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Reuters Confirms a Smaller Dock Connector and Relocated Headphone Jack on Next iPhone
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In 6 months we'll all be lamenting on how huge and clunky the "old dock connector" was.
The 30 pin dock connector has been around since the original iPod in 2001. I for one am happy that Apple is changing the standard to be much more compact because they have to do it some time or later. Not to mention, 1. If they provide an adapter all your accessories are fine. 2. If you switched to android you would be replacing your accessories anyways.
Thanks, I hadnt heard of that. It looks interesting, but this is just one of the uses that Apple can make of the extra pins. Firewire is another (unlikely in the new iPhone, but would be nice).
Its telling that even Samsung, when implementing MHL USB on the Galaxy SIII, chose to use their own custom 11-pin connector. Until the smartphone market settles down a bit, its difficult to see a one-size-fits-all standard pleasing everybody.
Do you have any insight why Apple decided to have their own hook up?
Like:
Maybe they didn't want to pay any license fees?
Maybe their adapter does a few things others don't?
If you don't have any details other than ragging on something (ANYTHING from anybody, not just Apple), you do not know what you are talking about!
I'm very happy to see a new smaller dock connector. The large one of the years past is due for retirement. I am sure Apple will be glad to sell adapters though for 39.99 when it costs apple .99 cents to people just to make sure everyone is happy (and has a lighter wallet).
While I think changing the connector physically 11 years on is perfectly fine, not all accessories will be fine. Some that require a perfect size match, such as car docks, will probably have trouble.
But still, we're talking about a plug that needed changing a while ago. I have a couple of docking devices I bought a few years ago that don't charge my iPhone at all, so it's obvious that the internals have changed. I'm hoping this physical change will mean an adoption of Thunderbolt and/or USB 3 so more power can flow through the cable.
How about this: they are going to do something involving the new 100W over USB power delivery (PD) spec that was just approved by the USB 3 promotion group. Finally, an Apple USB cable (PD spec?!) worth taking out of the box...
I wonder who Reuters source is, or is it just lazy journalism and they've just been reading the net?
Apple releasing a new dock connector doesn't prevent people's outdated cables from still working, so the tie to the ecosystem isn't severed. If someone were to switch to Android, all of their previous dock connecting devices would be incompatable, but if they upgraded their iPhone they would only need to buy one adapter. The cost of upgrading an iPhone + adapter is still significantly less than buying all new products.
Even better - you don't have to justify your personal phone choice to anyone. Someone who would sit back and proclaim the rest of us ignorant simply because we make choices he doesn't agree with is at best, ignorant himself.
Maybe it has escaped you somehow but have you noticed that the new dock is smaller? Providing more space, something that is crucial in mobile devices.
Yeah I'm sure Tim Cook lays awake at night thinking of ways to screw people over and get more money out of them.
Im just fine with this too. We have cars with iPhone integrated HUs, but the cable can either be adapt-erd, or its actually modular (so USB>AppleDock) so I figure it can just be swapped out. We have an older speaker dock, that doesnt charge our phones, so we use it via cable (or BT module) and all our other devices and services: AVR, AppleTV, syncing, speakers are all wireless (WiFi or BT).
Otherwise, I look forward to potential speed and feature improvements (USB 3.0?) with the new interface, size reduction for improved device design, and +hopefully+ an improved connection feel.
Otherwise, I look forward to potential speed and feature improvements (USB 3.0?) with the new interface, size reduction for improved device design, and +hopefully+ an improved connection feel.
The article you link to lists many phones with 5 pin mhl connections.
What makes you think 11 pin is used on all smart phones with mhl?
But...
But your accessories would still be obsolete then. At least Apple will provide an adapter for you.
But your accessories would still be obsolete then. At least Apple will provide an adapter for you.
You guys actually want to use the DAC in the iDevices? I try to avoid it. USB would require different systems in peripherals, true. But in terms of sound, it should really be possible to offer better sound if USB is used. Many accessories already do this, using the digital output from the current dock connector and using their own DAC. As I recall, that made them more popular. I'm thinking the Zune or some other competitors couldn't do this easily?
No, no. The power button should have LOOKed like a headphone jack.