iPod Why are iPods so fickle when it comes to cables?

[komatsu]

Why are iPods so fickle when it comes to cables?

In all my time dealing with technology in about 3-4 % of the time a device will not work because of a
defective with cable.

But with iPods I notice the what cable you use seems to be important. I recently bought a new cable branded "GP" (for those who don't know them, they have been around for the 30 years making very good quality batteries and other peripherals). This cable actually looks and feels much better quality than the original cable supplied by Apple. But sometimes it just does'nt work. Then you connect it the original cable and it works fine.

The exact same thing happened with my last iPod, some third party cables (again from quality manufacturers) were hit and miss whether they would work or not.

I mean what are Apple playing at here? How can they make devices which are so dam fussy? A cable is just a cable right?

 

[gnasher729]

The brand doesn't matter that much. You can go on Amazon and buy genuine Apple cables, and apparently there is a 90% chance that what you get is _not_ an Apple cable.

But seriously, you are blaming Apple about third party cables not working? A quality cable is a quality cable, but a cable is not a quality cable. Apple publishes very precise specs about the connectors on both sides; if the manufacturer can't follow these specs and / or uses wires that don't actually reliably connect one end of the cable with the other, then it's nonsense to blame Apple for it.

 

[elf69]

In newer cables is there not a chip somewhere?

I only ask as when apple updated to certain IOS all our cables in our shop became useless and we had to buy more of newer type.

So bad chip

 

[akash.nu]

Yes there's a chip inside the cables and manufacturers need to have a certain standard to satisfy the MFI certification which is also something they need to pay for. So no - "a cable is NOT just a cable"

 

[elf69]

I'm currently using poundland cables with my iphone and all good.

 

[akash.nu]

I'm currently using poundland cables with my iphone and all good.

If your iPhone stops working then don't go to Apple complaining.

 

[elf69]

It works and charges fine.

The apple cable is too short so got this one.

It did say apple certified on packed and cost more than £1

 

[akash.nu]

It works and charges fine.

The apple cable is too short so got this one.

It did say apple certified on packed and cost more than £1

Really won't believe that. The MFI certification is not cheap and I don't think any manufacturer that has got it will try and sell their product for just £1.

 

[elf69]

Nope it said cost MORE than £1

Actually £6.99 to be exact!

Think was "LMS Data" brand from memory.

 

[akash.nu]

Nope it said cost MORE than £1

Actually £6.99 to be exact!

Think was "LMS Data" brand from memory.

Never heard of them. I'd recommend to get an amazon basic variant which are reliable and 2 metres long as well. I've been using since 2 years now and they're solid.

 

[elf69]

LMS Data is what we sell at work as well.

long time supplier to trade.
I been working in a computer retail/repair shop since 2006.

Sturdy cables plus they have the correct chip in them.
We had replace a batch of lightning after an IOS update as chips no longer worked.

New batch works right up to current IOS.

only bought in poundland as we ran out at work.

I have several LMS Data 30 pin connectors for my 4th gen Ipod and my finacee ipod shuffle.
white, red, yellow and my fiancee has a pink one.

2-3 years on still going strong.

outside of trade not heard of much, but my supplier tells me alot of own brand cables (for bigger companies) are actually LMS data ones.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

WHAT'S AN IPOD???

 

[komatsu]

Yes there's a chip inside the cables and manufacturers need to have a certain standard to satisfy the MFI certification which is also something they need to pay for. So no - "a cable is NOT just a cable"

Ok, so this might be the root of all the issues with 3rd party cables.

Anyone know what the chip does?

(Apple are beginning to make Microsoft look like an open source company at this stage. I never thought I would say that!)

 

[Scepticalscribe]

WHAT'S AN IPOD???

My constant companion when I travel anywhere or am working abroad for long periods of time.

 

[akash.nu]

Ok, so this might be the root of all the issues with 3rd party cables.

Anyone know what the chip does?

(Apple are beginning to make Microsoft look like an open source company at this stage. I never thought I would say that!)

When was Microsoft closed?!

On a separate note, the chip modulates voltage input and also that's the chip that confirms with the device that it's an authentic apple certified connector.

 

[Smellmet]

WHAT'S AN IPOD???

One of the best products Apple ever made.

 

[mpetrides]

I actually have had better results with Amazon Basics branded Lightning cables than with Apple branded ones. The Lightning plug on the Amazon cables seems to be a hair thicker than the Apple plug, so it makes a snugger fit, which seems especially important on devices that have been used for years like my iPod nano and iPad mini 2nd gen. I'm thinking that years of mating/unmating have loosened the jack and the thicker plug on the Amazon cable simply makes better contact.

 

[LloydChiro]

I'm also checking in from the future, and just for the record, Apple still sells iPods. http://www.apple.com/ipod/