Change is good: Apple to shrink wide dock connector for smaller version
Long overdue change expected to be seen with the iPhone 5
Starting with the iPhone 5 (slated to be released this October), Apple will drop its wide connector and start going with a smaller one instead.
Apple will reduce its 30-pin port down to a 19-port instead with the launch of the iPhone 5. (Via: geardiary.com)
As opposed to the proprietary 30-pin port that Apple gadget users are familiar with, the company will switch over to a 19-pin connector port to make room for the long-rumored and horribly-kept-secret shift of having the device’s earphone port moved to the base of the device.
What this means for the industry
The immediate impact of this move is that the new phone will not be able to connect with accessories like speakers and power charges without an adaptor.
For the industry that makes these accessories, however, this means new business.
“It represents an opportunity for accessory vendors,” Pete Cunningham, a London-based analyst at technology research firm Canalys, told Reuters. “The iPhone connector has been a standard for a long time now and I would expect the same to be true for a new connector, should Apple change it as expected.”
“iPod docking speaker sales have been declining for one or two years,” an employee of a Hong Kong-based company that designs speakers especially for Apple products, told Reuters in the same report.
“My previous factory is a lucky one. They shifted the focus to Bluetooth speakers, which proved a wise decision now,” the employee said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It looks like while iPod speaker sales are going down, Bluetooth speaker sales are going up.”
Why the switch?
The 30-pin connector takes up way too much space. It measures 21 mm wide across the bottom of the phone and since new technologies like microUSB are now able to provide more power without taking up as much space, the decision becomes kind of obvious. Go smaller – or get left behind.
Furthermore, the smaller connector will now allow Apple some more freedom in terms of product design – e.g. smaller products – and improved technology – e.g. bigger battery.
No Apple user left behind
One thing that can be expected with this switch is that Apple will not leave its established customer base behind; that is, those who want to upgrade to the iPhone 5 in October, but don’t want to lose out on being able to use an expensive accessory that that they bought to use with their older-model iPhone.
The good thing is that Apple has many accessory companies lined up that will be happy to work on adaptors and adjust their technology for the chance to sell a product that complements one of the best-selling devices in the world. ■
Story via: reuters.com
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