It sounds like people are bidding on this more as a collectable work of art rather than as a functional device.
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iPhone X Modded With USB-C Port Listed on eBay With Bids Topping $99,000
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They aren’t real bids. I’ll be genuinely shocked if the transaction(s) ever completed.
What is special about this? Do people actually believe apple can’t make an iPhone with a usb c port?
They choose not to… is just a port. I really don’t get the big deal besides having another cable.
They choose not to… is just a port. I really don’t get the big deal besides having another cable.
Insane amount!! On the other hand, iPhone X could be sold at high amounts in auction in the future considering it is Apple's first ever "all screen" iPhone with FaceID
They are allowed to. But they haven’t. USB C is the better option right now. Apple had the chance to make a clean switch with the iPhone X and chose not to, and at this point there’s no reason to keep lightning around other than control and greed.
Some rich people have a lot more money than sense. I think we should put a limit on wealth and everything they make above a certain amount should go towards building an harmonious, educated society with a ton of green spaces. The limit can be high enough so that people can still be foolish with their money but not so high that they can just sit there laughing at everyone and everything.
Earlier this week, robotics student Ken Pillonel shared a video explaining how he modded an iPhone X with a functional USB-C port in place of the usual Lightning connector. The USB-C port works for both charging the iPhone and data transfer.
Pillonel also put the device up for auction on eBay, and bids are already topping a whopping $85,000. The listing describes the device as "the world's first USB-C iPhone" and a "true piece of collection for any Apple fanboy out there."
Bids are being accepted until November 11, with estimated delivery by late December. Pillonel said anyone who bids on the iPhone X agrees that they will not restore, update, or erase the device, will not open the device, and will not use it as their daily device. He also cautions that the modded iPhone X is "just a prototype."
The winning bidder will receive the iPhone X with 64GB of storage in its box, without any accessories included. Pillonel is also offering a 30-minute phone call with the winning bidder should they have any questions about the device.
While many have called on Apple to add a USB-C port to the iPhone, the device continues to use Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. Apple has adopted USB-C for some iPad models over the years, including the new iPad mini released in September.
(Thanks, Martin Nobel!)
Article Link: iPhone X Modded With USB-C Port Listed on eBay With Bids Topping $85,000
It’s not that hard to modify. I’ll get it done if anyone wants to make group buy. How about $10,000.00 USD/pc?
Oh. I suppose this is for the 1TB configuration?
.
This, in truth, holds weight. And it had an entirely unique form factor from all precedent and subsequent iPhones.
I still believe there is something shady and fake about the device being auctioned. For example: being unable to restore the phone puts us in an awkward position regarding Keyloggers and other malware that could easily yield more value to the supposed student that made the device.
He also created the listing in a way that’s scripted so obviously with an original intent to sell. A more reasoned approach would have someone a bit more humble present it. Anyway.
While Apple makes some money from the MFI program, that's unlikely the reason they've kept it. When they moved from 30-pin to Lightning, many people yelled "cash grab! ah, now I gotta buy new cables!", and the iPhone is their high-volume product, so I think they're more hesitant about switching ports up. Also, USB-C was kind of a mess for a long time, and in some ways it still is. Granted, it's way better than it was a few years back, but all the various flavors and speeds of USB-C is a potential quagmire to deal with. That said, I still wish they would have gone USB-C back with the iPhone X.
He did what Apple doesn't want to do. There's a difference.
That is the core of the problem. A standard connector makes sense, but at the very least bump the transfer speed from the ancient USB 2 standard.
I’ve only done it to back up my phone before resetting it. But my phone also can’t shoot ProRes. It’s weird how Apple supports this super high file size video and has crazy fast processors and storage on the phones and laptops, but to transfer it you need to use a technology from 2012.
If you push one button and open the link you'll read this, "...So basically you can do whatever you want with it but don't expect anything from me if you break something. It is just a prototype." which is sensible because if you try to update the iOS, there's a fair chance that it gets bricked and he isn't liable.
TL;DR - Media (Macrumors) manipulates in many ways
Totally worth spending $85,000 instead of getting a $15 lightning cable.
And come on, where is there any innovation here? Sure, he did it. Good for him and kudos, but it's not some major feat. I mean, Apple themselves could easily start putting USB-C on their phones, they just aren't doing it. So it's not like this kid is showing them how to do it. They KNOW how to do it...they just aren't.
And come on, where is there any innovation here? Sure, he did it. Good for him and kudos, but it's not some major feat. I mean, Apple themselves could easily start putting USB-C on their phones, they just aren't doing it. So it's not like this kid is showing them how to do it. They KNOW how to do it...they just aren't.