Apple's reported 'Lightning only' MFi terms restrict combo adapters

24

Comments

  • Reply 21 of 61
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member
    Wait, you can't pass through controls or audio for that.

    Yes you can, I have one I picked up for forty bucks, I used to use it with my iPhone 4, when I got the 5 I also got an adapter, use it every night, about the only inconvenience is the whole thing unplugs and stays attached to the phone.

    If iPod is chosen music starts playing as soon as I plug in.

    It also works with the FM transmitter I have in my car.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 22 of 61
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member
    Wait, you can't pass through controls or audio for that.

    Yes you can, I have one I picked up for forty bucks, I used to use it with my iPhone 4, when I got the 5 I also got an adapter, use it every night, about the only inconvenience is the whole thing unplugs and stays attached to the phone.

    If iPod is chosen music starts playing as soon as I plug in.

    It also works with the FM transmitter I have in my car.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 23 of 61
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member
    Wait, you can't pass through controls or audio for that.

    Yes you can, I have one I picked up for forty bucks, I used to use it with my iPhone 4, when I got the 5 I also got an adapter, use it every night, about the only inconvenience is the whole thing unplugs and stays attached to the phone.

    If iPod is chosen music starts playing as soon as I plug in.

    It also works with the FM transmitter I have in my car.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 24 of 61


    Bye bye convenience charging stations in airport lounges, corporate receptions, etc. with connectors for every major phone manufacturer.


     


    With a bit of luck, bye bye lightning. If ever there was a case for insisting Apple use the micoUSB connector, this was it.


     


    Ok, what we need now, is someone to build an elegant securirty cable, that clasps the USB-lightning adaptor or 30pin dock-lightning adaptor, so that people can stick it onto the end of a cable, but not walk off with it.

     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 25 of 61
    With a bit of luck, bye bye lightning. If ever there was a case for insisting Apple use the micoUSB connector, this was it.

    No way!
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 26 of 61


    Originally Posted by Bishop of Southwark View Post

    Bye bye convenience charging stations in airport lounges, corporate receptions, etc. with connectors for every major phone manufacturer.


     


    How is a USB port not convenient? Plug in any cable from any manufacturer.


     


    1. Why would I (as a passenger) wait to trust the actual adapter for such and such product when thousands of people have manhandled it before me? I'll use my own and not damage my device because I know where my adapter cable has been.


    2. Why should I (as an airport owner) want to waste thousands of dollars on dozens of different adapter cables (no, contrary to your fantasy, not everything uses MicroUSB) when I could just offer a wall of USB ports so that passengers can plug in anything they wish?





    With a bit of luck, bye bye lightning. If ever there was a case for insisting Apple use the micoUSB connector, this was it.



     


    There has, is, and will never be a case for MicroUSB.

     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 27 of 61
    $40 for a cable is painful, but if the pricing is part of Apple's tactic to ensure that only quality, well-designed products make it to market, then I applaud them. I know I was left confused and concerned by the array of unapproved 3rd-party 30-pin based devices and cables available at retail. For the relatively few that I tried, there were incompatibilities between them. I'm hoping that Lightening's implementation is consistent across the board from the very start for well into its lifetime.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 28 of 61
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member
    coolfactor wrote: »
    $40 for a cable is painful, but if the pricing is part of Apple's tactic to ensure that only quality, well-designed products make it to market, then I applaud them. I know I was left confused and concerned by the array of unapproved 3rd-party 30-pin based devices and cables available at retail. For the relatively few that I tried, there were incompatibilities between them. I'm hoping that Lightening's implementation is consistent across the board from the very start for well into its lifetime.

    An Apple lightening cable is $25 in Australia.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 29 of 61
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member
    coolfactor wrote: »
    $40 for a cable is painful, but if the pricing is part of Apple's tactic to ensure that only quality, well-designed products make it to market, then I applaud them. I know I was left confused and concerned by the array of unapproved 3rd-party 30-pin based devices and cables available at retail. For the relatively few that I tried, there were incompatibilities between them. I'm hoping that Lightening's implementation is consistent across the board from the very start for well into its lifetime.

    An Apple lightening cable is $25 in Australia.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 30 of 61
    But what about this?:

    http://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/12/12/16/matrox_ds1_is_worlds_first_thunderbolt_docking_station.html

    If multiple connectors is the issue, then how did Matrox get approval for this device?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 31 of 61
    gazoobeegazoobee Posts: 3,754member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mazda 3s View Post



    1.  


    2.  


    3.  

    Speak for yourself; I already got my $5 lightning cables on eBay shipped from China. It took about two weeks for delivery via China Post, but both of the cables I ordered are sturdy and work fine charging/syncing my and my wife's iPhone 5s. The cables are sturdy and are reversible just like the Apple ones.


     


    So .. you are exultant that you can get a cheap lightning cable because the manufacturer can use toxic chemicals or sub-standard materials to make them or use child labour etc. ?


