Apple says more Smart Connector products for iPad Pro are coming
A recent conversation with manufacturers mostly points the finger at Apple for slow rollout of Smart Connector peripherals, but Apple itself says that vendors have products in the pipeline using the technology.
FastCompany recently spoke with Incipio, Brydge, Zagg, and other vendors to get to the bottom of the paucity of Smart Connector devices. The picture painted is one of Apple control of the technology potentially leading to slow adoption, and Bluetooth's wide acceptance creating an environment where it's easier to ignore the port than to implement it.
"With an iPad Pro keyboard on the market already, we are evaluating the market's appetite for another iPad Pro keyboard and identifying if there are any gaps that we can fill," Incipio spokesperson Kelly McElroy told FastCompany. "So we are developing with having a point of difference in mind rather than developing to be quick to market."
However, Incipio's Director of Product Development Carlos Del Toro had a different story for FastCompany. Initially, Del Toro said that the company was waiting for testing standards from apple and the testing components weren't available -- but backed off those claims and acknowledged that it hadn't finished a product.
"They're very cautious with what they do, and they want to make sure they get it right," Del Toro said. "It's one thing to develop with a partner that is custom, and another thing to develop a platform so that others can use it."
Another unnamed source said that getting components to use the connector took "close to six months" to deliver very expensive components.
"The thing with the pogo pin design, in particular with the way that Apple's implemented it on the iPad, is it's incredibly limiting," Smith said to FastCompany. "Looking ahead, there is no reason why the Smart Connector wouldn't be considered for future Brydge products -- if the application is right."
"One benefit of the Smart Connector is that it allows users to power their keyboard from the tablet's power supply," Jeff Meek, a senior product manager for Zagg, said to FastCompany. "But where our keyboards have up to a two-year battery life onboard under average use, we don't see power as a significant pain point to solve through the connector."
Apple's Smart Connector debuted with the iPad Pro in the fall of 2015. At present, the connector is seen on the entire iPad Pro line, including the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro. It has yet to debut on the iPhone, despite being rumored for inclusion in the iPhone 7.
The only peripherals for it at present are made by Apple itself, or Logitech.
FastCompany recently spoke with Incipio, Brydge, Zagg, and other vendors to get to the bottom of the paucity of Smart Connector devices. The picture painted is one of Apple control of the technology potentially leading to slow adoption, and Bluetooth's wide acceptance creating an environment where it's easier to ignore the port than to implement it.
"With an iPad Pro keyboard on the market already, we are evaluating the market's appetite for another iPad Pro keyboard and identifying if there are any gaps that we can fill," Incipio spokesperson Kelly McElroy told FastCompany. "So we are developing with having a point of difference in mind rather than developing to be quick to market."
However, Incipio's Director of Product Development Carlos Del Toro had a different story for FastCompany. Initially, Del Toro said that the company was waiting for testing standards from apple and the testing components weren't available -- but backed off those claims and acknowledged that it hadn't finished a product.
"They're very cautious with what they do, and they want to make sure they get it right," Del Toro said. "It's one thing to develop with a partner that is custom, and another thing to develop a platform so that others can use it."
Another unnamed source said that getting components to use the connector took "close to six months" to deliver very expensive components.
Not a perfect port
There may be more to the slow adoption than cost or unavailability of components. Brydge's CEO Nicholas Smith believes that the implementation is problematic, and limiting for accessory vendors."The thing with the pogo pin design, in particular with the way that Apple's implemented it on the iPad, is it's incredibly limiting," Smith said to FastCompany. "Looking ahead, there is no reason why the Smart Connector wouldn't be considered for future Brydge products -- if the application is right."
Bluetooth isn't under Apple's thumb
Another possibility for the lack of Smart Connector products is that Bluetooth is far better than it was in early incarnations, and battery technology has surpassed early limitations on devices."One benefit of the Smart Connector is that it allows users to power their keyboard from the tablet's power supply," Jeff Meek, a senior product manager for Zagg, said to FastCompany. "But where our keyboards have up to a two-year battery life onboard under average use, we don't see power as a significant pain point to solve through the connector."
Apple isn't silent on the matter
Apple uncharacteristically responded to the FastCompany piece. While a specific spokesperson was not named, Apple confirmed that "multiple companies" are in the process of cranking out Smart Connector accessories. No timeline was given, nor were any companies named.Apple's Smart Connector debuted with the iPad Pro in the fall of 2015. At present, the connector is seen on the entire iPad Pro line, including the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro. It has yet to debut on the iPhone, despite being rumored for inclusion in the iPhone 7.
The only peripherals for it at present are made by Apple itself, or Logitech.
Comments
That said, I'd love for Apple to bring back the original iPad Keyboard concept, updated for the Smart Connector.
More so however, I wonder what other *types* of products *could* or *might* take advantage of this port. Have we seen any specs regarding throughput and speeds? A dock which connects to many peripherals might be interesting such as a bigger screen, keyboard, pointing device (if iOS ever supports it of course), power to charge from the one dock, that might be interesting for lots of types of users.
As mentioned above, payment terminals could work, too, but that market may be much smaller than the keyboard market.
Is there anything that makes the Smart Connector more attractive than using the Lightning port to connect, from a get-this-to-work standpoint? It's obviously better for the keyboard to connect at the SC, but for instance, the Camera Connection Kit wouldn't really benefit over the LP.
And there aren't that many accessories that connect via the Lightning port. Off the top of my head I can think of just a few: extended batteries (iPhone), cameras (iPhone), Camera Connection Kits (iPhone, iPad) and bar code scanners (iPad). Aside from keyboards I don't see a benefit to any of the rest to connect at the SC than the LP. There may be more but my original question remains.
"Another possibility for the lack of Smart Connector products is that Bluetooth is far better than it was in early incarnations..."
An important point. I use a Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad. I would not consider a Smart Keyboard if I had a Pro because of the on screen keyboard issue. With the Smart Keyboard and the Smart Connector, the onscreen keyboard does not come up unless the keyboard is disconnected. Logitech has a version where their Smart Connector keyboard can be switched more easily with the onscreen keyboard.
Still imo that's an inconvenient solution compared with a Bluetooth keyboard.
With Bluetooth keyboards the physical keyboard and onscreen keyboard are available at all times.
The onscreen keyboard is very useful in iOS 10 as a trackpad to give precision cursor pointing on a capable iPad.
also, it is restricted to landscape. To be really flexible you need it for portrait as well, adding to design and space costs. And it never arriving on the iPhone is telling.
I think wireless solutions will overcome the smart connector.
As to what additional uses the SC would be useful, let alone superior, I haven't a clue.
I mean for the android guys, ie Bluetooth does not matter what is connected to. Apple's solution is only for Apple if you going to make something for Apple everyone else does not get to benefit from it.