dock connector

iPhone dock extender solves the problem of bulky cases

All the hullabaloo over the iPhone 5's new dock connector reminds me of a problem I had long before Apple's Lightning struck.

See, my iPhone 4S lives inside a case just bulky enough that it won't fit in most docks. Consequently, I can't easily charge my phone or listen to music via one of the many speaker docks scattered around my house. I'd have to take the iPhone out of the case every time, and that's way too big a hassle.

So, what, am I supposed to switch to a smaller case? Or go … Read more

The 404 1,129: Where free Apple iPhone 5 free Apple iPhone 5 (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- CNET iPhone 5 Editors' take

- Apple unveils new iPod Touch with 4-inch screen

- New iPod Nano: Remembering the iPod Mini

- Apple's new EarPods were three 3 years in the making???

- Lightning Cable connects old accessories to Apple's newest port

- Apple reworks, simplifies iTunes… Read more

Apple's dock connector change is awful, don't kid yourselves

With this week's iPhone 5 announcement, Apple confirmed many rumors about the new phone, both good and bad. The most disappointing confirmation of all, though, is the resized, redesigned, and still proprietary new dock connector.

Apple calls the new connector Lightning, but giving it a clever name doesn't mean it adds anything but dollars in Apple's bank account.

The company has legendarily built a strong business on licensing its proprietary connection technology to accessory makers, and in selling its own premium cables for a handy $19 each, plus $29 for adapters. But as the rest of the … Read more

Rumored Apple dock connector may match size of Micro-USB

The iPhone 5's much-rumored new dock connector is as small as a Micro-USB plug, at least according to French tech blog site NowhereElse.fr (English translation).

Photos of a Micro-USB cable and photos of the new dock connector cable supplied by an anonymous source to the French site show the similarities between the two, most notably in size.

Rumors have floated over the past few months that Apple would reduce the size of the current 30-pin connector used on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Initial reports said the new size would use 19 pins, but later reports pointed to … Read more

Alleged iPad Mini cases reveal spot for rear camera

Apple's purported iPad Mini could offer a rear camera if the latest scuttbut is on the money.

Alleged Chinese cases for the much-rumored 7-inch tablet posted by Giz-China.com show a plastic clip on the rear cover, a sign that the iPad Mini could provide a rear-facing camera but one without an LED flash. On the front would be a FaceTime camera at the top center of the screen, just like on the 9.7-inch iPad.

The cases also seemingly reveal a thinner bezel than the one on the larger iPad. The volume control would rest on the right … Read more

A 3D rendering of Apple's next iPhone?

Rumors have abounded, images have been leaked, and today a video was released that showed all the speculative features and components of the upcoming iPhone 5.

The video, found by RazorianFly, based the iPhone design on various leaks from Asian site iLab Factory. The iPhone shows a longer and thinner screen, far fewer pin dock connector, and what looks to be a "unibody." Samsung's recently released Galaxy S3 is shown floating next to the iPhone for comparison.

It's not clear which, if any, of the supposed iPhone features will be on the new smartphone when it … Read more

The 404 1,109: Where we're running low on memory (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- F-bomb makes it into mainstream dictionary.

- Someone broke into Steve Jobs' home in Palo Alto.

- Hair-raising 4D movie theater chair gives you goosebumps.

- The CNET iPhone 5 rumor roundup.

Bathroom break video: Opting out of Olive Garden's bread bowl.… Read more

Possible reference to 9-pin dock connector found in iOS 6 beta

The latest evidence that Apple is ready to abandon its iconic dock connector in favor of a smaller solution comes in the form of a reference to a 9-pin connector in the code for iOS 6 beta.

The code string was uncovered by 9to5Mac and directly conflicts with several other reports of the possible size of a smaller dock connector. Reports of the number of pins in the new dock connector have ranged from as few as 8 to as many as 19 (or simply retaining the 30 it currently sports).

Important to keep in mind is the fact that … Read more

Will Apple make the dock connector shift in September?

Rumor alert: Apple could upgrade its recently released third-generation iPad this fall to support a smaller dock connector, according to the Apple-centric blog iMore.

The blog suggests that Apple will update its entire iOS lineup with the new connector as early as September 12. That would supposedly include the rumored iPhone 5, new iPod nanos and touches, the so-far mythical 7-inch iPad mini, and an updated version of the 9.7-inch iPad, according to unnamed sources.

Should this new rumor pan out, it remains unclear if the new iPad release would amount to a next-generation device -- i.e., the … Read more