With Apple's iPhone 5 announcement coming up in just a matter of weeks, the rumors and leaks continue to flow in. The latest of the alleged iPhone 5 leaks are a set of photos from Nowherelse.fr, detailing Apple's rumored miniature dock connector. According to the site, the connector features a 16 pin connection with 8 pins located on each side of the connector.
Although many of the circulating rumors point towards a smaller dock connector in place of Apple's signature 30-pin connector, there have been contradicting accounts to the exact number of pins. Regardless, it's probably safe to say that you'll be needing a whole new set of accessories if the purported change turns out to be true.
We can definitely see the appeal in having a smaller connector, seeing as how Apple's 30-pin connector is several times larger than the micro-usb connectors of its Android competitors. On the other hand, if you have an older iPhone or an iPod, there'll be an entire new set of car chargers, usb cables and docks you'd have to buy. Perhaps Apple hopes to push for more Apple branded accessory sales? We'll just have to wait until September to find out.
my galaxy s2 has hdmi over usb (mhl), audio over usb, usb host support and remote control.
you dont need more pins with micro usb cause you can change functionality pins by changing resistance between pin 4 and ground
For example: Video out. Many phone manufacturers either use mini HDMI + mini USB, or they just don't support it.
I believe Apple wants it to be smaller and require less internal device space to allow for slimmer devices. It also may have different power requirements to facilitate faster charging times. Just a guess on my part.
how does this make sense? good job apple.
Umm... really?
I might be excited to see the pinout differences between Intel 1155 and 1150 to get a glimpse into what they might be adding or taking away. But I have about as much interest in rumored future Apple accessories as my wife has in the OEM part number on her HDD.
It's called an adapter. Thank you
Because USB alone will not support the ton of accessories they current have using the older 30 pin docks. Also as someone else pointed out, USB does not support audio, video, and the numerous other stuff DIRECTLY WITHOUT EXTERNAL SUPPORT as the dock port currently supports.
Umm, you can buy Apple Dock cables for $5.00 or less online and at numerous dollar store and/or budget stores. Not a big deal. If you really want an Apple branded cable of course its going to cost you...
Seriously, do you shop for Samsung or Motorola, or HP made microusb cables??????
Also, if you ever tried using a mini-USB as a docking connector... IT SUCKS! It jams, its easy to get out of alignment, etc. Compare the DB9 or DB15 or even a USB connector to the likes of a Nintendo Gamecube... which is easier to plug in or remove?
And still... how many kids of USB connectors are there? Just on my computer alone, there are 5 DIFFERENT USB connectors!!! WTF?!
my galaxy s2 has hdmi over usb (mhl), audio over usb, usb host support and remote control.
you dont need more pins with micro usb cause you can change functionality pins by changing resistance between pin 4 and ground
...
But what about the other end of the cable that is used? If it plugs into a USB port on your Mac or PC then it is a USB cable by definition, regardless of what people say about audio/video, therefore it must be a multiple use port capable of both USB and one or more other protocols, such as HDMI, hell maybe even Thunderbolt
...
I seriously doubt that they will go Thunderbolt only as the protocol as not enough computers have it yet and HDMI is an output not input, so you wouldn't be able to plug the iPhone into your graphics card to sync photos onto your PC
...
But as long as the additonal adapter (if they even make one) that allows you to convert from the new 16 pin back to 30 pin is relatively discrete and inexpensive it should not outrage people that have just laid out $30,000 on the Behringer iNuke Boom iPod dock
http://www.bornrich.com/expensive-ipod-docking-stations1.html
Really, I guess Apple and Apple fanboys never heard about MHL [1]. It was in draft since 2008 and offical industry standard since 2010.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_High-Definition_Link
um how about USB speakers and USB monitors?
There is a directive that all new phones and mobile equipment must follow the USB standard for charging. Apple was giving dispensation with it's previous dock connector because it was legacy and predated the directive. I'm pretty sure they won't get another dispensation.
USB is a standard and any USB cable will work (you dont need a specific brand).
Apples cable is proprietary and much harder to find. Not too mention USB is universal and now the standard port for every other portable electronic device out there beside apple products. For people that don't stay tied to one brand, having that extra flexibility of not worrying about comparability with new accessories is very helpful.