First Pictures of Apple's New Mini Connector

tad001 writes "The Daily Mail has pictures of Apple's new mini connector. The photograph, shared by French tech website nowhereelse.fr, shows two components, one of which is said to be similar to another apparently leaked picture of a part of the new iPhone. As well as the new dock connector, the part also seems to take in the headphone jack and the home button connector for the hotly awaited devices."

Comments

Let the lawsuits begin..

[Krojack]

for any look-a-like dock connectors!

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[cpu6502]

Quoting in your sig the worst Star Trek show ever made? Wow. And yes Apple will get sued: By the European Union which mandated a standard connector (mini USB).

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[Desler]

No they won't. They provide an adapter which complies with the rules.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[msauve]

There is no such "mandate." The EU encouraged, and some set of cell phone manufacturers voluntarily agreed to, the adoption of the micro USB connector for charging. I don't know if Apple was part of that group, I suspect not. It's not required by law, although Apple does provide an adapter which allows using micro USB chargers.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[squiggleslash]

I completely disagree that a USB controller and supporting chipset isn't an option, a quick pop into Wal-Mart will show you any number of ridiculously cheap USB devices. Hey, forget Wal-mart, here's an $8 USB keyboard: http://www.amazon.com/107-Key-Windows-Keyboard-Black-USB/dp/B0038M3YM8 (do you think the most expensive part of the $8 cost is the USB chipset?)

So, ruling USB back in, the obvious solution is the micro-USB connector.

* Line in is a standard USB protocol, likewise line out (hence those USB headsets you can get.)
* Volume likewise can be implemented by supporting HID - Volume up and down have been standard keystrokes for a while on virtually every multimedia keyboard.
* Power is a standard part of the micro-USB connector, we can charge using it.
* Video out is supported by MHL, which is fast becoming a standard in the Android world.
* And finally, controlling playback is also supported by HID, again Play/Pause/Rewind/Fastforward are part of every modern keyboard, using standardized keystrokes.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[jellomizer]

If they offered a Mag Lock type of technology, I think I would be a bit more interested. If they are just getting a smaller connector you might as well use what everyone else has.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[icebike]

So please tell me what non proprietary connector allows any old dumb device to control functionality like line in, line out, volume, power, video out, and controlling playback? This can all be done by sending analog signals over certain pins. For very cheap devices a USB controller and the supporting chipset and software is not an option.

Haven't seen any android devices lately have you....
I suggest you broaden your horizons.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[jellomizer]

I found that Enterprise was worse then Voyager. But it is a tossup.

Voyager stupid idea for a plot, but at least is wasn't a copy of Gilligan's Island (I was worried they will have a new fangle way to get home every episode and fail at the list minute).

Enterprise had a good idea of the plot, but they got too much time travel and alternate Universe crap in it. I would much rather see, much lower Warp factors. (Max warp of 3) No Klingon's, more with the Romulan War, and a little more about getting the federation together. I did like the Andorrans.

So we got Bad Plot, and did the best with it. Vs. Good Plot totally messed up.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[kidgenius]

I've been using tons of micro-usb connections for years. I've been plugging and unplugging every day, multiple times, across multiple devices. I'd wager I have something on the order of 10000 unplug/plugs across my devices. I have never broken or bent a single micro-usb connector. I know my anecdote is not very good, but if there really was an "annoying tendency to break", I'm sure I would've had it happen and/or heard about it previously. Besides, the inside piece is metal....not plastic as i'm looking at my devices.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[bjwest]

Dude, WTF? It's crap like this that require more and more control over the internet. The free and/or easy dissemination of information is going to end up ruining the profit margins of our OverLoard Coporations.

This shit has to stop NOW! We can't have the masses know just how much they're getting taken for.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[AmiMoJo]

No need for annecdotes. The spec says that the micro USB connector must be rated for at least 10,000 insertion/removal cycles.

You can buy the connectors for pennies. There is more chance of the soldering or glue holding the copper layer of the PCB failing than the connector breaking. Similarly the cable will probably fray before the connector gets damaged.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[Master Moose]

And then there was motorolla, who allowed a micro usb for charging, but insisted on having motorolla drivers and software installed on a system before you could charge it from a P.C. You then had a choice beteen the official licenced charger, or plugging it into a p.c. with their software installed. .

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[c 0xFF]

And on the other hand, you have an Apple proprietary connector that carries its own premium in cost. And USB chips are often present anyway for one reason or another (included in your microcontroller, for example).

