Reuters Confirms a Smaller Dock Connector and Relocated Headphone Jack on Next iPhone

[VenusianSky]

Why can't they just use micro-usb... It's all about maximising profits, isn't it.

They could, but they would have to drop support for HDMI cables, or also put an HDMI connector on it. HDMI uses more pins than USB (which I forgot about in a previous post ) Well, HDMI is wired for high bandwidth (19 pins), but if the iPhone actually needs that much is the question. I'm not sure how many connectors are needed to push 1080i video and audio through. Maybe only 5 or 6?

 

[charliecc]

I assume from this you'll be buying the next iPhone.

 

[morespce54]

Earhone on the bottom? Cumbersome.

I must say I'm not a fan of changes for the sake of changes and that I don't really know why they would bother changing the dock connector beside to help 3rd party to make even more money, but when they say "to make room for the headphone at the bottom", I'm puzzled...

I always though that headphones at the top was a major point compare to the iPod...

 

[Bezetos]

I always though that headphones at the top was a major point compare to the iPod...

I don't understand this point of view. It has been proven numerous times that headphones at the bottom is a more ergonomic and comfortable solution. Describing headphones at the top as an advantage baffles me.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I must say I'm not a fan of changes for the sake of changes and that I don't really know why they would bother changing the dock connector beside to help 3rd party to make even more money....

Jumping to conclusions a bit, no? If not please point to a legitimate news story stating definitively that Apple is pushing the smaller dock connector just for the heck of it and/or to help partners make easy money, and not to aid in better iDevice design or because functionality Apple wants to add can't be handled by the current connector.

 

[StealthGhost]

Oh boy, two dock connectors! Thank god Android isn't fragmented at all.

Which fragmentation is that exactly?

You must mean hardware! Well we're talking about dock connectors and 99.99% of Android use microUSB so that can't be it. Hardware fragmentation that allows you a choice (eww evil, hiss hiss!) in what size and shape phone/tablet you want and allows you to have the latest and greatest hardware available (but who needs a decent sized screen and 4g/LTE anyways??)

No? Must mean software then! Android is soo fragmented, they mostly run TWO different versions! I'm glad all iPhones run iOS 5. Wait they don't? Crap... Well, the ones that do sure have every feature!! Isn't that right Siri on my iPad 3rd gen? Are you there Siri? Hello? Well, they call it iOS 5 so it can't be fragmented, even if it doesn't give you all the features on every device! I KNOW! I SOLVED IT! We'll just update every Android phone to the latest OS! No new features will be added but we'll just CALL it the latest OS. I'm just glad that it's entirely Android's fault and not the carriers and manufacturer's fault that they don't update their phones. If only there was a way to get that pure Android experience on a ~yearly update cycle (just like the great iOS!), we'd call it Nexus but it only exists in theory obviously.

 

[Bezetos]

They could, but they would have to drop support for HDMI cables, or also put an HDMI connector on it. HDMI uses more pins than USB (which I forgot about in a previous post ) Well, HDMI is wired for high bandwidth (19 pins), but if the iPhone actually needs that much is the question. I'm not sure how many connectors are needed to push 1080i video and audio through.

You could easily replace the current connector with two standard-compliant ones, micro USB and micro HDMI, and still save space.

 

[wovel]

It's a shame Android started out where it did. The top end devices that are now running ICS or JB are far superior to the iPhone, but past deficiencies in Android have caused this point of view.

The only thing going for the iPhone now is the quality of it's apps.

Your comment was funny. How are they far superior? Give us some metrics.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Nobody else's phone uses that micro USB connection to provide:
Analog video
Analog audio
A simple serial data connection
or any of the other features that the Dock provides.

There's a reason that there are so few accessories available for Android devices.

Just going to point out that the 19 pin connector Analog Video is going to be gone. Those 11 pins will get gone.

But reread what I said. They should add the microUSB. It could be in addition to 19 pin.
Or just go micro USB and HDMI. That covers all your bases as well.

