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Monday, August 06, 2012, 01:30 pm
Apple rumored to extend smaller Dock Connector to iPad, other iOS devices this year
Apple may refresh all of its iOS devices to include a much smaller Dock Connector that is expected to make its debut on the new iPhone next month, according to a new report.iMore, which was first to report on plans for the smaller connector earlier this year and similarly made what appears to be an accurate prediction of a September 12th date for an introduction of the next iPhone, cites the same source as saying Apple will refresh all of its iOS devices to use the same connector by year's end.
This would include the new iPhone 5, the the new iPod nano and iPod touch, the rumored 7-inch iPad mini, and an updated version of the current 9.7-inch iPad.
The information comes from the same sources that told iMore about the new, smaller Dock connector back in February, and about a mini Dock adapter to fit legacy accessories last month.
The report is the second in as many weeks to suggest that Apple could hold aspirations of refreshing the iPad a bit earlier than would be expected. iLounge reported last week that Apple’s plan for the fourth-generation iPad is to "release another relatively modest body tweak, which would keep the shape basically the same while introducing the new small Dock Connector, a rear-side microphone, and spec-improving/heat-reducing changes to the hardware inside."
The publication, however, hedged its bets against a 2012 release, pointing to Apple's historical product cycles for the product, which typically span about 12 months. The current iPad was released in March.
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Previous Comments View All
I was fully expecting Apple to keep the new dock standard exclusive to the new iPhone, and leave all other iDevices with the current dock forever. Because that would make sense.
Duh, of course the new dock connector will be rolled out to all products that have the current one, either as they normally refresh, or in the case of the iPod line, as part of a long-awaited refresh. How is this news? Also, an adapter to allow accessories to connect to the new, small dock connector will come out as well. Heck, we already know the adapter probably going to retail for $19-$29.
I still find it hard to believe Apple would introduce a refreshed iPad 3 halfway through its yearly cycle. Unless it contains only a new dock connector, there would be a lot of unhappy people--and some angry still at even that "minor" change.
This, from Bloomberg, says it best:
Apple Changes IPhone Connectors. World Freaks Outhttp://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-26/apple-changes-connectors-dot-world-freaks-out
I still find it hard to believe Apple would introduce a refreshed iPad 3 halfway through its yearly cycle. Unless it contains only a new dock connector, there would be a lot of unhappy people--and some angry still at even that "minor" change.
I don't see it happening either. IMO they'll stick with the March refresh for the full-size iPad.
This, from Bloomberg, says it best:
Apple Changes IPhone Connectors. World Freaks Out
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-26/apple-changes-connectors-dot-world-freaks-out
Yeah, yeah. A week after that, a dozen Kickstarter projects appear to sell dock adapters for existing universal docks. Otherwise, I'm buying the last iPod Classic.
Just thinking how this will screw up all the people who currently own accessories with the original style of dock connector ... external speakers, clock radios, etc.
Just thinking how this will screw up all the people who currently own accessories with the original style of dock connector ... external speakers, clock radios, etc.
Instead of introducing a completely new standard (which is not going to last anyway), the'd better get rid of all wiring altogether in favor of wireless charging, BT, air-play. A big plus as they would achieve a sealed case.
Just thinking how this will screw up all the people who currently own accessories with the original style of dock connector ... external speakers, clock radios, etc.
So they use a $5 adapter for existing hardware.
If they're smart, they'll see it as an opportunity - they get to sell new devices to existing customers. For a relatively cheap product, that's the likely outcome - people will pass their speakers and other connectors on to the kids who get the old iPhone and then buy a new, improved set of speakers for the new one.
For the expensive items (like the $1500 speaker system), they'll simply make an adapter and the problem goes away.
Instead of introducing a completely new standard (which is not going to last anyway), the'd better get rid of all wiring altogether in favor of wireless charging, BT, air-play. A big plus as they would achieve a sealed case.
The problem with wireless charging is that it's inefficient. I estimated once that using wireless charging on all the iDevices in the US would waste the equivalent of a full scale power plant.
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Shocking! Apple introduces a new standard for one device, and then expands the technology to similar devices as each product refreshes? No! (way to state the obvious iMore)