It's likely that a low-end device would be cheaper to make for an Apple accessory, but in everything else you probably would never notice the price difference.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[BronsCon]

It's possible to push analog audio over USB (think iPod Nano). Every Android phone I have ever owned does this; you don't think there's actually a decoder in the car dock they include with the Atrix HD, do you? The dock I bought for my Atrix HD includes a cable with a 3.5mm pigtail for analog out, no electronics in that cable, it's wired to the data pins and plug shield, according to my continuity tester, and you get analog output jsut by plugging it into the phone (with or without the dock). The car dock for my HTC One X doesn't even have a connector of its own ,so nowhere to hide electronics there, either; the cable snaps into the dock and the phone slides directly into that. That also provides analog audio over USB.

The point I was trying to make is simple. If you need decoding hardware to do it over USB, you need the same hardware over the dock connector's usb pins; if you don't need decoding hardware, it's because you have analog output, which, well, every Android phone I've ever used can provide over the USB connector. In fact, it's possible to provide analog video over the very same, as well as HDMI audio and video. Admittedly, you can't use these all at once; though if your device is capable of handling all of these at once, it's capable of using the MHL protocol, which provides for USB data, DHMI audio and video, and power, simultaneously, over the 5 pins present in the micro USB connector. At that level of device, analog outputs aren't even wanted. But, of course, they can be (and have been) implemented, and are there if you want them. Over USB. Right now.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[zieroh]

That's a pretty clear violation of the USB spec. Just because Android does it doesn't make it a good practice.

The iPod Nano is the reverse -- they co-opted the headphone jack to speak USB. I realize that you probably don't recognize the difference between these two ideas, but to some people the distinction matters.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[DarwinSurvivor]

I don't see how that has ANYTHING to do with the fact that it was USB. If a company is going to surface-mount an external connector, it's going to break unless it's magnet-held contact-only (like the mac charging cables).

Re:Let the lawsuits begin..

[CAIMLAS]

It'll never happen. Do you realize how much of Apple's profits come from their (severely) over-priced iProduct-specific accessories?

They'd never give their customers that choice, because that choice will remove lock-in. Whatever it is, it's going to be patent encumbered and licensed to anyone who wants to make a product for their iAccessory.

This will, IMO, back fire. Apple is losing market share; why would a company pay a massive licensing fee to have the 'right' to make a non-standard accessory for a has-been novelty?

More proprietary apple shit

[Anonymous Coward]

Use standard USB like everyone else.

Re:More proprietary apple shit

[GameboyRMH]

Hush, don't you know that the slight functionality advantage of these stupid-ass proprietary connectors makes it totally worth it vs. having to plug in a second cable sometimes? Plus so many accessories on the market use the Apple connector that hasn't changed in yea...oh wait...

Re:More proprietary apple shit

[6ULDV8]

Accessories like my car.

Re:More proprietary apple shit

[Skuld-Chan]

My Samsung phone uses a micro-usb connector. Its only 6 months old, but I'm pretty sure other much older samsung phones use them too.

Re:More proprietary apple shit

[BronsCon]

Wait, you mean the cable that connects my iPod to my car stereo, the same one that connects it to the charger and my computer, the one with a 30pin on one side and USB on the other, provides analog audio over the USB pins? Explain how a normal USB connector can't do this, since that's what the one of the connectors on the cable, as well as the connector on my stereo just so happen to be. In fact, my Motorola Atrix puts out analog audio when plugged into the car dock (the cable for it functions without the dock, there are no funky electronics involved, just a USB cable with a 3.5mm pigtail connected to the data pins and grounded to the plug shield). On that phone, there's a separate micro-HDMI connector for video, but on my HTC One X, the 5-pin micro usb can handle data, analog audio (as in the case of my Atrix), and HDMI. Using the same voodoo that tell the connector which type of output to provide, it could also be made to handle analog video input and output, as well as analog audio input. Again, no need for anything more than 5 pins unless you want to do all of this at once, in which case your device will have the processing power to handle the USB data, so you just use that; or you use MHL, which is what these phones use for HDMI-over-USB, which includes power and data on top of audio and video, over 5 pins.

Wow

[crazyjj]

You know you're big when a new connector for one of your devices is front page news on every website.

Just use micro USB already!

