iPhone 5 Lightning Connector to Support Direct USB Peripheral Hosting?

Mac Otakara reports that Apple's new Lightning dock connector is capable of hosting USB peripheral devices, meaning that Apple could potentially allow users to connect devices such as keyboard and other accessories directly to their Lightning-equipped mobile products.

lightning usb cable
Apple's Lightning to USB cable

Even if the report is true, however, it would require that Apple build device support for such functionality on top of the Lightning compatibility in order to allow accessory manufacturers to tap into the USB capabilities. Such functionality is also not new with Lightning, as Apple's iPad Camera Connection Kit has long provided an adapter that allows uses to connect not only camera but also a number of other peripherals to their iPads.

ipad connection kit
Apple's iPad Camera Connection Kit with USB-based camera adapter at left

Consequently, we hesitate to give too much importance to this claim, as Apple has long had the ability to support some USB-based peripherals via the original 30-pin dock connector but has elected not to make extensive use of the compatibility and the may take a similar stance with Lightning.

Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

jrswizzle Avatar
168 months ago
Easy to do on my Galaxy S3. :)
Lol....predictable.

If you're willing to purchase a GS3 for me I'd love to check it out....but definitely not willing to give up my iPhone 5/Apple ecosystem based on my current experience with Android (Nexus 7).
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The Phazer Avatar
168 months ago
Lightning is expressly created to lock out manufacturers even of cables who aren't paying Apple a licensing fee for using the dock connector.

The idea they're going to make it easier for anyone to create accessories is laughable.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joelisfar Avatar
168 months ago
this post got less exciting as it went on... :)
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0038396 Avatar
168 months ago
Why is it not USB 3.0 :(
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
milo Avatar
168 months ago
Why is it not USB 3.0 :(

While I'd also like to see it be USB3, it has been pointed out that the bottleneck is in the speed of the memory chips in the mobile devices, which aren't even fast enough to saturate USB2.

So going with 3 instead of 2 wouldn't speed anything up.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Battlefield Fan Avatar
168 months ago
Lightning is expressly created to lock out manufacturers even of cables who aren't paying Apple a licensing fee for using the dock connector.

The idea they're going to make it easier for anyone to create accessories is laughable.

This.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)