And frankly, micro USB just isn't as rugged of a connector.
I absolutely hate it. I will think twice about buying a product if it requires repeated micro-USB plugging. This is the one area I'll be selfish and elitist by demanding Apple license, for free, their Lightning connector if it means never running across micro-USB again.
This time, I think Apple went too far. For example, Mophie (and others) aren't allowed to put female Lightning ports on any device. I just purchased a Mophie Helium battery case for my iPhone 5. It's perfect in every way, except due to Apple's stringent controls, it can't work as well as the battery cases for older iPhones.
The problem is that because it can't have a female Lightning port:
1) I have to take the bottom of the case off (which disconnects the battery) in order to plug it in using a Lightning cable. That means carrying around multiple cables for different iOS devices.
2) It won't do data or audio when plugged in via the MicroUSB port. It will only charge.
This is all really messed up. I would've rather taken my chances with 3rd party cables. I never had any problems with bad 3rd party 30-pin cables, certified or not. Now though, we're guaranteed to have problems by design with certified Lightning products.
Grrr...
The Mophie Helium battery case is designed to fit only the unique iPhone 5 form factor. That alone prevents it from working with older iPhones. The Mophie Juice Pack Air & Plus, that work with older iPhones, also don't have a female connector. Not sure where you are coming from here.
Truth is, Lightening is nice, but late. It would have been ideal 5 to 7 years ago, instead of its clunky predecessor. With the immensely popular and well reviewed Nexus 4 offering wireless charging (and full OTA syncing), physical connectivity is not going to be with us for long. I am surprised Apple have not made major investments in non contact connectivity, unless they have something planned for their next product releases. Let's see if the next iPhone (5S) make a stab at it, and is standards compliant, so Nokia Lumia 920 and Nexus 4 wireless chargers will work with it too.
Truth is, Lightening is nice, but late. It would have been ideal 5 to 7 years ago, instead of its clunky predecessor. With the immensely popular and well reviewed Nexus 4 offering wireless charging (and full OTA syncing), physical connectivity is not going to be with us for long. I am surprised Apple have not made major investments in non contact connectivity, unless they have something planned for their next product releases. Let's see if the next iPhone (5S) make a stab at it, and is standards compliant, so Nokia Lumia 920 and Nexus 4 wireless chargers will work with it too.
I hope that never becomes standard. Wireless charging is an immense waste of power. Obviously, with one phone, it's not a big deal. But when you get to hundreds of millions of phones, you're talking about a huge waste of power. It doesn't take long to plug in a phone. If the charger is anything like the Wii wireless charger, it takes longer to get the device aligned properly than it takes to plug it in.
I absolutely hate it. I will think twice about buying a product if it requires repeated micro-USB plugging. This is the one area I'll be selfish and elitist by demanding Apple license, for free, their Lightning connector if it means never running across micro-USB again.
I don't hate it, but clearly it's not as positive of a connection. I like the detent Lightning has, so you know it's really connected. MicroUSB's housing is thinner, stamped metal. Lightning has thicker metal, might be machined, and the connectors are potted within the frame instead of some plastic insert.
I might be wrong on the current capacity, but it's still an awful fine pin to deliver an amp through.
Not to be a Luddite, but I'm glad i just got an iPad 3/64GB Retina with the 30 pin. Head to head with the iPad 4 within seconds in speed, check YouTube tests. No cable/accessory changes necessary. All my stuff still works. Will keep my iPhone 4 until it dies as I have unlimited data grandfathered from Verizon, also 30 pin. Will buy a new iPhone then to keep my plan. See no advantage in Lightning except smaller and thinner, and more control. Who cares when consumers seem to want larger?
Lol Apple has become the new telecom. Back in the day (before my day even) Ma Bell wouldn't allow any non official phones on their telephone lines. This is no different.
Lol Apple has become the new telecom. Back in the day (before my day even) Ma Bell wouldn't allow any non official phones on their telephone lines. This is no different.
Not really Ma Bell had a monopoly. Apple does not. If you don't want to use lightning, go to android/win/bb.
Referring to the desire for larger screens by phone buyers. I personally wouldn't want a larger phone, but larger sizes seem to be selling well in the 'droid market and there has been speculation about a larger iPhone. I'm a photographer/videographer. Mainly care about the quality of the display, and hate to say it, but the Samsung's have a better reputation than the LG's, and I was mostly concerned about getting one of those, so I ordered a "refurb" iPad just before XMAS. The 4's seemed to have a much higher chance of coming with the LG panel. It came from China, and when I spoke to an Applecare Administrator, he said it was probably new as they were revved so soon. Very happy with it. Will see what the new ones bring. Might convince me to upgrade. 128GB would be nice. Anyway, glad I don't have to fool with all new connectors just yet.