[PrescriptionWarning]

Its really just bad that they insist on not moving to micro USB like basically all other phones manufacturers have. Requiring people to buy new sets of chargers, cables, accessories, docks for a new product just shouldn't be necessary with what is already available.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[Krojack]

I'm guessing that's the point of them redoing it on the iPhone 5. They figured it's time people go out and buy new cables and chargers and stop using the ones they got with the original iPhone.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[joelsanda]

Requiring people to buy new sets of chargers, cables, accessories, docks for a new product just shouldn't be necessary with what is already available.

The don't require anyone to buy anything else. The box comes with a USB charging cable and why do you need a dock? It can sync wirelessly now.It would be nice if they included the travelling charger in the box, but anyone who reads the description will know that's not included.

If people rush out and spend half again as much on accessories that's their choice. A +10 Shirt of Protection from Marketing is the only thing that will save them.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[squiggleslash]

Speaking for myself, I've never wanted to carry around anything but the device itself. Being able to have a cheap, almost disposable, charger at work that works with all my devices is the way to go.

No, you don't have to be able to charge the iPhone at work - although I believe one of the major reasons they're suing Samsung is that the Galaxy Nexus violates their "Ridiculously poor battery life" patent - but I'm inclined to think most do, and most don't want to carry around their only USB cable everywhere they go to do it.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[squiggleslash]

MHL provides HDMI compatible output over the connector used for microUSB (and can co-exist with USB), and USB itself includes protocols for audio in/out. MHL+USB over micro-B is becoming standard in the Android world. There's no reason to eschew microUSB for these functions.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[squiggleslash]

No, just the right cable (unless you consider every cable an "adapter" of some sort, but I suspect not as that would make a micro-USB cable an adapter too)

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[jellomizer]

Yea, too bad USB can't transfer data...

Perhaps it could have a Universal Bus that can send data perhaps Serially.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[houghi]

I thought there was a European law that required a standard for the charging of phones. I am sure that Apple will tell in court how their phone is something else completely and nothing like that Sony thing. They will say that it does not even look like it and the Sony is a phone and their device is as

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[Desler]

It's a standard pushed by the EU not a law. Also, Apple sells a mini-USB adapter to comply with the standard.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[Attila Dimedici]

I suppose if the only portable devices you have are IOS devices than that is fine, but wouldn't it be nice if I would not have to have a separate cable for all of my IOS devices and another one for everything else?

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[Darinbob]

Well you need a charger at home and one at work. Possibly an auto charger as well if you travel a lot.

Got a micro usb last weekend, store was selling ridiculous ones for $20 and seemed to be the only one. Until I found the discount bin with $1.95 cables that did the same thing but weren't in white. Now where can you get an iphone connector for only $1.95?

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[Anubis IV]

There are a number of valid reasons for not using USB. I'll address some of them and make a few guesses towards Apple's perspective, but I'm not interested in arguing whether or not this is the right decision.

By using their own port, they can ensure that every device/cable that will ever be plugged into it (by a sane person) will work as expected. In contrast, if they were to use a general purpose port, such as micro USB, while it would be able to connect to more devices and cables, you'd also introduce confusion as a result, as well as introducing compromise by using a general purpose solution for something that may be better served by a specific solution. Regarding the latter idea, someone far smarter than I discussed it at length just yesterday, going into detail for why this is such a good design for the application in which it will be used. He talks about why it's better in terms of simplicity, integrity, and a number of other factors than the current dock connector, but many of those would apply to USB as well.

For a few other examples that weren't mentioned in that article of why having a proprietary port may be a good idea, unlike the current dock connector, which has dedicated pins for video and audio and standard ways of supplying them, implementations of video and audio over USB are not so standardized across the industry. Some devices may support certain files or certain codecs, while others support nothing at all. Some devices that can play video may not be able to accept any video at all from mobile devices hooked up to it. There are no guarantees. When a user plugs their device into an accessory that's supposed to support video and/or audio, will it, in fact, support it for their model? The answer is "maybe". That sort of confusion and poor handling of user expectations undermines confidence in the brand among the general public, which is something that Apple would clearly want to avoid.

And if you go by the standards, USB doesn't carry anywhere close to enough power for modern devices to charge quickly for most people, so they'd already have to stray away from the standard as it is (which is exactly what they (and many other manufacturers, for that matter) have done for years with USB ports on their computers).

