else.

Same thing happened to me, I picked up 2 on amazon and used them for a month and BOTH of them ended up shorting out. Tossed them and purchased 2 replacement at Apple and they have been good for months. Odd thing is, I barely used the ones from Amazon, really they fell apart fast.

What Apple SHOULD do is release a $10 CHARGE ONLY cable. No syncing capabilities, no fancy switching of pins and such, just charges. That would do away with most cheap knock offs.

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You clearly have no idea what goes on in the cables. Move on

I agree with you on this, these lightning cables are super fancy, there are electronics inside to make them do some cool things. It's much more akin to buying a Porsche vs a Hyundai.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

Same thing happened to me, I picked up 2 on amazon and used them for a month and BOTH of them ended up shorting out. Tossed them and purchased 2 replacement at Apple and they have been good for months. Odd thing is, I barely used the ones from Amazon, really they fell apart fast.

What I have been saying all along - common sense. The fake ones are obviously knock-offs and let me guess if one of these cables shorts the device or causes a technical issue, the customer will talk it to Apple and expect Apple to save them. Apple will kindly say you used a fake cable, this caused the fault - pay up. Its not Apple's responsibility. Apple know these are fake because of the electronics in them, and the phone gets a Cable iD from the cable and reports it to the phone and this is store in the phone for technical reference. Apple KNOW. If you pay hundred of dollars for a phone why be stingy on genuine cables? Only MFI manufacturers have the license / ability to made these cables.

 

[CylonGlitch]

If you pay hundred of dollars for a phone why be stingy on genuine cables?

I'll tell you why. Money. If it was one cable, it's not an issue. But Here is what I buy (for mine and my wife's phones) :
2x primary charging area in the house
2x computers to sync / charge (although becoming less needed, but are now used mostly in the brief case to carry when I visit clients)
3x one for each car
2x for the office

That's 9 cables. 9x30 = $270, vs 9x5 = $45. Buying cheap cables I save $225. That's more than I paid for the iPhone. At $5 per cable even if they fail every 6 months, I can buy almost 6 times as many as I did with the original cables.

Thus my suggestion, Apple, make me a $10 CHARGE only cable. No fancy electronics, just a cable to charge the phone and I'd be more than happy to buy only Apple cables. Although, I have ended up using mostly Apple cables now. My extra car and my travel bags still have generics.

 

[inlinevolvo]

You clearly have no idea what goes on in the cables. Move on

It's magically digital. :blows mind:

 

[everything-i]

I would say this is more for alerting people who have paid full price for cables they think are genuine. If you have paid $1.99 and get a popup when you plug it in who cares, it still works and you have saved money.

 

[XboxMySocks]

It's magically digital. :blows mind:

Right. You do realise that there's actually massive technology just in the cable that allows it dynamically assign the pins of it to certain functions? Part of why it's so expensive.

 

[cRuNcHiE]

I hope they remove this as I have installed an iPod touch 5th in my car but HAD to use a Chinese right-angle, short lightning cable to get it to fit nice and clean.

When I update the ipod, if it shows this message every time I turn in the ignition I will be very annoyed!

Apple dont make a suitable cable

 

[SeenJeen]

Good, should make some users think twice about buying a $1.99 cable that might fry their device, or burn down their house.

You paid $400+ for your device, a $20 cable is hardly being robbed.

Let me guess, you're one of those fools that think that a $100 HDMI cable shows better picture than a $15 one.

 

[alexkywalker]

Adiós USB tether

Now my USB tethering ability is gone, thanks to iOS 7 beta's finicky-ness about 3rd party products.

Gotta go find the one original cable now...

 

[inlinevolvo]

Right. You do realise that there's actually massive technology just in the cable that allows it dynamically assign the pins of it to certain functions? Part of why it's so expensive.

Yes. Leave it to Cupertino to reinvent the wheel. Your concerns with generic Chinese knock offs are understood. However, I'm not much concerned considering both parts are assembled in China. And with China's complete disregard for intellectual property (combined with my disdain for expensive nonsense), I feel confident that my generic part is just as good as Apples. To each their own. I did however spend a considerable sum of money on a MacBook.

 

[inlinevolvo]

Same thing happened to me, I picked up 2 on amazon and used them for a month and BOTH of them ended up shorting out. Tossed them and purchased 2 replacement at Apple and they have been good for months. Odd thing is, I barely used the ones from Amazon, really they fell apart fast.

What Apple SHOULD do is release a $10 CHARGE ONLY cable. No syncing capabilities, no fancy switching of pins and such, just charges. That would do away with most cheap knock offs.

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I agree with you on this, these lightning cables are super fancy, there are electronics inside to make them do some cool things. It's much more akin to buying a Porsche vs a Hyundai.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised how a Hyundai genesis can smack a few of porches offerings...