Apple rumored to extend smaller Dock Connector to iPad, other iOS devices this year

Posted:
in iPad edited January 2014
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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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 30
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    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)
  • Reply 2 of 30
    slurpyslurpy Posts: 5,382member


    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. 

  • Reply 3 of 30
    vandilvandil Posts: 187member


    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.

  • Reply 4 of 30
    smiles77smiles77 Posts: 668member


    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.

  • Reply 5 of 30


    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

  • Reply 6 of 30
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Smiles77 View Post


    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.

  • Reply 7 of 30
    davebarnes wrote: »
    This, from Bloomberg, says it best:
    <h1 id="user_article_headline">Apple Changes IPhone Connectors. World Freaks Out</h1>

    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.
  • Reply 8 of 30
    kibitzerkibitzer Posts: 1,114member


    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.

  • Reply 9 of 30
    jason98jason98 Posts: 768member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Kibitzer View Post


    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.

  • Reply 10 of 30
    jason98jason98 Posts: 768member

    Post Removed as a duplicate
  • Reply 11 of 30
    jragostajragosta Posts: 10,473member
    kibitzer wrote: »
    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.
    jason98 wrote: »

    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.
  • Reply 12 of 30
    jason98jason98 Posts: 768member



    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jragosta View Post



    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.


     


    Can you imagine a gain in efficiency when owners of iDevices do not have to buy water-proof cases or extra water-proof cameras? I would guess these things would require more than a full scale power plant to be produced.

  • Reply 13 of 30
    philotechphilotech Posts: 106member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Smiles77 View Post


    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.



    It would be a silent upgrade. Change the connector and die-shrink the A5X (as the A5 in the aTV3 which Apple apparently uses to try the new production process on a smaller scale). Would save some battery and reduce the heat.

  • Reply 14 of 30
    gtrgtr Posts: 3,231member
    News headline:

    "Apple to introduce dock connection fragmentation. World moves to Android as result."
  • Reply 15 of 30
    ssquirrelssquirrel Posts: 1,196member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by GTR View Post



    News headline:

    "Apple to introduce dock connection fragmentation. World moves to Android as result."


     


    Trading one fragmentation for another.  Sure, why not :)  Don't forget the Magsafe fragmentation too heh

  • Reply 16 of 30
    christophbchristophb Posts: 1,482member
    gtr wrote: »
    News headline:
    "Apple to introduce dock connection fragmentation. World moves to Android as result."


    Channeling Dareuters news service?
  • Reply 17 of 30


    Not sure what the confusion is. I read the article as saying that there's an indication existing models will have a minor refresh with the new dock connector. Not for the next model but as a refresh of the current models.


     


    I'm not sure it'll happen but I don't see it being too difficult to do. Still, would it make sense for Apple to do this?


     


    Also, wasn't it already indicated that there would be an adapter from the existing 30 pin to the new format?

  • Reply 18 of 30
    charlitunacharlituna Posts: 7,217member
    mac_128 wrote: »
    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)

    No, iMore is saying they will refresh the iPad right now just for this connector. Which I'm not buying
  • Reply 19 of 30
    kibitzerkibitzer Posts: 1,114member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jragosta View Post





    So they use a $5 adapter for existing hardware.


     


    That's obvious, but the issue is fitting an adapter into those devices that have the dock connector set inside a well, such as a Bose SoundDock. Maybe the adapter with the new style connector would have a well of its own to physically stabilize the Apple device. (Of course, if it's an add-on adapter from the likes of Bose, you won't be forking out just $5. Aside from their noise canceling headphones, which seem to work really well, never has there been another company that charges so much to deliver so little to customers who are so ignorant!)

  • Reply 20 of 30
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Kibitzer View Post


     


    That's obvious, but the issue is fitting an adapter into those devices that have the dock connector set inside a well, such as a Bose SoundDock. Maybe the adapter with the new style connector would have a well of its own to physically stabilize the Apple device. (Of course, if it's an add-on adapter from the likes of Bose, you won't be forking out just $5. Aside from their noise canceling headphones, which seem to work really well, never has there been another company that charges so much to deliver so little to customers who are so ignorant!)



     


    What about mediocre headphone's sold with a rapper's name on them, at least with Bose you get some attempt at quality, not just an overdone bass boost.

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