 

[wovel]

Which fragmentation is that exactly?

You must mean hardware! Well we're talking about dock connectors and 99.99% of Android use microUSB so that can't be it. Hardware fragmentation that allows you a choice (eww evil, hiss hiss!) in what size and shape phone/tablet you want and allows you to have the latest and greatest hardware available (but who needs a decent sized screen and 4g/LTE anyways??)

No? Must mean software then! Android is soo fragmented, they mostly run TWO different versions! I'm glad all iPhones run iOS 5. Wait they don't? Crap... Well, the ones that do sure have every feature!! Isn't that right Siri on my iPad 3rd gen? Are you there Siri? Hello? Well, they call it iOS 5 so it can't be fragmented, even if it doesn't give you all the features on every device! I KNOW! I SOLVED IT! We'll just update every Android phone to the latest OS! No new features will be added but we'll just CALL it the latest OS. I'm just glad that it's entirely Android's fault and not the carriers and manufacturer's fault that they don't update their phones. If only there was a way to get that pure Android experience on a ~yearly update cycle (just like the great iOS!), we'd call it Nexus but it only exists in theory obviously.

Most of them run two different versions: True! Too bad neither of those versions are ICS or JB.

 

[brownricetofu]

New Mag Safe?

Anyone else think the size and shape of this new port looks pretty close to the magsafe 2 connector?

 

[tny]

If you think about it, the original iPod dock connector is still in use today. Though iPods and iPhones have gotten smaller, the dock connector has remained the same. It's freakin huge!

No, it's not. The original iPod dock connector was a FireWire port. The Dock Connector came with the iPod 3, and has only been USB only since about the iPod Video or so.

 

[Rogifan]

Once again, nobody is mentioning the suspect durability of the new connector. Current connector is already fragile and it feels that when my phone/ipod are on the speaker dock that a simple nudge might break the connector. This new connector has the potential to be even more fragile. :/

Yep, I'm sure that was the thinking at Apple...let's see how we can make a dock connector that's even more fragile.

----------

What they mean is that when they upgrade from an earlier iPhone to a later one, their old dock accessories then become obsolete.

They will after all upgrade their phone many times over time.

Not everyone will upgrade to the new phone right away. And I'm guessing the iPhone 4/4s will still be sold when this new phone comes out. Also, things change. We've had the 30-pin connector for, what, 9 years now? People really expect that to never change just so they don't ever have to update accessories?

 

[slicecom]

I don't understand this point of view. It has been proven numerous times that headphones at the bottom is a more ergonomic and comfortable solution. Describing headphones at the top as an advantage baffles me.

Yep. The headphone jack should ALWAYS have been at the bottom. People are complaining about it because it's a change. It makes so much more sense on the bottom as most people put their phone into their pocket upside down anyways. I welcome this change!

 

[entatlrg]

The only thing which bothers me in this design is the asymmetry on the bottom. I think the 4/4s design is one of the most beautiful things Apple ever engineered and this new bottom with headphone jack, asymmetric speakers and smaller dock looks clunky and amateurish.

Function over form please

 

[doelcm82]

Once again, nobody is mentioning the suspect durability of the new connector. Current connector is already fragile and it feels that when my phone/ipod are on the speaker dock that a simple nudge might break the connector. This new connector has the potential to be even more fragile. :/

It also has the potential to be less fragile.

Like Schrödinger's cat, we won't know until we actually do the unboxing.

 

[tigress666]

Just provide an adapter an I'm all happy and for it.

Exactly. I won't care as long as their is an adapter for the things that it would be hard for me to change out (like the thing i installed in my car radio to connect my radio to my ipod/iphone and be able to control the music through the car radio).

 

[Mad-B-One]

In regards to the connection to a computer, no Android isn't fragmented.

