Not to be dismissive, but doesn't the actual placement of the actual Smart Connector on this iPhone (again, assuming this is even real) pretty much answer the question for you?
The placement of the Smart Connector on iPad Pro is specific and deliberate, purposefully and exclusively catering to one specific use case..the Apple-created Smart Keyboard (and any other keyboard accessory). No other application for it has come to market, except for a few gimmicky charging solutions.
The same can be expected of the Smart Connector on iPhone. It will have one specific, Apple-created purpose and Apple-created accessory (+ a litany of 3rd party mirrors).
Call it a Smart Connector and intend it for only one use-case based on the device on which it resides (and where it's placed), now that's what I call a "smart" assumption, not to be dismissive, mind you. ;-)
And yet there are some who might look at the Smart Connector and imagine what might come from it (the connector not the location), but the "smart" assumption is to look where it's placed and declare all other questions moot?
If the Smart Connector supports both data and power (as per Apple) one must assume that a device with a Smart Connector would support both data and power, meaning that the Smart Connector on the iPhone will also support data.
My money is on the side that believes this isn't merely a better battery case feature for the iPhone, but much, much more. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Not to be dismissive, but doesn't the actual placement of the actual Smart Connector on this iPhone (again, assuming this is even real) pretty much answer the question for you?
The placement of the Smart Connector on iPad Pro is specific and deliberate, purposefully and exclusively catering to one specific use case..the Apple-created Smart Keyboard (and any other keyboard accessory). No other application for it has come to market, except for a few gimmicky charging solutions.
The same can be expected of the Smart Connector on iPhone. It will have one specific, Apple-created purpose and Apple-created accessory (+ a litany of 3rd party mirrors).
Call it a Smart Connector and intend it for only one use-case based on the device on which it resides (and where it's placed), now that's what I call a "smart" assumption, not to be dismissive, mind you. ;-)
And yet there are some who might look at the Smart Connector and imagine what might come from it (the connector not the location), but the "smart" assumption is to look where it's placed and declare all other questions moot?
If the Smart Connector supports both data and power (as per Apple) one must assume that a device with a Smart Connector would support both data and power, meaning that the Smart Connector on the iPhone will also support data.
My money is on the side that believes this isn't merely a better battery case feature for the iPhone, but much, much more. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
But...you're talking about this as if the current Smart Connector on the iPad Pro doesn't exist. The FACT is that, for the current iPad Pro product, Apple has ONE purpose for the Smart Connector. One. Yes, that is true, and did happen.
You can bet on the fact that Apple will also have ONE purpose for the Smart Connector on iPhone. And given the placement of it, it is rather obvious what category that purpose will be in.
Just because the thing has functional potential for other hypothetical ideas, does not mean that those are a priority, or will ever come to fruition.
Call it a Smart Connector and intend it for only one use-case based on the device on which it resides (and where it's placed), now that's what I call a "smart" assumption, not to be dismissive, mind you. ;-)
And yet there are some who might look at the Smart Connector and imagine what might come from it (the connector not the location), but the "smart" assumption is to look where it's placed and declare all other questions moot?
If the Smart Connector supports both data and power (as per Apple) one must assume that a device with a Smart Connector would support both data and power, meaning that the Smart Connector on the iPhone will also support data.
My money is on the side that believes this isn't merely a better battery case feature for the iPhone, but much, much more. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
But...you're talking about this as if the current Smart Connector on the iPad Pro doesn't exist. The FACT is that, for the current iPad Pro product, Apple has ONE purpose for the Smart Connector. One. Yes, that is true, and did happen.
You can bet on the fact that Apple will also have ONE purpose for the Smart Connector on iPhone. And given the placement of it, it is rather obvious what category that purpose will be in.
Just because the thing has functional potential for other hypothetical ideas, does not mean that those are a priority, or will ever come to fruition.
A scene in the movie, Amélie, perfectly describes your "logic." In one part Nino is following clues around Montmartre which Amélie has left for him when he finds himself in front of a statue of a man pointing at the sky. Nino stands there, perplexed, staring at the statue’s finger when a young boy approaches and declares, “Quand le doigt montre le ciel, l’imbécile regards le doigt.” (“When the finger points to the sky, the fool looks at the finger.”)
