Up-close pics of new iPhone 9-pin dock connector, same size as micro-USB

3. Corpsemaker posted on 08 Sep 2012, 23:53 4 0

*doesn't

4. 305Bucko posted on 09 Sep 2012, 00:08 26 1

Best answer: Cuz its Apple

11. -box- posted on 09 Sep 2012, 00:48 6 1

So they can sell $30 proprietary connectors (or adaptors) instead of adopting the international STANDARD like everyone else. I'm still surprised they gave in to USB for the mac line and didn't try to keep FireWire going. Then again, they're getting to the point of having almost no ports anymore, except DisplayPort which doesn't have enough peripherals out to justify its existence

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15. frydaexiii posted on 09 Sep 2012, 02:06 7 0

$30? You wish, more like $50

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37. MeoCao (unregistered) posted on 09 Sep 2012, 05:02 4 0

"why don't apple use microusb like any other manufacturer"

B-c this a key to Apple's closed garden.

52. nnaatthhaannx2 posted on 09 Sep 2012, 12:06 0 0

LOL!!

6. PhoneBug posted on 09 Sep 2012, 00:14 6 0

Proprietary accessories maximize profit, especially now that Apple will not allow third party manufacturers to sell them.

7. rusticguy posted on 09 Sep 2012, 00:21 7 0

Patented designs as usual with rounded corners here also :D

30. ogy_dogy posted on 09 Sep 2012, 04:06 5 0

try telling that to the chinese :D

8. neutralguy posted on 09 Sep 2012, 00:37 3 0

same thoughts here. :))

9. CharlieAtInfinity posted on 09 Sep 2012, 00:40 5 1

Apple fans wont buy it if they make it micro USB, ifans love being exclusive from what i've seen

10. rusticguy posted on 09 Sep 2012, 00:45 4 1

How do they eat iMEALS? lol....

12. -box- posted on 09 Sep 2012, 00:50 4 0

I think they convince themselves to feel that way (or apple does somehow) so they don't feel like complete fools spending $30 on adaptors and cables that should cost under $5

19. parvsingh05 posted on 09 Sep 2012, 02:49 0 2

because it may be some what better or dsnt want to be in any lawsuit.

47. -box- posted on 09 Sep 2012, 11:39 0 0

It's an international standard, so I couldn't imagine there being any lawsuit.

As for better, there is that possibility, as this seems to have more total pins, but, if as the article stated, only one side works at a time, then there's no advantage other than not having to worry about plug orientation, which I do somewhat understand as it's kind of an annoyance as manufacturers have different up/down orientations of their MicroUSB ports, even within the same compnay (i.e, my Nokia C7 and 701's USB port's "up" is towards the face of the phone, as was my Sensation 4G, but my Lumia 900 has the "up" towards the back of the phone, which I dislike but isn't a major problem), and the plug isn't so severely different to differentiate between one side or the other in the dark (i.e. charging phone overnight).

That said, this doesn't appear to have any strong measure for securing the plug to the device when plugged in, the way that MicroUSB does with the little divot-like prongs that keep the plug securely attached until a fair amount of pulling force is exerted on it. I can (but don't) pick up any of my phones by the attached MicroUSB cable and they can stay attached. I don't recommend doing that, but it's a possibility. This apple plug (if real) doesn't seem to have that capability

56. Evil.Bunny posted on 09 Sep 2012, 13:27 0 0

it might be a mag-safe connector...as far as i know, apple considers even the finest of details so they might have a way to keep it in place.
who knows? apple might have actually "innovated" something new for a change to hold it in...

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20. E.N. posted on 09 Sep 2012, 03:03 1 4

To be honest, I think its a smart move not to use the micro-usb like the other manufacturers. The second they move to the micro-usb is the second they open the door for iPhone specific accessories (stereos/music players, alarm clocks, medical devices, etc) to work with any and every device in the market.

I could be wrong, but I don't think its about making money. I think it's more about keeping iPhone-specific accessories iPhone specific.

58. GoodFella posted on 09 Sep 2012, 14:30 0 0

"I could be wrong, but I don't think its about making money."

You are wrong. Apple, a half Trillion Dollar Company, is about making money. End of story.

61. E.N. posted on 09 Sep 2012, 20:01 1 0

Well when it comes down to it, that's the goal of any business right? Let's try real hard not to forget that, ok?