Yea, so you people are complaining about that the new dock connector to all the music docks etc. don't work? You know what? You get a USB cable with the iPhone as well (for the PC), but show me where there are docking stations for Android phones that work with more than one (if any) of them. Now, Apple had the Dock Connector always at the same place, the bottom of the device, and that is why it is so largely adopted by 3rd parties. After 9 years, there is a change. Boohoo. So, there will be a new one and that's it. Since the new dock is still on the bottom, all you need is an adapter. I bet most 3rd parties will come with it within 6 months of the launch.

But feel free to jump ships. You simply won't find something where you just stand your phone in and it works like a little radio station on Android phones. First of all, the USB is usually on the side. Then, it is not made for just connect and go. Sure, you can pair everything with BlueTooth - but there is no difference to the iPhone there. Same with Wireless.

My take on this is that even if USB sounds better, as long as it isn't plug-and-go, it defeats the purpose of a music dock like for a night stand.

 

[davjaxn]

Earhone on the bottom? Cumbersome.

Cumbersome? I think it makes it less so. When I am in my car and have my iPhone plugged onto the car charger as well as playing music through the stereo via the headphone jack to the aux. in, I have a cable coming out of both ends of the iPhone. Makes it awkward and cumbersome.

Also, the jack on the bottom will make it easier to pull the phone out of my pocket when using the headphones. I alway put my phone in my pocket with the power button side down. So when I pull it out, it's right side up in my hands. If I am using headphones then I have to out it the other way and fumble to turn the phone right side up to use it.

So really, putting the jack on the bottom makes great sense. At least for me.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I don't understand this point of view. It has been proven numerous times that headphones at the bottom is a more ergonomic and comfortable solution. Describing headphones at the top as an advantage baffles me.

Not disagreeing with you and in some ways I can see the logic in it. I am just wanting to know if you have any source on that.
I personally am pretty indifferent on the placement of the head phone jack. Now USB cord on the phone I like the sides but for head phone jack top or bottom.

I just want to know if you have any source on it.

 

[jclardy]

I am fine with this as long as it is easy to connect.

I despise micro-usb as it always feels like I am breaking the connector when I plug it in.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

No, it's not. The original iPod dock connector was a FireWire port. The Dock Connector came with the iPod 3, and has only been USB only since about the iPod Video or so.

I think when the poster was referring to "original iPod dock connector" he literally meant the dock connector, not how the iPod synced. The original iPod didn't have a dock or a dock connector. It shipped with a FireWire 400 cable and a wired remote.

Also USB compatibility was launched with "dock connector" iPod, which was the 3rd gen. The iPod video was 5th gen. If I recall the Mac version shipped with FW and the Win version w/ USB. There was also a combo USB/FW cable. I still have one of those. FW doesn't work anymore, of course, but USB side still does.

 

[SpectatorHere]

Seems Unlikely

I appreciate MR posting another confirmation, but I think they do a disservice by not making it clear that the video/stills have nothing to do with the Reuters story.

I don't understand the possible advantage a connector with fewer wires would provide. But, we do know USB 3.0, mini-display port, thunderbolt are all coming on the scene, so it's possible they went for a redesign (seems like they maintain the same connector and still conform to the new specs, but I'm not an EE, so I'm just guessing).

Apple has never been too much into providing compatibility with 3rd party docks. I have a Sony one, an off brand one, and then one that hooks up to my car stereo though USB (for control, not audio). Their ability to control the phone varies tremendously. So, they haven't really ever tried to support this too heavily. Still, it seems like a move that will cause some degree of customer unhappiness, and provide questionable benefit.

Two industry sources and lack of confirmation with Logitech or Apple suggests this may just be based on existing rumors.

 

[Born Again]

why not go completely wireless?

wireless charge -etc and keep the legacy dock connector for others

 

[mac.fanatic]

This has it's advantages and at the same has it's disadvantages. The advantage is that the headphone jack would be moved to the bottom! I find it to be placed in an awkward place where it is now, but that's just my opinion. But the disadvantage is that if they change the pins, would you be able to charge an older iPhone with the new charger? What about charging the new iPhone with the old charger?