Not to be dismissive, but doesn't the actual placement of the actual Smart Connector on this iPhone (again, assuming this is even real) pretty much answer the question for you?
The placement of the Smart Connector on iPad Pro is specific and deliberate, purposefully and exclusively catering to one specific use case..the Apple-created Smart Keyboard (and any other keyboard accessory). No other application for it has come to market, except for a few gimmicky charging solutions.
The same can be expected of the Smart Connector on iPhone. It will have one specific, Apple-created purpose and Apple-created accessory (+ a litany of 3rd party mirrors).
In the original product video for the iPad Pro Jony Ive never mentions keyboard when talking about the smart connector. He says compatible accessories. I'm assuming using the generic "accessories" was intentional. At least I'm hoping so. If the only use case ever for the smart connector is QUERTY keyboards that will be a bummer.
I wouldn't be surprised if Apple released a 3rd flagship model. They didn't add the pencil and smart connector to the existing Air line, they created a new Pro line and upped the prices. I could see them creating a "Pro" line for iPhone if they think they can add another $100 (or more) to the price and get people to bite. Maybe the Plus goes away and you have iPhone at 4.7" and 5.5" and iPhone Pro at 5.5" with the best camera, smart connector and 256GB storage. If Phil Schiller can get people to spend even more money on an iPhone and raise those ASP I'm sure his bonus will be bigger than ever.
there you go with your anti-obsession w/ Schiller again. a person im certain youve never met, and have had no interactions w/ his staff, boss, team, etc. you really have no idea what standards hes judged by. or whether he has any influence on what new phones to design, develop and produce. hes head of Marketing.
Obviously that is just a shell/prototype unit...it doesn't even have a Mute switch.
Well they got rid of the mute switch on iPads. I wouldn't be surprised if they do so with iPhones too.
i would, because the use cases for a giant tablet vs a phone are entirely different. we carry phones on our persons and into every social situation, theyre ubiquitous. for this reason it makes complete sense to have a mechanical switch for muting them at the ready, w/ no fiddling. otherwise, if you depend on people to fart around in the software to silence it they just wont do it. proof? Airplane mode on planes -- most people i observe dont even bother.
also, the ipad's switch began as a rotate-lock switch, which made far more sense for the device than the later-retrofitted mute functionality.
1) You're not going to be using an iPhone with an iPad's Smart Keyboard. For that matter, you're not going to be using any Smart Keyboard with iPhone.
2) If the placement of the connector is to be believed, it does not take much imagination to see exactly what its purpose is. What touches the back of an iPhone in this location? Cases. If this is real, then Apple is likely designing a Smart Case, probably a Battery Case, that connects to the iPhone and transmits via the Smart Connector. This is huge improvement over the existing Apple Battery Case, or any 3rd party battery case, that has no choice but to design itself around connecting to the Lightning port, which is just YUCK, and completely changes the balance and feel of the phone.
Imagine an Apple-designed Battery Case, that is barely any thicker or noticeably different from a typical Apple iPhone Case, and doesn't obstruct or interfere with the Lightning port in anyway...but magically doubles the battery life of iPhone. If that Smart Connector is legitimate, you can bank on this being where its going.
BTW, my original "stoopid" comment wasn't directed at you, but rather at an Apple that creates a universal port (implying universal compatibility) and then limits not only how you access it based on the device you have, but also potentially that certain functionality might be unavailable based on the particular iDevice with Smart Connector. That's not very "smart," perhaps even a bit "stoopid". Not you, sorry if that wasn't clear.
I'm guessing apple's product designers have thought about these problems in depth, and any solution they engineer will be smarter than our assumptions and guesses which are based on rumor sites alone. so to that end I'd bet it won't be of the stupid sort and will likely be pretty smart. we'll just have to see how much so... one thought that comes to my mind is that it only has three pins, and probably can't replace the flexibility of Lightning's multiple, dynamic pin arrangement.
I'm doubting them even putting a Smart Connector on an iPhone. And if they did, I doubt it would be anywhere other than on the edge of the phone, as on the iPad.
