Alleged Apple iPad part sports dual docking ports
Photos of a part claimed to be the back of an Apple iPad show openings for two 30-pin iPod dock connectors, which would allow the device to be docked in both portrait and landscape orientations.
The part, obtained by Mission Repair, is a metal back for Apple's iPad. It shows one dock connector in the regular spot on the bottom, as well as another on the side, which would allow the device to be docked in landscape mode.
The site came to the conclusion that the obtained part is "pretty indicative" that the next-generation device will have a second dock connector in landscape mode.
Currently, docking an iPhone or an iPad with an official dock connector from Apple requires the hardware to stand in portrait orientation. This angle is not ideal for some tasks, such as watching a widescreen movie.
If the pictured component is legitimate, it's unknown whether it is a part from an upcoming next-generation iPad, or if it is an unused concept from an early prototype before the iPad was introduced early this year.
Apple has also shown interest in allowing its devices, including the iPad and iPhone, to dock in multiple orientations. In addition to designs that showed dual 30-pin connectors on the iPad, Apple has also filed for patents that describe an entirely new docking mechanism.
In documents revealed this July, Apple showed interest in adding an inductive connection to the back of an iPad, allowing the hardware to charge and sync in any orientation.
The part, obtained by Mission Repair, is a metal back for Apple's iPad. It shows one dock connector in the regular spot on the bottom, as well as another on the side, which would allow the device to be docked in landscape mode.
The site came to the conclusion that the obtained part is "pretty indicative" that the next-generation device will have a second dock connector in landscape mode.
Currently, docking an iPhone or an iPad with an official dock connector from Apple requires the hardware to stand in portrait orientation. This angle is not ideal for some tasks, such as watching a widescreen movie.
If the pictured component is legitimate, it's unknown whether it is a part from an upcoming next-generation iPad, or if it is an unused concept from an early prototype before the iPad was introduced early this year.
Apple has also shown interest in allowing its devices, including the iPad and iPhone, to dock in multiple orientations. In addition to designs that showed dual 30-pin connectors on the iPad, Apple has also filed for patents that describe an entirely new docking mechanism.
In documents revealed this July, Apple showed interest in adding an inductive connection to the back of an iPad, allowing the hardware to charge and sync in any orientation.
Comments
The site came to the conclusion that the obtained part is "pretty indicative" that the next-generation device will have a second dock connector in landscape mode.
Their assumption makes very little sense.
We are likely six months away from seeing new iPad hardware. That means the next-generation iPad is probably in the second stage of a five-step process (proto, EVT, DVT, PVT/ramp, steady state production). A lot can happen between EVT and steady state production (we saw a back-cover part as well as third-party cases for a camera-equipped 3rd-generation iPod touch which never made it to market).
The fact that we are viewing this image right now makes me believe that this was an engineering sample for a rejected design of the current model.
Weird, That dock on the side doesn't look like it is in the center of that side. Maybe an optical illusion. Actually neither is the portrait one and the logo looks off center as well.
My first thoughts too. I call BS.
And here is what the iFixit teardown reveals of the shipping iPad frame:
To put it delicately, they ain't the same, even allowing for the insane idea that Apple was shipping revelatory parts to random third party repair people before their closely control wonder product ever shipped.
I think it's pretty clear that Mission Repair uses bogus revelations about unreleased Apple products as a way to drive some traffic to their site and get some free publicity.
I think it's pretty clear that Mission Repair uses bogus revelations about unreleased Apple products as a way to drive some traffic to their site and get some free publicity.
It seems that every time there is a new product announcement coming these photos begin to appear. I am not really a conspiracy theorist but if I was I would deduce that all these rumour and sightings are the work of the 'non existent' Apple marketing department.
But in the photo it does not look centered. Hmmmm!
Best!
There's a chance the concept will be real and look like this but it would be much better if Apple removed the 30-pin port and only had micro-USB for peripherals and charging. With a plug that sits into the device, there could be a thin cable to connect to the keyboard dock, which would allow rotation between portrait and landscape very easily.
In fact, i don't think the iPad dock is good at all as it allows no screen movement.
Inductive charging with wireless data transfer is the most elegant solution but perhaps not soon.
It might be a giganto-sim so you don't keep misplacing the micro-sims.
There's a chance the concept will be real and look like this but it would be much better if Apple removed the 30-pin port and only had micro-USB for peripherals and charging. With a plug that sits into the device, there could be a thin cable to connect to the keyboard dock, which would allow rotation between portrait and landscape very easily.
In fact, i don't think the iPad dock is good at all as it allows no screen movement.
Inductive charging with wireless data transfer is the most elegant solution but perhaps not soon.