But as for decreasing the size of the connector and the SIM card slot, I don't think making direct profit from the changes is their primary goal. I think they want to make the device thinner and smaller, making the iPhone more appealing, which means selling more units, and then making more money.

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64. GoodFella posted on 10 Sep 2012, 03:18 0 0

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten that at all. And, I'm 100% ok with companies making money for profit...as much as they possibly can. However, I believe that is the complete intention of making proprietary parts. If the ports are the same size, your argument about space or saving space is moot.

There is no reason to not change the port to micro USB, other thank making money (and helping accessory manufacturers make hand over fist).

I don't have a problem with them going this routes, but people need to see it for what it is... Making more $$$.

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67. E.N. posted on 10 Sep 2012, 07:19 1 0

I don't know what happens in Apple head quarters, so you could be right.... and you could also be wrong. From a business standpoint, adopting the micro USB port would be the stupidest move in the world. There are so many 3rd party companies that build accessories exclusively for the iPhone/iPad (and from my understanding, Apple doesn't make any money from them if its bought outside their website).

The moment they announce the micro USB will be the moment that exclusivity vanishes. They already have a very strong ecosystem of iPhone/iPad/iPod accessories, so why would they even think about giving that up?

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34. x88yunkw posted on 09 Sep 2012, 04:27 4 0

becoz of $

39. rf1975 posted on 09 Sep 2012, 05:25 1 0

Do not wory, if Apple is going to sell iPhone 5 in EU countries then they have to give customer a free micro USB / Dock adapter for free. because of European Union standards for smartphone chargers.

40. rf1975 posted on 09 Sep 2012, 05:27 2 0

but i like the idea "The 8 pins are in the same position on both sides of the plug which indicates that the plug does not need to be oriented any specific way when inserting it in to the newest generation iPhone".

44. fanboy1974 posted on 09 Sep 2012, 08:51 1 0

Because Apple knows iPhone users will pay for new cables, adapters, accessories and boom boxes. Apple is not Amazon. Apple operates on a hardware profit model.

25. E.N. posted on 09 Sep 2012, 03:22 2 5

The iPhone out of the box comes with the USB cable and the power adaptor, which is everything you need. And does Apple even make money from 3rd party accessories?

I think Apple's "real motivation" is to make the device thinner and its parts smaller. I think this should have been done a long time ago so I don't really get why we're all complaining. Oh right, this is Apple-related, nvm.

27. joey_sfb posted on 09 Sep 2012, 03:31 4 1

Making money is apple only intention.

Current micro USB is smaller then what we are seeing on the pic so it better be faster or else its just another of apple money grabbing scheme.

53. Doakie posted on 09 Sep 2012, 12:34 0 0

Lol. Initially I read "Apple retarded" and not "Apple related."

55. mas11 posted on 09 Sep 2012, 13:27 0 0

Apple will make money by selling all those overpriced adapters.

26. rusticguy posted on 09 Sep 2012, 03:30 2 0

This is known as iPickpocket at will :)

45. JessJess (unregistered) posted on 09 Sep 2012, 09:45 0 0

Adapter.

50. -box- posted on 09 Sep 2012, 11:47 0 0

Which will, from apple's history, cost at least $29.99. I could buy probably 2 dozen MicroUSB cables and have them shipped to my house for that much. Granted they're from China, but that's where all iDevices and Mucks are made so I guess there isn't a stigma with that.

33. ogy_dogy posted on 09 Sep 2012, 04:11 1 1

Innovation my friend.. inovation... lol

41. Non_Sequitur posted on 09 Sep 2012, 06:29 1 0

Yeah, but people buy TONS of other accessories for their iDevices like speakers, HDMI output cables, and a LOT more. These are all pretty expensive, especially things like the speakers.

51. -box- posted on 09 Sep 2012, 11:49 1 1

They're expensive because the manufacturers know the iFools will pay that much for them. I look forward to NFC being the universal standard. No cables or adapters then!

66. GoodFella posted on 10 Sep 2012, 03:25 0 0

Why a lawsuit? Who on earth would have a right to sue a company because the said company chooses to go with their own proprietary charging port? Doesn't make any sense to me.

I could care less for Apple, and I have chosen not buy their products anymore. They don't force you to buy anything of theirs, it's your choice. You vote with your wallet.

Most lawsuits are frivolous and are not warranted.

70. Fallout09 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 08:48 0 0

What good is a tunderbolt connector when Apple "borrowed" the wireless sync feature? Who connects their devices via cable other then to charge the device?