Firstly there's compatibility with existing Smart Connector devices. You may not see anyone using the Smart Keyboard with an iPhone, but I can, and I'm fairly sure Apple can, too. Although using the Logitech or other third party versions is probably more likely.
Secondly, the Smart Connector uses magnets to hold the connection. Not sure what the impact of putting permanent magnets like that in something the size of the iPhone. Especially that near the screen and the microphone. Without the magnets, keeping the connection is going to be difficult, especially if it's in the back of the phone like that. Even in your snug "Smart Case", there's a risk that the connector will intermittently break contact. And the tolerances on the Smart Case will have to be incredibly low for it to guarantee to make contact in the first place.
Now, the designers and engineers at Apple are certain to have considered these, and every other conceivable issue with putting the Smart Connector on the iPhone. Then they will either include it, or not, and they will choose the position that provides what they see as the best solution. But I'm still not buying any of these designs we've seen, until Tim Cook shows it off in September.
Oh, and another thing I just noticed on the photos. The Apple logo seems to be stamped into the back of the case, whereas on the current phone (and some of the other mock ups we've seen) a cut out for the NFC antenna. Makes it look even more suspicious.
I suppose it's still not definitive proof it's not an Apple prototype, but it is suggestive.
But...you're talking about this as if the current Smart Connector on the iPad Pro doesn't exist. The FACT is that, for the current iPad Pro product, Apple has ONE purpose for the Smart Connector. One. Yes, that is true, and did happen.
You can bet on the fact that Apple will also have ONE purpose for the Smart Connector on iPhone. And given the placement of it, it is rather obvious what category that purpose will be in.
Just because the thing has functional potential for other hypothetical ideas, does not mean that those are a priority, or will ever come to fruition.
A scene in the movie, Amélie, perfectly describes your "logic." In one part Nino is following clues around Montmartre which Amélie has left for him when he finds himself in front of a statue of a man pointing at the sky. Nino stands there, perplexed, staring at the statue’s finger when a young boy approaches and declares, “Quand le doigt montre le ciel, l’imbécile regards le doigt.” (“When the finger points to the sky, the fool looks at the finger.”)
Stop looking at the finger.
It's really obnoxious when I take the time to respond to you with important facts, and you come back with a movie reference instead of acknowledging any of the undeniable points that I've made.
1) Has Apple released any Smart Connector accessory besides the keyboard? No. 2) Has any 3rd party made good use of the Smart Connector with anything other than a keyboard or a stand? No. 3) Is fair to say, from the overwhelming evidence, that Apple's placement of the Smart Connector on iPad is for the benefit of the Smart Keyboard? Yes. 3) Is there any indication whatsoever (outside of our imaginations) that the Smart Connector on iPad is going to be used for anything else? No.
Those are indisputable facts that you don't seem to want to acknowledge.
Lets keep going:
1) (If true) The iPhone, or at least one iPhone model, will have a Smart Connector on its lower back. Yes. 2) This placement is deliberate. Yes. 3) This placement will lend itself to a particular use-case, most like 1 very specific use case. Yes.
Once you get to this point, it doesn't take much to understand what that specific use case is.
A scene in the movie, Amélie, perfectly describes your "logic." In one part Nino is following clues around Montmartre which Amélie has left for him when he finds himself in front of a statue of a man pointing at the sky. Nino stands there, perplexed, staring at the statue’s finger when a young boy approaches and declares, “Quand le doigt montre le ciel, l’imbécile regards le doigt.” (“When the finger points to the sky, the fool looks at the finger.”)
Stop looking at the finger.
It's really obnoxious when I take the time to respond to you with important facts, and you come back with a movie reference instead of acknowledging any of the undeniable points that I've made.
1) Has Apple released any Smart Connector accessory besides the keyboard? No. 2) Has any 3rd party made good use of the Smart Connector with anything other than a keyboard or a stand? No. 3) Is fair to say, from the overwhelming evidence, that Apple's placement of the Smart Connector on iPad is for the benefit of the Smart Keyboard? Yes. 3) Is there any indication whatsoever (outside of our imaginations) that the Smart Connector on iPad is going to be used for anything else? No.
