New iPhone Rumored to change connection configuration

[marillion]

Of course, before the release of any new Apple product there are rumors abound, but this one, if true, could affect a lot of people's gagets in the home and office.

New iPhone Connector

I have a dock/speaker set in my office as well as one of those somewhat pricey-but-totally-worth-it Bose docking stations at home, but i'm sure a lot of people out there have plenty more iphone gizmos that could be affected by this design switch.

My long range plan has been to finally upgrade from my android POS when the 5 comes out, but I know I'm going to be plenty ticked if they don't come up with some kind of adapter I can use when my ageing iPod finally bites the dust.

 

[Kemaiku]

The only connector I have is the lead that came with it in the box, so nope.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

I have all kinds of peripherals for my iPhone. Chargers, multiple sound docks, mophie juice cases, and the like. However this is how I look at it, if this new connector allows Apple to squeeze in more stuff. Then okay, I'll just replace or maybe if available get an adapter for the things I can. Apple needs to be able to do whats best for the future of the iPhone. This maybe painful for us as iPhone users, but its something we're going to have to deal with.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

What's annoying about this, but totally Apple, is that if they are changing to a connector similar in size and function to a micro-USB port, it's NOT a micro-USB port like everybody elses is using.

 

[MacLeod]

Makes good buisness sense, it'll mean more sales for ancillary products.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'd like to see them change to a configuration that requires *no* connector. Just charge by induction, and sync over WiFi.

 

[apostle83]

I normally charge through my Mophie Juice Pack - which uses a microusb. I can sync through it, charge the phone directly through it, etc.

I can't imagine there being any difficulties making an adapter. After all, the phone has to communicate with a PC in many instances, which apple has little to no control over.

 

[Marc]

I'd like to see them change to a configuration that requires *no* connector. Just charge by induction, and sync over WiFi.

Well Sync over wifi is available now with iOS 5 and Apple is moving away from the need to connect to a computer to unbrick devices so it's already there.

 

[NebulaClassGuy]

I know I'm going to be plenty ticked if they don't come up with some kind of adapter I can use when my ageing iPod finally bites the dust.

We both know they won't.

But someone like Belkin or Macally will.

 

[FPAlpha]

I know I'm going to be plenty ticked if they don't come up with some kind of adapter I can use when my ageing iPod finally bites the dust.

We both know they won't.

But someone like Belkin or Macally will.

Exactly and that's probably all that matters.

Technology improves at an astounding rate and at times you need to make a cut and change over to a new system and probably tick off somebody who's not making the change with you and is excluded from the lastest tech.. it happens.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'd like to see them change to a configuration that requires *no* connector. Just charge by induction, and sync over WiFi.

Well Sync over wifi is available now with iOS 5 and Apple is moving away from the need to connect to a computer to unbrick devices so it's already there.

True. Now if it'd be possible to charge the device that way, that'd be even better.

 

[Gary7]

With the iPod Nano generations 1-4, the headphone jack and power/data ports were in a certain orientation. With the 5th generation, they swapped the headphone jack and data ports, putting them in reverse and making ALL existing iPod docs USELESS. Why? The 4th gen was essentially the same basic design as the 5th gen, except that the screen was slightly shorter and there wasn't a lens for photos or video.

Apple did this to screw with people and cajole them into buying additional accessories. There was no other good reason for it.

So, I'm not surprised they've decided to change the iPhone port. Why did they do this? Is there really a substantial advantage like double the data transfer or at least 25% faster charging? If not... then it's really nonsense, and just another way to get people to buy new accessories.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

So, I'm not surprised they've decided to change the iPhone port. Why did they do this? Is there really a substantial advantage like double the data transfer or at least 25% faster charging? If not... then it's really nonsense, and just another way to get people to buy new accessories.

Yes, there is great advantage to the new connector. It will allow faster data transfer but that's not the important part. The port itself will be smaller, when you're talking about the real estate of something like a phone, size does matter most.

 

[Venardhi]

They're also moving the headphone jack to the bottom where it belongs.

 

[marksound]

I have all kinds of peripherals for my iPhone. Chargers, multiple sound docks, mophie juice cases, and the like. However this is how I look at it, if this new connector allows Apple to squeeze in more stuff. Then okay, I'll just replace or maybe if available get an adapter for the things I can. Apple needs to be able to do whats best for the future of the iPhone. This maybe painful for us as iPhone users, but its something we're going to have to deal with.

Instead of what's best for the end user (aka the customer)?

If it were any other company it would be crazy to expect people to ditch their perfectly good previously purchased products and accessories to buy the latest and greatest. But it's not any other company, it's Apple. It's their business model.

So ...

We are not irrelevant. We will comply.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

I have all kinds of peripherals for my iPhone. Chargers, multiple sound docks, mophie juice cases, and the like. However this is how I look at it, if this new connector allows Apple to squeeze in more stuff. Then okay, I'll just replace or maybe if available get an adapter for the things I can. Apple needs to be able to do whats best for the future of the iPhone. This maybe painful for us as iPhone users, but its something we're going to have to deal with.

Instead of what's best for the end user (aka the customer)?

If it were any other company it would be crazy to expect people to ditch their perfectly good previously purchased products and accessories to buy the latest and greatest. But it's not any other company, it's Apple. It's their business model.

So ...

We are not irrelevant. We will comply.

You would have to imagine when they do make changes, the end result is in the best interest of the end user. If by shrinking the connector, imagine if they can increase battery size or a larger processor. They could add additional chipsets for additional functionality.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I've heard this but we'll see. Personally I think it would be a mistake because if people have to start tossing docking stations and accessories they might start shopping for new phones and the like as well.

I also don't see the advantage of a bottom headphone jack. Can anyone explain that to me?

 

[Random_Spock]

I'd like to see them change to a configuration that requires *no* connector. Just charge by induction, and sync over WiFi.

That's an ok idea for those who have access to it. Not so good for those who might not. It would be good if people had both options. It would really suck if someone's ipod died and they couldn't charge it.

 

[Venardhi]

I also don't see the advantage of a bottom headphone jack. Can anyone explain that to me?

When you put your phone in your pocket the phone naturally goes in upside down because otherwise you'd have to turn it around when you put it in and pull it out. Also when you're holding it in front of you, having the wire coming out the bottom isn't going to get in the way as easily as it would on top.

 

[Gary7]

Yes, there is great advantage to the new connector. It will allow faster data transfer but that's not the important part. The port itself will be smaller, when you're talking about the real estate of something like a phone, size does matter most.

They're also moving the headphone jack to the bottom where it belongs.

Well, it's a good thing then. But I wonder why they didn't do this in the last version (4 and 4S). It doesn't look like new technology was leveraged, just a revised design.

I would applaud Apple if they do provide an adapter so that it can work with older accessories.