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The iPhone lightning connector

Pagemakers

Pagemakers

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Mar 28, 2008
2,951
1,227
Manchester UK
Apple have just delivered three lightning connector cables to me today.

I am absolutely astonished by how small the connector actually is.

While I'm in favour of the connector I am a little bit concerned as to how it will be incorporated in future builds of speakers.

The connector is so delicate I would be unsure of supporting an iPod nano when on it let alone an iPhone or iPad.

Speaker manufacturers are going to have to come up with a new way of connecting with the lightning connector because simply replacing the current connector with the new one is not going to solve the problem.

Maybe that's why Apple hasn't released the dock for the iPhone 5 because the connector simply wouldn't support the weight of the phone.

Just wait until you see one in the flesh!!!
 
Very!
 

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Pagemakers said:
A...I am a little bit concerned as to how it will be incorporated in future builds of speakers.

....Speaker manufacturers are going to have to come up with a new way of connecting with the lightning connector because simply replacing the current connector with the new one is not going to solve the problem....
Click to expand...

Lightning is an all digital connection (unlike the 30 pin). So any new speaker setup will have to have built in digital to analog converters (unless you use the 30 pin adaptor) to use Lightning. You can't just replace the connectors. It's also likely most will use BlueTooth or WiFi (AirPlay) instead.
 
The majority of portable speakers on the market at the moment are not Bluetooth or airplay enabled.

There must be a reason for that. Cost I would imagine.
 
Pagemakers said:
The majority of portable speakers on the market at the moment are not Bluetooth or airplay enabled.

There must be a reason for that. Cost I would imagine.
Click to expand...

That is because they are analog 30 pin analog connection. This is the least expensive way. However Lightning is digital only so they must be redesigned and can't just change their connectors.
 
On the plus side, it will be great to have a connector that can be plugged in in either orientation. No "up" and "down."
 
Yes but what I was trying to say my initial post was I think it is unlikely that the lightning connector will be sitting at the bottom of the speaker that you simply slip your phone or iPod into as you do now.

The connector is so small it would barely support the weight of an iPod nano.
 
In my head I think it's about 1cm wide, but I keep seeing pictures contradicting that thought :p

Guess I'll have to see it for myself on Friday.
 
Pagemakers said:
Yes but what I was trying to say my initial post was I think it is unlikely that the lightning connector will be sitting at the bottom of the speaker that you simply slip your phone or iPod into as you do now.

The connector is so small it would barely support the weight of an iPod nano.
Click to expand...

But even with the old 30-pin connector, docks/speakers always have some kind of additional support. The connector should not be supporting the entire weight of the phone. If it is, you're probably using it wrong.
 
With the headphone jack on the bottom, would manufacturers maybe use that to help stabilize the phone when sitting on a dock?
 
I got my two cables today, too. The connector is small but it shows you what digital can bring as the 30 pin connector was so out of date.
 
Wow that's incredibly small. I was wondering the same thing as you though. How can such a small hole support a phone or iPod in a speaker dock? Plus adding the attachment seems like it may cause it to wobble more?
 
dgstan said:
But even with the old 30-pin connector, docks/speakers always have some kind of additional support. The connector should not be supporting the entire weight of the phone. If it is, you're probably using it wrong.
Click to expand...

My ihome alarm clock solely supports the phone with the 30 pin connector. I've never had a problem with it.

But yeah, I doubt the new lightning connector will be able to support the phone's weight!
 
A lot of new speakers are probably gonna end up having a loose lightning wire with a new stand/dock for the phone now I bet. I feel like there's no way the phone can just sit on a speaker dock with that tiny thing.
 
A good dock will support the phone with something other than the connector. The connector is never meant to support the phone, even with the 30 pin. That's why docks and speakers would break if they were used without the adapters for each individual device
 
I mean I bet they will use the headphone jack to transmit audio and to help support. Have you noticed that on the new iPhone, iPod touch, and iPod nano that the headphone jack is on the same side and roughly the same distance from the dock connector. That way they won't have to convert audio to analog and it will support it better.
 
Pagemakers said:
The connector is so delicate I would be unsure of supporting an iPod nano when on it let alone an iPhone or iPad.
Click to expand...
Obviously you shouldnt try this, but do you think you could snap the connector part off? It has a metal frame but its also pretty thin so Im just curious of the durability vs a simple micro USB connector.
 
You know, I was going to wait to order them but went to order a couple and they are sold out... now I wonder how long it'll take them to be available on Amazon?
 
liking how early adopters of these are saying how small they are, should fit nice into a bag with the small size of the USB connector is anyway.

Only disappointing thing is that it didn't include usb 3 when its called lightening, but of a bummer.
 
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