"iPhone 5" Back Cover Hands-On Video

[paradox00]

Just a question for interest sake...

Why would you want analog output?

I can see this used in audio docks - but that is mainly due to the fact that Apple restricts the filesystem. It would be plain simple to mount the drive via USB and get a hold on the MP3s/AACs directly to play them back.

But apart from that pretty special use case scenario (keeping up Fairplay DRM that can only be decoded on Apple hardware) I really don't see another use case. If you have any further use for that legacy proprietary connector fell free to post it.

My TV is early 2004 and still has a USB 2.0 port and can decode a variety of digital formats. I guess this still applies to TVs...

...and on a side note. I'm on Samsung's Android flavor and just to let you know - AllShare was there way before you ever thought about AirPlay. So actually you can wirelessly stream any media from a variety of devices to new Samsung TV sets.

Do you control what TV is in your hotel room or your relatives place? I have a mac mini connected to my TV at home, that's not an issue, on the road is more of a concern.

Honestly, I wouldn't miss it much. From the start I was simply pointing out that the dock isn't just USB. It's funny seeing the different reactions to Apple removing legacy ports on the mac vs the possible removal of legacy connections on the iPhone.

 

[swagi]

Do you control what TV is in your hotel room or your relatives place? I have a mac mini connected to my TV at home, that's not an issue, on the road is more of a concern.

Honestly, I wouldn't miss it much. From the start I was simply pointing out that the dock isn't just USB. It's funny seeing the different reactions to Apple removing legacy ports on the mac vs the possible removal of legacy connections on the iPhone.

I know that the dock is not USB only. And honestly I couldn't care less.

But that is just the main problem many people don't like to see with that. Apple once upon a time was forced to hide the iPod's file system to implement FairPlay. Therefore they invented a comfortable solution for offering analog audio line outs - as plugging a boombox into the headphone jack really isn't glorious design.

That basic principle - hide the files from the user - is what laid the fundamentals for iOS and still is the reigning principle. Try to access the untouched image data of your pictures ON THE PHONE.

But putting that aside we agree to the fact that the dock connector is just useless legacy nowadays and we all could happily live with a Micro USB-port.

 

[Geckotek]

I know that the dock is not USB only.

I'm fairly certain that you do not know this. I doubt anybody outside Apple and the manufacturers knows this.

I'm not saying it is or it isn't, but it kills me how many people in these forums state things to be fact that they have no clue of.

 

[JoEw]

Exactly. My roommate's 3G digitizer (I think that's what it is called, the touch part of the touch screen) died and he replaced it for like less than 50 bux (compared to the 200 Apple wanted to "fix" his iphone).

If you are handy with fixing things, being able to take it apart is a good thing because you aren't guaranteed it will last the 2 years of a phone contract (the warranty is only good for one and like this person said, some of us hold our phones for at least as long as the contract. Hell, there are many people who don't even feel the need to upgrade when their contract is up. I could get a 4S now but I'm waiting).

And honestly, I'd say most people wait the 2 years of their contract to upgrade phones, not 6 months to a year (you gotta remember most people on here are techies so they are probably much more likely to upgrade quicker). So for most people being able to fix the phone themselves is a good thing.

Finally someone on this forum that agrees! Yep I got my iPhone 4 launch day June 2010, 2 years and counting. I want that new iPhone

 

[swagi]

I'm fairly certain that you do not know this. I doubt anybody outside Apple and the manufacturers knows this.

I'm not saying it is or it isn't, but it kills me how many people in these forums state things to be fact that they have no clue of.

Yeah - some call that mercy of the late convertists - but just to let you know my first iPods were connected via FireWire. So I know damn well that it is not USB only.

But thanks for the insult - http://bit.ly/KH5z1T

Now go and check how many of these connections you really need...but be careful, you may learn that 6 of the 30 pins are connected to FireWire - which in itself is not supported on those devices anymore. And maybe you could elaborate on how the analog audio inputs are put to use - I'd really like to know that.

 

[Geckotek]

Yeah - some call that mercy of the late convertists - but just to let you know my first iPods were connected via FireWire. So I know damn well that it is not USB only.

But thanks for the insult - http://bit.ly/KH5z1T

Now go and check how many of these connections you really need...but be careful, you may learn that 6 of the 30 pins are connected to FireWire - which in itself is not supported on those devices anymore. And maybe you could elaborate on how the analog audio inputs are put to use - I'd really like to know that.

Perhaps I misunderstood you. I thought you were speaking of the new connector. My apologies.

You should know that using the LTGTFY link is frowned upon in these forums.

 

[MacAgnostic]

I'm fairly certain that you do not know this. I doubt anybody outside Apple and the manufacturers knows this.

I'm not saying it is or it isn't, but it kills me how many people in these forums state things to be fact that they have no clue of.

swagi and paradox00 were referring to the current 30-pin dock connector.

It is well documented to have far more signals than just USB, e.g.:
Audio Line Out;
Audio Line In;
Composite Video;
S-Video;
Serial I/O;
Firewire.