Those are indisputable facts that you don't seem to want to acknowledge.
Lets keep going:
1) (If true) The iPhone, or at least one iPhone model, will have a Smart Connector on its lower back. Yes. 2) This placement is deliberate. Yes. 3) This placement will lend itself to a particular use-case, most like 1 very specific use case. Yes.
Once you get to this point, it doesn't take much to understand what that specific use case is.
Apologies you didn't understand the metaphor, but your logic is so self-serving it's laughable. 1 use case, that's absurd, and when you get to this point then things will be so much clearer *for you*. Your flawed logic has already been corrected by Jonny Ive (as per rogifan_new earlier - did you read it and just ignore it?) earlier, the connector is for "accessories" (not just keyboards) and the fact they've already started releasing them (Logictech's Base) supports this. Apple didn't just create this for their own use, a 1 time keyboard thingy and nothing else, that's absurd, and any logic that follows it is flawed.
Comments
And yet there are some who might look at the Smart Connector and imagine what might come from it (the connector not the location), but the "smart" assumption is to look where it's placed and declare all other questions moot?
If the Smart Connector supports both data and power (as per Apple) one must assume that a device with a Smart Connector would support both data and power, meaning that the Smart Connector on the iPhone will also support data.
My money is on the side that believes this isn't merely a better battery case feature for the iPhone, but much, much more. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
The FACT is that, for the current iPad Pro product, Apple has ONE purpose for the Smart Connector. One. Yes, that is true, and did happen.
You can bet on the fact that Apple will also have ONE purpose for the Smart Connector on iPhone. And given the placement of it, it is rather obvious what category that purpose will be in.
Just because the thing has functional potential for other hypothetical ideas, does not mean that those are a priority, or will ever come to fruition.
Stop looking at the finger.
also, the ipad's switch began as a rotate-lock switch, which made far more sense for the device than the later-retrofitted mute functionality.
I'm doubting them even putting a Smart Connector on an iPhone. And if they did, I doubt it would be anywhere other than on the edge of the phone, as on the iPad.
Firstly there's compatibility with existing Smart Connector devices. You may not see anyone using the Smart Keyboard with an iPhone, but I can, and I'm fairly sure Apple can, too. Although using the Logitech or other third party versions is probably more likely.
Secondly, the Smart Connector uses magnets to hold the connection. Not sure what the impact of putting permanent magnets like that in something the size of the iPhone. Especially that near the screen and the microphone. Without the magnets, keeping the connection is going to be difficult, especially if it's in the back of the phone like that. Even in your snug "Smart Case", there's a risk that the connector will intermittently break contact. And the tolerances on the Smart Case will have to be incredibly low for it to guarantee to make contact in the first place.
Now, the designers and engineers at Apple are certain to have considered these, and every other conceivable issue with putting the Smart Connector on the iPhone. Then they will either include it, or not, and they will choose the position that provides what they see as the best solution. But I'm still not buying any of these designs we've seen, until Tim Cook shows it off in September.
Oh, and another thing I just noticed on the photos. The Apple logo seems to be stamped into the back of the case, whereas on the current phone (and some of the other mock ups we've seen) a cut out for the NFC antenna. Makes it look even more suspicious.
I suppose it's still not definitive proof it's not an Apple prototype, but it is suggestive.
1) Has Apple released any Smart Connector accessory besides the keyboard? No.
2) Has any 3rd party made good use of the Smart Connector with anything other than a keyboard or a stand? No.
3) Is fair to say, from the overwhelming evidence, that Apple's placement of the Smart Connector on iPad is for the benefit of the Smart Keyboard? Yes.
3) Is there any indication whatsoever (outside of our imaginations) that the Smart Connector on iPad is going to be used for anything else? No.
Those are indisputable facts that you don't seem to want to acknowledge.
Lets keep going:
1) (If true) The iPhone, or at least one iPhone model, will have a Smart Connector on its lower back. Yes.
2) This placement is deliberate. Yes.
3) This placement will lend itself to a particular use-case, most like 1 very specific use case. Yes.
Once you get to this point, it doesn't take much to understand what that specific use case is.