Official Lightning Connector Support Lacking, Inspires Workarounds and DIY Mods

Tuesday October 2, 2012 12:48 PM PDT by Jordan Golson
Though Apple allowed some select hardware partners to work on Lightning connector-compatible hardware accessories, most of those are not yet for sale. However, that's not to stop some enterprising users from making do with what they have.

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The Next Web has instructions on how to modify the Elevation Dock -- a popular Kickstarter project -- to fit the iPhone 5. The site says the modification, while not perfect, is "fairly straightforward" and takes about 25 minutes to complete.

The team behind the Elevation Dock is planning to ship a bolt-in swappable mount that will support the new cord in the next several months.

Also available is the $30 dockBoss+ iPhone 5 Kit. While rather clunky, the cable allows users to listen and charge the iPhone 5 or new iPod Touch through any 30-pin connector docking station.

Readers noticing other interesting accessories or docks for the iPhone 5 and the Lightning connector should send a note to tips@macrumors.com.

68 comments


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ovrlrd
86 months ago
I have still not read a single valid reason why Apple is not selling a dock themselves.
Rating: 18 Votes
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kas23
86 months ago
This is the Thunderbolt port all over again. It has been almost 2 years and we still don't have many TB devices.
Rating: 10 Votes
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chrvdMark
86 months ago

I have still not read a single valid reason why Apple is not selling a dock themselves.


I guess it would'nt look too good selling an accessorie, they know will be damaging the phones painting when used... :/
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
MH01
86 months ago

I still have yet to see ONE valid reason why humans shouldn't be able to fly. Forget all those technical reasons and rationale, we've heard it. Just tell me one good reason why I cannot fly? Birds fly. I should fly.

ONE good reason! I DARE YOU!


Most of us are fat
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
EiriasEmrys
86 months ago
Flying Nerds

I have still not read a single valid reason why Apple is not selling a dock themselves.


I still have yet to see ONE valid reason why humans shouldn't be able to fly. Forget all those technical reasons and rationale, we've heard it. Just tell me one good reason why I cannot fly? Birds fly. I should fly.

ONE good reason! I DARE YOU!
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
APlotdevice
85 months ago

I want to know why Apple doesn't have a version of this new connector with a Thunderbolt connector at the other end instead of USB...


That would be beyond overkill for starters. As people have pointed out, the memory in current iDevices isn't even fast enough to exceed USB 2.0 speeds. The only advantage I could see to using TB is that it can supply 10W of power natively.
Rating: 3 Votes
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dcorban
86 months ago

This is the Thunderbolt port all over again. It has been almost 2 years and we still don't have many TB devices.

I believe this is because Thunderbolt is overkill for the vast majority of devices.
Rating: 3 Votes
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REDNAVE
85 months ago
I made my own FREE lightning dock by modifying the earpod case :)
Took me about two and a half hours to figure out.
Rating: 3 Votes
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tbrinkma
85 months ago

Well, I mean the black models "paint", on the antenna-frame...
I think daily use in a dock, would damage the black paint... And i guess Apple knows it...


That's anodization, not paint. Sliding it into and out of something softer than the aluminum isn't going to damage the anodization. Anybody familiar with the process (including Apple) knows that.
Rating: 2 Votes
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bbunn19
85 months ago

I have still not read a single valid reason why Apple is not selling a dock themselves.


Probably because it would restrict functionality of the headphone jack, which is now located on the bottom.
Rating: 2 Votes
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