How will the parts supply actually work in mass production? For example, does each manufacturer have to order all of their preprogrammed chips from Apple, so Apple has to keep track of which chips to send to each manufacturer?
Comments
I absolutely hate it. I will think twice about buying a product if it requires repeated micro-USB plugging. This is the one area I'll be selfish and elitist by demanding Apple license, for free, their Lightning connector if it means never running across micro-USB again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by macslut
This time, I think Apple went too far. For example, Mophie (and others) aren't allowed to put female Lightning ports on any device. I just purchased a Mophie Helium battery case for my iPhone 5. It's perfect in every way, except due to Apple's stringent controls, it can't work as well as the battery cases for older iPhones.
The problem is that because it can't have a female Lightning port:
1) I have to take the bottom of the case off (which disconnects the battery) in order to plug it in using a Lightning cable. That means carrying around multiple cables for different iOS devices.
2) It won't do data or audio when plugged in via the MicroUSB port. It will only charge.
This is all really messed up. I would've rather taken my chances with 3rd party cables. I never had any problems with bad 3rd party 30-pin cables, certified or not. Now though, we're guaranteed to have problems by design with certified Lightning products.
Grrr...
The Mophie Helium battery case is designed to fit only the unique iPhone 5 form factor. That alone prevents it from working with older iPhones. The Mophie Juice Pack Air & Plus, that work with older iPhones, also don't have a female connector. Not sure where you are coming from here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bsenka
Same here. No issues ever with third party dock connector cables. My $3 un-certified lightning connectors are rock solid too.
And I'm sure the children that ripped up their fingers and slept under the workbenches making them, thank you for your purchase.
You can sleep well knowing that you did your bit to contribute to misery and pollution around the globe, but hey, you saved a few bucks right?
I hope that never becomes standard. Wireless charging is an immense waste of power. Obviously, with one phone, it's not a big deal. But when you get to hundreds of millions of phones, you're talking about a huge waste of power. It doesn't take long to plug in a phone. If the charger is anything like the Wii wireless charger, it takes longer to get the device aligned properly than it takes to plug it in.
I don't hate it, but clearly it's not as positive of a connection. I like the detent Lightning has, so you know it's really connected. MicroUSB's housing is thinner, stamped metal. Lightning has thicker metal, might be machined, and the connectors are potted within the frame instead of some plastic insert.
I might be wrong on the current capacity, but it's still an awful fine pin to deliver an amp through.
Not to be a Luddite, but I'm glad i just got an iPad 3/64GB Retina with the 30 pin. Head to head with the iPad 4 within seconds in speed, check YouTube tests. No cable/accessory changes necessary. All my stuff still works. Will keep my iPhone 4 until it dies as I have unlimited data grandfathered from Verizon, also 30 pin. Will buy a new iPhone then to keep my plan. See no advantage in Lightning except smaller and thinner, and more control. Who cares when consumers seem to want larger?
Originally Posted by Jim W
Head to head with the iPad 4 within seconds in speed, check YouTube tests.
Obviously. It's USB on the other end. When it becomes Thunderbolt, we'll see who's faster.
Who cares when consumers seem to want larger?
They don't, though. Not in the slightest. Not from ports.
Not really Ma Bell had a monopoly. Apple does not. If you don't want to use lightning, go to android/win/bb.
Originally Posted by cmoney
This is no different.
Other than it being completely different.
Referring to the desire for larger screens by phone buyers. I personally wouldn't want a larger phone, but larger sizes seem to be selling well in the 'droid market and there has been speculation about a larger iPhone. I'm a photographer/videographer. Mainly care about the quality of the display, and hate to say it, but the Samsung's have a better reputation than the LG's, and I was mostly concerned about getting one of those, so I ordered a "refurb" iPad just before XMAS. The 4's seemed to have a much higher chance of coming with the LG panel. It came from China, and when I spoke to an Applecare Administrator, he said it was probably new as they were revved so soon. Very happy with it. Will see what the new ones bring. Might convince me to upgrade. 128GB would be nice. Anyway, glad I don't have to fool with all new connectors just yet.
How will the parts supply actually work in mass production? For example, does each manufacturer have to order all of their preprogrammed chips from Apple, so Apple has to keep track of which chips to send to each manufacturer?
You're buying an offshore product either way. If Chinese made is pretty much my only option, I at least want those saving passed on to me.