 

[Geckotek]

swagi and paradox00 were referring to the current 30-pin dock connector.

Yeah, I realized that. Check the post above yours.

 

[swagi]

You should know that using the LTGTFY link is frowned upon in these forums.

Yep. That's why I used it

The general mindf'n attitude here with elitist and arrogant comments is something I sometimes tend to read just for masochistic intensions. So I just mirrored it with a ******-link

 

[Geckotek]

Yep. That's why I used it

The general mindf'n attitude here with elitist and arrogant comments is something I sometimes tend to read just for masochistic intensions. So I just mirrored it with a ******-link

So my comment that you wouldn't know what the (new) connector consists of was elitist and arrogant? I may have been mistaken about the subject, but I was not being arrogant or elitist. In fact, I'd say I was being the opposite, I was trying to call out what I thought was a know-it-all of a subject we know nothing about. That's what irritates me the most on these forums.

 

[tigress666]

Finally someone on this forum that agrees! Yep I got my iPhone 4 launch day June 2010, 2 years and counting. I want that new iPhone

I have no idea why you were downvoted so much. I mean why is it a bad thing for the phone to be easily worked on? If you don't want to work on it, no one is making you. But for those who are handy with stuff like that it makes it so they can fix it themselves for far cheaper than the refurb replacement cost Apple would charge you.

I mean I could see an argument if for engineering reasons it would make the phone thinner or be able to take a bigger battery and was a necessary evil (like when not having a battery you could slip in and out), but making it one piece just for the sake of making it one piece (and making it harder to fix) or even to purposely force more people not to fix it themselves? Why is that good? Even for the sake of aesthetics I'd say it wasn't worth it (I'd want something of actual practical benefit for the trade off, thinner means it fits better in my purse, better battery is always always a good thing).

And the arguments I saw people here giving, that oh you replace it in a year anyways, no, not all of us do. I'd say the people who wait their contract length (which is longer than warranty) way outnumber those who upgrade every year (just most people aren't on this forum, this is a very self selected group of people therefore you aren't getting a good overview of the actual market if you just look at people here).

 

[gadgetguy08]

What exactly is better about having a smaller dock connector? I could understand if it were a thinner dock connector (thus enabling a thinner device), but reducing the width just eliminates cord compatibility and reduces stability when the iPhone is on a dock.

Unless Apple has found something groundbreaking to do with that extra 10mm inside the device, it seems like a bad move to me. A huge part of the company's success is in their controlled, consistent ecosystem.

Also, the design and color are ugly.

 

[wkennedy74]

Favorite part of the new design

My favorite part of the new design is the "airphone" jack

Is this like AirPlay?

 

[swagi]

So my comment that you wouldn't know what the (new) connector consists of was elitist and arrogant? I may have been mistaken about the subject, but I was not being arrogant or elitist. In fact, I'd say I was being the opposite, I was trying to call out what I thought was a know-it-all of a subject we know nothing about. That's what irritates me the most on these forums.

Yes, because the tone of it was annoying in itself and it basically was just so off topic when we were discussing about the old dock connector and what else besides USB you nowadays use in this legacy port.

Which lead to a discussion about analog output and input. Basically you misunderstood the discussion and not even misunderstood the conversation but felt free to insult me with your choice of words and tone.

Exactly - you tried ad personam to call me out - based on facts only you produced in your mind. Sheesh - you should go for a career in journalism or politics!

 

[Geckotek]

Yes, because the tone of it was annoying in itself and it basically was just so off topic when we were discussing about the old dock connector and what else besides USB you nowadays use in this legacy port.

Which lead to a discussion about analog output and input. Basically you misunderstood the discussion and not even misunderstood the conversation but felt free to insult me with your choice of words and tone.

Exactly - you tried ad personam to call me out - based on facts only you produced in your mind. Sheesh - you should go for a career in journalism or politics!

If I'm guilty of any attitude, it's the same attitude you gave it return. So take your self-righteous hypocritical attitude somewhere else. I apologized to you the second I realized I had made and incorrect assumption and that should have been more than enough to stop any attitude you had to return. Besides, I criticized a statement, but never insulted anyone and was never elitist.

 

[LaMerVipere]

What exactly is better about having a smaller dock connector? I could understand if it were a thinner dock connector (thus enabling a thinner device), but reducing the width just eliminates cord compatibility and reduces stability when the iPhone is on a dock.

Unless Apple has found something groundbreaking to do with that extra 10mm inside the device, it seems like a bad move to me. A huge part of the company's success is in their controlled, consistent ecosystem.

Also, the design and color are ugly.

With these tiny devices, you open them up, and they are almost all battery.

If it's true that the new iPhone will have LTE, a bigger screen, and advanced wireless capabilities—all the while being thinner than the iPhone 4—any space you could save on the interior for a bigger battery would be a huge deal.

 

[rufwork]

Nice use of the word syllogistic. Too bad you followed that with a pluralization of skill spelt with a z. But... no one is perfect.

Except that that was an intentionally sardonic use of "skillz". But if I [don't?] spell it out, it's not nearly as pointed.