iMore claims that Apple may be transitioning away from the standard 30-pin dock connector to something more compact in the very near future.
An updated “micro dock” could make room for bigger batteries, 4G radios, and other components far more important to the iPhone and iPad in a PC free world.
As the site points out, Apple has worked hard to miniaturize other components in their iOS devices. Apple was one of the first to adopt the micro-SIM and has even proposed an even smaller SIM card design so they could make even thinner designs.
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As iMore points out, the current dock connector isn't huge, but as devices continue to get smaller and thinner, every little bit counts.
Moving away from such a ubiquitous connector, however, would be walking away from an enormous ecosystem of existing 3rd party products. Still, Apple's constant desire to make smaller/thinner designs will naturally put pressure on the size of all their components. Apple's recent move to PC-free computing with iCloud syncing may have also diminished the importance of the dock connector.
We reached out to iMore's Editor-in-Chief Rene Ritchie who said that the report came from a "solid source". iMore also made headlines recently by predicting the date for the iPad 3 launch, which is believed to be accurate.
Top Rated Comments
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Most likely there will be an adapter cable made by someone so people can use their existing add-ons.Moving away from such a ubiquitous connector, however, would be walking away from an enormous ecosystem of existing 3rd party products. Still, Apple's constant desire to make smaller/thinner designs will naturally put pressure on the size of all their components. Apple's recent move to PC-free computing with iCloud syncing may have also diminished the importance of the dock connector.
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I thought the future is clear on this: wireless sync :confused:
The dock connector is used to charge the phone as well. You can't wirelessly sync a device that has no battery power. Additionally, wireless sync activates by default when it detects a power input.
It's not just a "dock" connector, it's power.
I thought the EU was requiring all devices to use micro USB without a dongle. Did i misunderstand that?
Yes, you did misunderstand. Apple is currently getting by with shipping a dock to micro USB adapter with iPhone in Europe. Changing what the dock looks like, as long as they continue to supply a sufficient adapter, will keep them within the confines of the law.
first, EU-law does not require the micro usb port to be directly on the device. An adapter (which already exists for the iphone) is sufficient.
second, I fear, that a smaller and slimmer dock connector won't be able to support the weight of the device anymore.
bye
Darky
Is there a point of diminishing returns with "thinner and smaller"??
No sarcasm...serious question.:D