Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Why doesn't the iPod cable work like a MagSafe?

M

maclook

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 2, 2008
1,146
40
I'm waiting for the iPod cable to make the jump to a MagSafe style. The fear that I have that I or someone else will accidentally pull my iPad off a counter when it's charging is something I haven't thought about since I bought my first MBP.
Anyone else think the iPod cable (sorry, that's what I call it) should be updated soon?
 
The iPod dock cable has 30 pins in it. If Apple was to make a cable like the MagSafe, which only has five, it would be much too large for iPods and iPhones.
 
Intell said:
The iPod dock cable has 30 pins in it. If Apple was to make a cable like the MagSafe, which only has five, it would be much too large for iPods and iPhones.
Click to expand...

I guess that's why it's taking Apple so long to develop. There's no doubt in my mind that it will come sooner or later. There's an old patent for a magsafe, that looked exactly like a MB's magsafe, for use with iOS devices. I always thought it would be a magnetic iPod cable though.
 
Wouldn't this require a rather weaker magnet? iOS devices are so light that the entire thing still might go flying off the table if someone tripped over the wire.
 
Blaine said:
Wouldn't this require a rather weaker magnet? iOS devices are so light that the entire thing still might go flying off the table if someone tripped over the wire.
Click to expand...

A weaker magnet is a must. As is backwards compatibility with current dock cables and docks.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8J2 Safari/6533.18.5)

Won't happen! There is way to much money in that simple little 30pin connector for apple to mess around with it.
 
The cable carries data. You don't want it unplugging at the slightest whim.
 
cube said:
The cable carries data. You don't want it unplugging at the slightest whim.
Click to expand...

Exactly this.

Otherwise we'd have already seen magsafe in other things already.

It would be nice if the iPad had a separate magsafe power plug in addition to being able to charge it from the regular iPad plugin. A magsafe plug doesn't take too much space up.
 
Gav2k said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8J2 Safari/6533.18.5)

Won't happen! There is way to much money in that simple little 30pin connector for apple to mess around with it.
Click to expand...

cube said:
The cable carries data. You don't want it unplugging at the slightest whim.
Click to expand...

PaulWog said:
Exactly this.

Otherwise we'd have already seen magsafe in other things already.

It would be nice if the iPad had a separate magsafe power plug in addition to being able to charge it from the regular iPad plugin. A magsafe plug doesn't take too much space up.
Click to expand...

Bah you guys are right. Now watch apple introduce all new cables in this next iPod refresh anyways haha
 
I think this would be an excellent idea. I've already tripped over the power cord to my iPad 2 and sent it hurtling to my hardwood floor. Luckily it was in a case so no damage was sustained but it was still extremely scary.
 
PaulWog said:
Exactly this.

Otherwise we'd have already seen magsafe in other things already.

It would be nice if the iPad had a separate magsafe power plug in addition to being able to charge it from the regular iPad plugin. A magsafe plug doesn't take too much space up.
Click to expand...

just another hole in the device. Steve doesn't like holes. at least in iDevices. :rolleyes:
 
I think Apple would rather work on wireless charging (a la Witricity) and wireless syncing instead. You can't trip over no wire at all.
 
maclook said:
I'm waiting for the iPod cable to make the jump to a MagSafe style. The fear that I have that I or someone else will accidentally pull my iPad off a counter when it's charging is something I haven't thought about since I bought my first MBP.
Anyone else think the iPod cable (sorry, that's what I call it) should be updated soon?
Click to expand...

It's not really viable from an engineering perspective. When it's just power you're transferring over the plug, it's no problem. However, with the thirty-pin connector, which transfers over tons of different kinds of information, it won't work.

Trust me - if it were possible, Apple would have already done it.
 
LagFighter said:
It's not really viable from an engineering perspective. When it's just power you're transferring over the plug, it's no problem. However, with the thirty-pin connector, which transfers over tons of different kinds of information, it won't work.

Trust me - if it were possible, Apple would have already done it.
Click to expand...

Ya, Apple put the iPad out long after the MacBook's started using magsafe and if it would have made sense and worked well, we would have it on our iPad's right now. We don't because there must've been some kind of flaw or issue and Apple doesn't let big things like that happen.
 
maclook said:
I'm waiting for the iPod cable to make the jump to a MagSafe style. The fear that I have that I or someone else will accidentally pull my iPad off a counter when it's charging is something I haven't thought about since I bought my first MBP.
Anyone else think the iPod cable (sorry, that's what I call it) should be updated soon?
Click to expand...

Well the 30 Pin cable that comes with your iPad does break away when yanked. Sounds to me you're still using the old style cable.
 
xraytech said:
Well the 30 Pin cable that comes with your iPad does break away when yanked. Sounds to me you're still using the old style cable.
Click to expand...

My cable is brand new came with the iPhone4 if I'm not careful and say it gets caught on another cable or around my foot, then yes I can send it crashing to the floor. But Thankfully I have really good carpet in here so haven't broken it yet. Although if you yank it straight out, yes it comes out clean. Just have to be careful.
 
I recommend a dock or music player that you can charge the iPad w/ no worries of tripping.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back