Official iPhone 5 user guide references Apple-made dock
Though Apple has not released a first-party dock for the iPhone 5 and its new Lightning connector, the official iPhone 5 user guide refers to an official "iPhone Dock" accessory sold separately.
References to the dock, first highlighted on Thursday by MacDailyNews, can be found in two different places within the official guide. The iPhone 5 guide can be downloaded in PDF form direct from Apple.
The first reference to a supposed "iPhone Dock" accessory can be found on page 7 of the guide. At the bottom of the page, under the "Connecting cable" heading, the guide notes that the new Lightning to USB Cable, packaged with the iPhone 5, "can also be used with the iPhone Dock (sold separately)."
Another mention of an officially titled "Dock" can be found on page 34 of the iPhone 5 owners' manual. In a section that informs users how they can recharge the battery on their new iPhone 5, the guide notes that users can connect their handset "to your computer using the included cable and the Dock, available separately."
For previous iPhone models with the 30-pin dock connector, Apple has sold a first-party dock for $29. The first-generation iPhone, released in 2007, even shipped with a dock for charging and syncing included in the box for the device.
But this year, with the launch of the iPhone 5 and its new, smaller Lightning connector, Apple did not release a redesigned dock alongside the new hardware. The redesigned port allowed Apple to make the new iPhone thinner and lighter than ever, but has also caused frustration for some users who are upset that legacy accessories, including 30-pin docks, are no longer compatible.
There have been suggestions that Apple may not be planning an official iPhone 5 dock designed to fit the new device's thinner profile and redesigned Lightning port. But references contained in the official iPhone 5 manual suggest that the company could still release an accessory.
However, it's also possible that Apple originally planned to build its own iPhone 5 dock before scrapping those plans, and references to an official "Dock" accessory simply were not removed from the iPhone 5 user guide.
References to the dock, first highlighted on Thursday by MacDailyNews, can be found in two different places within the official guide. The iPhone 5 guide can be downloaded in PDF form direct from Apple.
The first reference to a supposed "iPhone Dock" accessory can be found on page 7 of the guide. At the bottom of the page, under the "Connecting cable" heading, the guide notes that the new Lightning to USB Cable, packaged with the iPhone 5, "can also be used with the iPhone Dock (sold separately)."
Another mention of an officially titled "Dock" can be found on page 34 of the iPhone 5 owners' manual. In a section that informs users how they can recharge the battery on their new iPhone 5, the guide notes that users can connect their handset "to your computer using the included cable and the Dock, available separately."
For previous iPhone models with the 30-pin dock connector, Apple has sold a first-party dock for $29. The first-generation iPhone, released in 2007, even shipped with a dock for charging and syncing included in the box for the device.
But this year, with the launch of the iPhone 5 and its new, smaller Lightning connector, Apple did not release a redesigned dock alongside the new hardware. The redesigned port allowed Apple to make the new iPhone thinner and lighter than ever, but has also caused frustration for some users who are upset that legacy accessories, including 30-pin docks, are no longer compatible.
There have been suggestions that Apple may not be planning an official iPhone 5 dock designed to fit the new device's thinner profile and redesigned Lightning port. But references contained in the official iPhone 5 manual suggest that the company could still release an accessory.
However, it's also possible that Apple originally planned to build its own iPhone 5 dock before scrapping those plans, and references to an official "Dock" accessory simply were not removed from the iPhone 5 user guide.
Comments
I also think there is a certain irony in releasing a phone that (supposedly) scratches so easily and at the same time force us all to lay the thing down on a desks/table/floor to charge the thing. This can only lead to more scratches than the device would otherwise have.
I expect we'll see an iPhone 5 dock in January with something like, "Due to customer feedback, we've decided to bring back the iPhone dock for iPhone 5".
It is a no-brainer that a dock would and will sell if apple makes one.
People like them on their work desk, and I like mine on my nightstand where my iPhone sleeps and performs one of its many duties as my alarm clock.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
I think it's really rude of Apple to not make a dock this year and especially to say as the explanation (paraphrased) "no one wants one." What they are really telling us that three just isn't enough MONEY in it for them to bother, which is a really a-holish thing to say or imply.
Yeah! What jerks! How dare a for-profit business not release a product that's unprofitable!
Quote:
Originally Posted by bill42
It is a no-brainer that a dock would and will sell if apple makes one.
People like them on their work desk, and I like mine on my nightstand where my iPhone sleeps and performs one of its many duties as my alarm clock.
If it's a no-brainer, then why isn't Apple selling one? Could it be they have actual sales data that suggests otherwise?
Remember, the plural of anecdote is not data.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
I think it's really rude of Apple to not make a dock this year and especially to say as the explanation (paraphrased) "no one wants one." What they are really telling us that three just isn't enough MONEY in it for them to bother, which is a really a-holish thing to say or imply.
I also think there is a certain irony in releasing a phone that (supposedly) scratches so easily and at the same time force us all to lay the thing down on a desks/table/floor to charge the thing. This can only lead to more scratches than the device would otherwise have.
Whaaaaaaaa!
Docks are pointless. Utterly pointless.
They keep us from getting wet when we park our boats.
Best of all, Apple can charge $10 for it and make boatloads of money on something that costs 50 cents to make.
I'm surprised they didn't go this route. This is how the iPhone 5 display docks in the Apple Stores are made, afterall, so it's not like they didn't think of it at least for that.
Thy most likely aren't selling one because the new form factor came out. I expect Apple to create one soon. If not others will be making them once they reverse engineer the lightning chip. There is money to be made here.
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
I think it's really rude of Apple to not make a dock this year and especially to say as the explanation (paraphrased) "no one wants one."
I don't buy that they said that. I wouldn't put my iPhone anywhere but the dock.
Originally Posted by pmz
Docks are pointless. Utterly pointless.
Except for, you know, docking. And protecting and securing your device, keeping it in an easily accessible position.
Originally Posted by bill42
Thy most likely aren't selling one because the new form factor came out.
What does this mean? I certainly HOPE they're making one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brewsta
Yeah! What jerks! How dare a for-profit business not release a product that's unprofitable!
I don't think you understand how business works. Everything they make is profitable in that it has a rather healthy margin built in.
My comment about money was that they don't think it will make them *enough* money (in terms of total dollars) to be worth their while. They rightly point out that most people use cases, but what they are ignoring is that with their device sales figures in the hundreds of millions, a tiny percentage is equal to a huge number of people that are out of luck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmz
Whaaaaaaaa!
Docks are pointless. Utterly pointless.
Sez the person making the ignorant, illogical and utterly pointless remark. :-/
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
I don't buy that they said that. I wouldn't put my iPhone anywhere but the dock. ...
I don't have the link but my recollection is that Phil Schiller himself said (again paraphrased as I don't have the quote), that they are "not making one" for the iPhone 5, because "most people use cases anyway."
No, you're the one who doesn't understand business. It is easy to lose money on a product even if it has very high gross margins. If your overheads are greater than the gross margin, you lose money. And if the opportunity cost is greater than the value, you lose money.
I have no idea how many Apple could sell or whether they'd be profitable or not, but it is wrong for you to equate gross margin with profit.
I thought that the dock just gave a pin to pin connection and used the standard users cable as the charger. In which case a dock should be fairly simple to make and not require any electronics.
Between my household and circle of family and friends there are about 25 iPhones I am aware of, and everyone uses a case.
That's certainly one possibility.