As I said, those are some of the benefits to having a proprietary design. Does it mean that it's worth not using USB? For Apple, quite possibly so, especially since they can still support it via an adapter, as they already do in Europe, thus eliminating complaints that people have to buy new chargers and the like. And I imagine that Apple does not see interoperability with other accessories designed for devices besides theirs as being important (or perhaps even of value), which may be justifiable, given the number of hardware accessories available specifically for devices with their current dock connector and the consistency with which they operate.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[AmiMoJo]

Don't you think not including the charger in the box is ridiculous for such an expensive product? Talk about gouging. They only include the USB adapter because the EU basically forced them to.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[Anonymous Coward]

If only there was some sort of standards organization, perhaps some sort of "Implementers Forum", that could standardize different "device classes" for this hypothetical "universal service bus" that we're discussing. Why, I'll bet you that this "audio device class" would be one of the first ones they'd specify, it would probably have code 0x01 or something.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[makomk]

I think the only ones that are still used that MHL can't replace directly are analog audio line in and out, though obviously it supports digital audio out. Remember that most of those pins aren't actually available on the iPhone.

Re:Just use micro USB already!

[c 0xFF]

Go to your nearest hotel. Most have a bin with every charger imaginable, and will often just give them away.

Apparently, people leave their phone chargers in their rooms quite a lot.

Connector Change?

[Murdoch5]

Why do people care that the connector is changing. Personally I don't anything that doesn't use a standard good old available and open USB connector. All changing the connector does is make it harder to interface to devices and objects. Basically with Apple changing the connector they're saying "We don't want our users to be able to easily and readily use our products for interfacing, lets make them spend extra money because we need to be different", this is yet another thing Apples is doing to piss me off. Just standardize to the rest of the market Apple, you look like a fool using a proprietary connector.

Re:Connector Change?

[Overzeetop]

"iOS does not compete at all with Jellybean"

Exactly - they're two entirely different paradigms for user interface. Jelly Bean is made so that you can make it work and feel any way you want. iOS is made so that no matter which iDevice you use or who's iDevice it is, it works the same. You can flail about all you want about how useful the customization is, but it completely misses the point that most of the user base for phones not only doesn't give a rats ass about customization beyond choosing a lock screen photo, but actually benefits from never having to mess with it.

Trust me - I had the uber-custom WM6 phone for a couple of years and it was just plain awesome how I could keep everything I needed right at my fingertips. Custom ROMs, lock screen information, 3D access to customized app pages with detailed configuration data, custom button mappings - you name it. I have an iPhone now, and each time I pick up and Android device to see how it is (or, heaven forbid, have to fix my mother's droid), I'm reminded of all the wasted hours of customization. Are there things I would like to change? YES. Is it worth the added complexity in my life? Not right now...maybe in ten years when I'm not as busy with, well, life.

Re:Connector Change?

[Keen Anthony]

I use both Google Play and iTunes. iTunes as a storefront is better, much better. As software, it's a gatekeeper, and I really don't like that. Then again, I really hate the concept of syncing content to my phone vs dragging and dropping onto a mounted volume. iPhones do NOT cost twice as much as similar smart phones. Similar high end smart phones are all about the same, especially when you take into account subsidies. I do not recognize budget Android phones as being similar to even my original Droid. What iPhone has going for it is the software, and software is what matters. USB hasn't been a utopia. I've got numerous USB devices that aren't compatible with each other. I've got multiple connector types. I've got cables that don't seem to work properly with certain USB devices. It's not the mess that it used to be when every phone had its own connector and plug, but really it's not that great. And it's not as if one now has to go and buy multiple cables or replacement hardware or suffer incompatibility between their smart phone and every other USB device they have. With iPhone, this will be more of a hassle though because there are a number of third party products that use the old connector including speakers, alarm clocks, etc. And these are designed to connect snuggly to prominently display the phone, so I don't expect there to be a workable solution short of an ugly adapter cable.

Place your bets of the price of adapters!

[bhunachchicken]

I'm going with the following -

1. No adapter in the box (after all, Apple didn't tell you to buy that accessory)*
2. Adapters will cost $30 each ($10 to make, plus Apple's mark-up, plus tax)**

* - after 9 months of moaning from people who say Apple have screwed them over, Apple will provide all iPhone 5 purchasers with a $5 off voucher, when ordering the adapter direct from their own website.
** - a commenter on the Daily Mail website is claiming that the adapters will only cost $5 each. No chance, sorry. How will Apple make any money off those???

Re:Place your bets of the price of adapters!

[PayPaI]

Yeah, it's not like they sell a similar adapter for $9

Seriously. The Daily Mail?

[tgibbs]

You might as well read the time from a stopped clock.