WWDC 2018 takes place June 4 to June 8 in San Jose, California.
Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller on NFC, Wireless Charging and the Lightning Connector
AllThingsD's Ina Fried caught up with Apple's Phil Schiller after the introduction of the iPhone 5 this afternoon. She asked him about a number of new technologies that did -- and didn't -- make it into the company's new flagship phone.
It’s not clear that NFC is the solution to any current problem, Schiller said. "Passbook does the kinds of things customers need today."Fried also spoke to Schiller about the new Lightning connector. He noted that it wasn't possible to make devices any thinner with the existing 30-pin Dock Connector, though the company doesn't take changing the plug -- which had been around for 9 years -- lightly. "This is the new connector for many years to come," Schiller explained.
As for wireless charging, Schiller notes that the wireless charging systems still have to be plugged into the wall, so it’s not clear how much convenience they add. The widely-adopted USB cord, meanwhile, can charge in wall outlets, computers and even on airplanes, he said.
"Having to create another device you have to plug into the wall is actually, for most situations, more complicated," Schiller said.
Tag: Phil Schiller
[ 427 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
73 months ago
"This is the new connector for many years to come," Schiller explained.
So, why not USB 3?
73 months ago
I agree with everything he said.
I am highly confident that Apple could update it to usb 3/thunderbold without changing the "lighting" connector.
Plus I also forsee people using the cable to sync to a computer less and less over the next 9 years. I personally haven't plugged my iPhone into my Mac since iOS 5 hit nearly a year ago.
meh
So are we stuck with usb 2.0 for another 9 years?
I am highly confident that Apple could update it to usb 3/thunderbold without changing the "lighting" connector.
Plus I also forsee people using the cable to sync to a computer less and less over the next 9 years. I personally haven't plugged my iPhone into my Mac since iOS 5 hit nearly a year ago.
meh
73 months ago
I'm not. Apple is very comfortable in their proprietary ecosystem.
This post makes no sense.
73 months ago
So, why not USB 3?
USB 3 only carries digital data and power. It doesn't offer things like simple iPod signalling, analog audio and video signals (for relatively simple connection to other A/V devices).In future iOS devices, USB 3 could be implemented for the data portion of the interface, but a connector with more pins is needed for the additional functionality.
Note that various docks and cable adapters from the old 30-pin connector have offered line-out audio, composite video, S-Video, component video, HDMI, etc.
I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a USB 3 compatible iPhone 5 prototype sitting in a lab somewhere in Cupertino.
My guess is that current USB 3 chip solutions for mobile devices were evaluated and rejected as relatively power hungry (plus only a few computers actually have USB 3 interfaces) but as the standard becomes more prevalent and more power-thrifty chips are available, that this technology will eventually make it into an iOS device.
73 months ago
So, why not USB 3?
I'm sure Apple will gladly sell you a USB 3 Lightning cable next year for $29.
73 months ago
I think Phil has good points, but he also doesn't point out how these additions would hurt. It's not as if wireless charging gets rid of regular cable charging, for example.
If it adds no appreciable value then including it only adds cost and complexity. I'm glad they didn't bother with it. It's gimmicky.
73 months ago
What is the hard-on about inductive charging? Am I the only person who uses my device while it's charging? If the phone needs to be placed on some sort of mat or pedestal it will only make it less easy to use while charging, unless you're going to keep picking it up and putting it back down.
Now if we can get wireless over the air charging some how then count me in.
Now if we can get wireless over the air charging some how then count me in.
[ Read All Comments ]
Last week, Apple supplier TSMC saw its shares decline around nine percent after it cut its full-year revenue growth target to 10 percent, compared to its previous 10-15 percent estimate. The...
Back in January, Toyota finally announced support for CarPlay, becoming one of the last major car manufacturers to support Apple's system for accessing iPhone apps through a vehicle's...
Recognizing the utility of Markup annotation tools, Apple has extended their availability in recent versions of iOS, but it's worth bearing in mind that you can access a similar and equally...
Each year, Apple offers free WWDC scholarships to students and STEM organization members who don't have the $1,599 necessary to purchase a ticket to the company's annual developer...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with ColorWare to give MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of custom-painted AirPods, which are available in dozens of different colors.
...
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are planning to combine their online payment options into "a single button," hoping to make customers' shopping easier and reduce friction...
AT&T is planning to add a new streaming service to its lineup called "AT&T Watch," priced at a low cost of $15 per month with the removal of all sports channels. The service will...
LG Display is widely considered to be ramping up its OLED display production capabilities in hopes of securing orders for Apple's next-generation iPhone lineup, expected to be released later this...