     


    I wouldn't think that's anything to brag about but to each his/her own.

     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 32 of 61
    To me, that looks like a sucky product. A little cylinder with quippy little wires flipping off? I don't think so! Besides, what's wrong with the existing charger? This is a tempest in a Thimble.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 33 of 61
    I'm amazed at the anger towards Apple here on this issue.
    Ok they have a beautiful device which serves many,
    problem is Apple would like them to push for Thunderbolt/Lightning connect!

    They "POP" should then go for the faster connect I/O & give cables converting from T/L to the other 30 pin, USB 2-3 & micro.

    I know this is not what they wanted but would keep the project alive & I for one would be a buyer.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 34 of 61
    irnchrizirnchriz Posts: 1,617member
    Considering the original kick starter project was before the iPhone 5 and the new connector this sounds like these guys screwed up and can't bring their product to market. They need someone to blame and Apple is that someone. Just wonder how many supporters will actually get any money back.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 35 of 61
    irnchrizirnchriz Posts: 1,617member
    Considering the original kick starter project was before the iPhone 5 and the new connector this sounds like these guys screwed up and can't bring their product to market. They need someone to blame and Apple is that someone. Just wonder how many supporters will actually get any money back.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 36 of 61

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kcool View Post



    But what about this?:

    http://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/12/12/16/matrox_ds1_is_worlds_first_thunderbolt_docking_station.html

    If multiple connectors is the issue, then how did Matrox get approval for this device?


    That is thunderbolt not lightning... .I would guess the terms are different for that port as Apple don't own it outright - it was a collaboration with Intel... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)

     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 37 of 61
    irnchriz wrote: »
    Considering the original kick starter project was before the iPhone 5 and the new connector this sounds like these guys screwed up and can't bring their product to market. They need someone to blame and Apple is that someone. Just wonder how many supporters will actually get any money back.

    This is exactly what's happening. To anyone that believes otherwise, all you have to do is go the KS project page and read the comments section. The majority of backers commenting on this situation are very upset at the project creator because they initially backed the project with the 30pin connector, and the project was funded and closed before the Lightning connector was announced.

    The creator then decided to change the scope of the project after it was funded, and after the lightning connector was announced ... Basic project management went totally out the window on this one just based on that fact alone. However, I think there's also more that happened behind the scenes that put the project at risk, and the creator is choosing to use Apple as a scapegoat ... Most likely to try to do some sort of damage control to their reputation or to possibly try to avoid being sued by the KS backers (not that that's a possibility, given the KS Terms & Conditions, mind you.)
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 38 of 61

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


     


    How is a USB port not convenient? Plug in any cable from any manufacturer.


     


    1. Why would I (as a passenger) wait to trust the actual adapter for such and such product when thousands of people have manhandled it before me? I'll use my own and not damage my device because I know where my adapter cable has been.


    2. Why should I (as an airport owner) want to waste thousands of dollars on dozens of different adapter cables (no, contrary to your fantasy, not everything uses MicroUSB) when I could just offer a wall of USB ports so that passengers can plug in anything they wish?


     


    There has, is, and will never be a case for MicroUSB.



     


    Why are you so utterly blinkered?  Do you actually work for Apple or something?  The last comment regarding never been a case for micro-usb is ridiculous.  Apple signed up along with 14 other major phone manufacturers - a memorandum of understanding to make all data enabled smart phones use Micro-USB throughout the European union:


     


    http://www.eubusiness.com/topics/telecoms/mobile-charger/


     


    The then simply ignored this as saw the huge profit potential by shunning this; adding a authentication chip & no doubt wanting absurd payments for licence.


     


    Which bit of this is fair to the consumer TS?  Which bit of this shows Apple in a good light?  Which but of forcing users to buy an expensive adaptor (and please, don't insult members by saying how the price is reasonable when most other phones can get cables for a $ or a £)?  Which bit of this shows Apple's commitment to offering consumers the chance to easily re-use all those pieces of kit purchased that use the old adaptor?  


    I suppose a question is why hasn't the EU taken action on this?  What wonderful legal means have Apple used to stick two fingers up at the rest of the industry & the European Commission?

     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 39 of 61
    richlrichl Posts: 2,213member


    This seems a little harsh when Apple still sells products that use the old 30-pin connector.

     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 40 of 61

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by whatever71 View Post


     


    Apple signed up along with 14 other major phone manufacturers - a memorandum of understanding to make all data enabled smart phones use Micro-USB throughout the European union:


     


    http://www.eubusiness.com/topics/telecoms/mobile-charger/


     



     


    The problem with that particular memorandum of understanding is that it was worded vaguely enough to allow for the MicroUSB connection to be provided using an adapter.... which Apple have sold in europe for a couple of years and now sell in the US - http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MD820ZM/A/lightning-to-micro-usb-adapter?fnode=45

     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
Sign In or Register to comment.