Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Apple's Smaller iOS Device Dock Connector Said to Include 19 Pins
Back in February, iMore reported that Apple was working on a smaller dock connector for its iOS devices, seeking to shave the size of the current 30-pin connector in order to allow its devices to shrink further and to provide space for other components.
Rumors of the smaller dock connector have persisted in the months since, and with claimed rear shells for the next-generation iPhone showing a smaller opening for the dock connector it does appear that Apple will be rolling out the new design with its next iOS device launch.
TechCrunch now reports that it is hearing more about the smaller connector, including word that it will include 19 pins for connectivity.
Based on the post, the drawings and renderings seem to have been created by the case manufacturer as it works to design its cases for the already-leaked form factor, and thus do not appear to be actual design leaks from Apple's supply chain.
Case designs were of course one of the primary sources for rumors of a dramatic "iPhone 5" redesign last year, a design that did not come to pass as Apple kept the basic iPhone 4 form factor and instead upgraded the internals to yield the iPhone 4S.
But the situation is different this year, with the rumors being driven by what appear to be legitimate leaks of actual parts and case manufacturers now responding to those leaks rather than driving the rumors themselves in the absence of part evidence as they did last year.
Update: Robert Scoble has added his thoughts in a comment on TechCrunch's post, claiming that he has learned from an industry contact that Apple's new dock connector will be magnetic much like the MagSafe connector used on Mac notebooks and that it will include chips to verify licensing of accessories to be used with the devices.
Rumors of the smaller dock connector have persisted in the months since, and with claimed rear shells for the next-generation iPhone showing a smaller opening for the dock connector it does appear that Apple will be rolling out the new design with its next iOS device launch.
TechCrunch now reports that it is hearing more about the smaller connector, including word that it will include 19 pins for connectivity.
Although the form factor and actual size are still unknown, TechCrunch has independently verified that Apple is working on adding a 19-pin port, replacing the current 30-pin port, to the new iPhone. It is a move that will surely send shocks through the iPhone accessory ecosystem.TechCrunch's report comes as Mobile Fun shares several case drawings and renderings from a case manufacturer who is betting that the parts leaked so far will prove to be genuine.
One manufacturer we spoke to said that he was sure that the leaked images were accurate – so sure that he was already preparing to construct iPhone 5 cases and he’d be willing to ship replacements for free if they turned out not to be perfect. He enumerated three big changes from the old iPhone 4S to the iPhone 5:
1. The phone is much bigger, measuring 58.47 mm wide, 123.83 mm high and 7.6 mm thin. The screen is 4″.
2. The earphone jack has been relocated to the bottom of the phone.
3. The dock connector is much smaller, similar in size to micro USB.
Based on the post, the drawings and renderings seem to have been created by the case manufacturer as it works to design its cases for the already-leaked form factor, and thus do not appear to be actual design leaks from Apple's supply chain.
Case designs were of course one of the primary sources for rumors of a dramatic "iPhone 5" redesign last year, a design that did not come to pass as Apple kept the basic iPhone 4 form factor and instead upgraded the internals to yield the iPhone 4S.
But the situation is different this year, with the rumors being driven by what appear to be legitimate leaks of actual parts and case manufacturers now responding to those leaks rather than driving the rumors themselves in the absence of part evidence as they did last year.
Update: Robert Scoble has added his thoughts in a comment on TechCrunch's post, claiming that he has learned from an industry contact that Apple's new dock connector will be magnetic much like the MagSafe connector used on Mac notebooks and that it will include chips to verify licensing of accessories to be used with the devices.
Tag: techcrunch.com
[ 277 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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93 months ago
It makes sense, if they're going USB 3, why not change it already? Especially with Ivy Bridge...
I wish it is MicroUSB though. A universal connection would be lovely.
I wish it is MicroUSB though. A universal connection would be lovely.
93 months ago
the "iPod" connector as been the same for more than 10 years already. Change is just a matter of time.
93 months ago
I'm ready for change... Let's hope for speed increase with the new connector:cool:
Yes please. Syncing a 64GB iPhone is not fun
93 months ago
Just don't make the back out of glass! Why have both sides shattered when just the front will do ;)
I must be the only one that likes the glass back. The thing is glass doesn't scratch the way metals do, but is far more appealing to the touch than plastic. The whole glass shattering thing doesn't make a difference to me because I never want my phone to drop anyways. Reducing the chance that you'll damage something to a coin toss doesn't make dropping it any less disastrous in my eyes.
93 months ago
And what's with the headphone jack being on the bottom? Why make such a silly change?
That's where heaphone jack should have been at the very begining. At the bottom.
93 months ago
there is already a natural way in putting and removing phones from ones pocket?
what kind of flippity flop move do you do when you remove the phone from your pocket?
if im holding an iphone right side up it uses less of the cable length to have the headphone jack on the top (except if its bottom is aligned with ears). When i put the phone right side up in my pocket then the issue with cable length becomes more serious because in a loose pocket the iphone can rotate to the "natural pocket position" and the cable isnt really long enough.
I'll put it in steps for you:
Hold you phone to your ear the correct way up.
Now, without changing grip, put your hand straight into your pocket.
Which way up is it? Yep. Upside down.
My friend, you are the one performing a flippity flop move.
93 months ago
Apple is a premium brand. They already make hardware with magsafe connectors. Shouldn't take much to adapt it to an iOS device. Can't imagine it would cost that much. Sure would work better than "pins".
Yea but everything with a MagSafe weighs at least 1.08 kg (11-inch MBA). For a MagSafe to work on an iPhone (140 g), the magnet would have to be super weak. As awesome as an iOS device MagSafe would be, dunno if that would work.
93 months ago
I am still not adjusted to the idea of a stretched iPhone 4 but I'll wait until I see some real specs to judge.
As far as a smaller dock, I was ready for that 5 years ago.
As far as a smaller dock, I was ready for that 5 years ago.
93 months ago
Why the EFF are they moving the headphone jack to the bottom?!
Because if you put your phone in your pocket upside down (which you should if you want your phone to be the right way up when you take it out), the headphone jack should be at the bottom.
Makes perfect sense.
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Why wouldn't the move of the headphone jack make sense? I mean the way most people put their phone in their pocket is upside down, it's just natural that way. And with the phone upside down in your pocket the headphones coming off the bottom would make perfect sense. Maybe I'm missing something but I love the idea of the headphone jack being on the bottom.
Beat me to it!
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