Hasta La Gadget!

If you’ve always relied on places like Monoprice to deliver your super-cheap Apple accessories like cables and adapters, it might be a little trickier to use those accessories if you upgraded to an iPhone 5. It’s said that Apple’s new Lightning connector has some sort of authentication chip inside that prevents third-party Lightning cables from working.

So essentially, anything that isn’t an official Apple accessory will simply be ignored whenever you plug it into the iPhone 5. We can only guess the reason behind this is so Apple can put a lockdown on cheaper third-party accessories that they compete with. So instead if them losing out on a sale for a new Lightning cable, they’re forcing you to buy one of theirs for an insane amount of money.

Then again, the reason could also be all about quality control. If Apple’s own Lightning connector is, in fact, better quality than cheaper third-party cables, Apple may only want their higher quality components to interact with the iPhone 5, thus citing a “better user experience” as a viable argument.

Hopefully, third-party cable manufacturers can find a workaround so that we all can go back to Monoprice and start paying reasonable prices for our cables again. We’re not sure exactly what kind of workaround would be needed — possibly cracking the authentication chip code or even jailbreaking the iPhone 5 (although the issue could be completely hardware-related on the iPhone end). We’ll have to wait and see.

[via Apple Insider]

Apple Lightning cables have an authentication chip inside is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple’s new iPhone 5 comes with a completely new connector, a first since the introduction of the 30-pin model alongside the 3rd generation iPod (though that version received updates including video capabilities along the way). The new Lightning connector is 80% smaller than the 30-pin version, and it has a much better name than “30-pin dock connector.” But in many other regards, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for consumers. And yet, after a few days of frequent use, I love it. Here’s why.

First, actually, let’s talk about what’s not so great about Lightning. There’s the proprietary nature of the connector, which mostly means that it’s not based on a universally adopted standard like Micro-USB. Micro-USB, many argue, would make things much easier; the cables are already everywhere, since accessory makers and other smartphone vendors use them frequently in their products. Replacements, both at home and in stores, would then be incredibly easy to drum up.

Another problem with Apple’s version of proprietary in the case of Lightning is that there are indications this version is much more locked down than previous versions, thanks to the inclusion of a so-called “authentication chip” identified by Double Helix Cables (via AppleInsider). According to Kyle Wiens of iFixit, who I spoke with earlier today, that means users should wait and get cables only from Apple itself or from properly licensed manufacturing partners – those knock-offs on eBay or elsewhere on the web are definitely a risk.

It doesn’t help that Apple’s own cables are in short supply (2-3 week lead time on Apple’s site), and expected to stay that way for a while at least due to the complicated manufacturing process involved in their creation. That’s causing some problems for iPhone 5 owners already, and is bound to lead to power deficiency issues. I’ve already ordered a couple of backups, but it could be a month before I see them. In the meantime, look for tweets from me similar to this one:

I foresee a lto of this. RT @film_girl: I left my one Lightening cable at home and have no way to charge my iPhone 5. Sad panda is sad!

—
Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) September 25, 2012

Wiens says that users can expect Apple and third-party vendors to catch up, though he believes the Lightning connector isn’t built for dock integration in the same way as the aptly-named dock connector was, and in fact that’s likely why Apple didn’t release a dock of its own. Manufacturers aren’t likely to release the kind of one-size-fits-all docking products users have enjoyed up until now; instead, generation-specific devices aimed at the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 5 alone become much more likely.

Despite the problems listed above, the Lightning connector is a great addition to Apple’s mobile devices. Mostly that’s because it can be inserted whatever way one wants, a trick achieved (as AppleInsider explained in detail this morning) via dynamic assignment of pin function. After years of using cables that are very specific about which way they’re plugged in, spending the past four days using one that couldn’t care less has been nothing short of amazing.

You might think I’m exaggerating, but think about it this way: take the most menial, mind-numbing repetitive task you do during the day, something that’s simple enough to accomplish on a one-time basis but that has to be done about 25 times, and just get rid of it. Forget it altogether. Doesn’t that feel better? Now multiply that feeling, since it’s making its way to iPods next, and will inevitably come to the iPad, too.

iPhone 5 users should brace for a change, if they haven’t already. Getting over a technology we’ve been dependent on for nearly 10 years as Apple users won’t be easy (and could be costly in environmental terms), but Lightning actually takes a fundamental, basic part of using and living with a mobile device and improves on it, something that can’t be said for Micro-USB or any other combined data/power connection standard, and that’s worth some temporary discomfort.

No one has been particularly pleased about how the iPhone 5 is going to need adapters for old peripherals, or about how those adapters are so damned expensive. If it’s got you pissed, have no fear; the knock-offs have arrived. More »

If you were miffed at having to pay $29 to adapt your existing iPhone accessories to the iPhone 5‘s newfangled Lightning connector, fear not: Apple will throw in the first adapter, gratis. Extras will still run the aforementioned sum, which Cupertino has justified by saying the units will include chips to enable features like analog and USB audio along with syncing and charging. There’s also a $39 cable version available, but neither format will let you output HDMI or VGA video — there’s more (as yet unpriced) adapters coming for that.

Update: Well, the plot thickens. We’re now hearing reports that the above wording is a mistake, and that the adapter isn’t included after all. The information comes via a reader of The Next Web, who advises Apple sales support informed them it was an error. Of course, we’re reaching out to get the final word on the matter. However, that won’t be much consolation to those who made a purchase based on incorrect info.

Update 2: The above wording is now nowhere to be found on Apple’s site, suggesting that it was indeed an error. We’ll keep you posted if we hear anything more.

Update 3: Well, we’ve just received word from Apple confirming that the iPhone 5 will not ship with a 30-pin to Lightning adapter, which is a bit of a bummer. But, it does come with a Lightning to USB adapter, so if your current accessories have a USB port, all hope is not lost. Sadly, the specific iPod out functionality found in BMWs and Minis is not supported. The full comment is below.

The Lightning to 30-pin adapter does not come in the box with iPhone 5. It is sold separately. However, the Lightning to USB cable does come with iPhone 5 for connection to AC chargers and other devices… The Lightning to 30 Pin adapter supports analog audio output, USB audio, as well as syncing and charging. Lightning to VGA and Lightning to HDMI cables will be available in the coming months.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Apple’s iPhone 5 will arrive with a free Lightning to 30-pin adapter (update: Apple officially says no it won’t) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ever wondered whether it’s worth shelling out the extra cash for a Bang & Olufsen system rather than cheaper rivals? B&O’s free Lightning upgrade deal for the BeoPlay A8 might convince you; the company has confirmed that all existing and new owners of the eye-catching iPhone and iPod speaker-dock will get a free Lighting adapter that seamlessly switches over with the legacy 30-pin Dock Connector.

Apple’s justification for the new Lightning connector is that it’s significantly smaller than the old port – which dated back to 2003 – and is all-digital. It can also be plugged in both ways around, though that’s probably not so useful for a speaker-dock where you’re more than likely going to want to see the screen.

B&O’s dock section is interchangeable, useful foresight when the A8 itself is a hefty $1,149 to begin with. Alternatively, if you’re living in Apple’s wireless world and don’t want to physically dock your device at all, the connector can be removed altogether.

The A8 Dock Upgrade Program is currently taking pre-registration details, with B&O saying the company will be in touch with owners when it knows more on the dock adapter’s availability. There’s more on the new iPhone 5 here, meanwhile, while we also have hands-on with the 5th-gen iPod touch which has also been upgraded to Lightning, and the 7th-gen iPod nano, which also bears the new port.

B&O offers free iPhone 5 Lighting upgrade for pricy BeoPlay A8 dock is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.