Got a tip for us? Share it...

Apple Dock Connector to Support DisplayPort, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt?


PatentlyApple reveals a new patent granted to Apple from the US Patent and Trademark Office. The patent describes what appears to be a new dock connector that can support both DisplayPort/USB 3.0.

Apple has been granted a powerful patent that packs quite the wallop. Somehow they snuck a secret patent application through the system for an all-new high speed connector that will combine at least USB 3.0 and DisplayPort. Although the patent illustrates an iPod as being one of the first to adopt this, the patent clarifies that it's for all future Mac hardware as well.

The 30-pin connector has been a staple of Apple's iPod, iPhone and iPad lines as their universal docking connector for syncing and accessories. This patent application was previously spotted during the application phase, but has renewed interest now given Apple's recent commitment to Thunderbolt connector which shares the same physical form factor as DisplayPort.

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

15 months ago
Interesting. Faster backup speeds ftw
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
15 months ago
Apple should've held out on the refresh to include USB 3 and even HDMI. Thunderbolt and the is currently useless.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
15 months ago
Fantastic. Apple should have Thunderbolt across most of their Mac line by the time this comes out on the iPhone 5/iPad 3, and most new PCs will have USB 3.

Super-high-speed syncing, plus possibly external devices due to Thunderbolt's daisy chain ability?

It could make an iPad/iPhone accessories market of Thunderbolt devices that pushes adoption...
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
15 months ago
Yay! More cash from adapters for apple!
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
15 months ago
Now we are playing with power.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
15 months ago
While I don't see anything that specifically mentions thunderbolt other than Macrumors' own speculation, I would find it hard to believe this wouldn't include it if it were to see the light of day. the 30 pin dock is a BIG connector- plenty of real-estate for a next-gen version to incorporate all of these standards from the looks of it.

My questions are:

Will it be backwards-compatible

Obviously you'll need to buy different cables according to what the other end is plugging into (Thunderbolt or USB 2/3)....but will apple include both or charge $25 for the other one?

It's smart to include USB 3, especially on "iToys", as it will eventually become the standard. The only way to avoid it would be to stop putting USB ports on their computers all together, and that will alienate all of their non-mac "iToy" customers (probably the majority).
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
15 months ago

Yay! More cash from adapters for apple!


:( I am starting to think why do i have a mac, as i need so many dam adapters.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
15 months ago

:( I am starting to think why do i have a mac, as i need so many dam adapters.


Exacly what a friend of mine said when he got his new macbook and found out he needed to buy new adapters since in the 3 years they removed many (such as the analogue audio ports)
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
15 months ago

Exacly what a friend of mine said when he got his new macbook and found out he needed to buy new adapters since in the 3 years they removed many (such as the analogue audio ports)


I don't understand this. Could you or someone explain this to me please?
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
15 months ago

I don't understand this. Could you or someone explain this to me please?


Headset jack was removed, so had to buy a USB headset for example.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives

[ Read All Comments ]