lightning

The technology lab behind a Kickstarter-funded project to build a portable device-charging station announced today that it will refund its crowdfunded $139,170 to donors after Apple refused to license rights to its Lightning connector.

POP, a minimalist portable power station, was billed as "the intersection of charging design" and was expected to feature four retractable cords for charging a variety of devices, including iOS and Android devices. The portable charging station featured a 26,000 mAh battery capable of charging 10 iPhones, according to Junior Edison, the company behind the effort.

In addition to its portable convenience, … Read more

Apple appears to have secured use of the European trademark for Lightning from Harley-Davidson.

The term, which Apple uses to reference the connector for the new iPhone 5, was partially transferred to Apple on Thursday, according to the Trade Marks and Design Office of the European Union. TMDO documents show that the Harley-Davidson-owned trademark No. 003469541 was partially transferred to Apple under trademark No. 011399862.

TMDO defines a partial transfer as a transfer of the term for use in a limited number of goods or services, suggesting that Harley-Davidson will still be able to use the term. Harley-Davidson's trademark … Read more

Various accessories that include Apple's new Lightning connector are gradually trickling out onto the market, and JBL is the first to announce Lightning-equipped speaker docks.

The smaller $99 battery-powered model, the JBL OnBeat Micro, which gets about 5 hours of power from four AAA batteries, retails for $99 while the $199 JBL OnBeat Venue LT offers wireless Bluetooth connectivity and its dock can also accommodate the iPad Mini and the fourth-generation iPad with Retina Display. Unfortunately, of course, the docks aren't compatible with older iPhones unless you use an optional adapter. … Read more

A third-party accessories maker has finally been given the green light by Apple to make products for the Lightning connector.

Belkin said today that it will introduce an all-in-one car charger and a charge-and-sync dock for Apple's newest connector within the next couple weeks.

Apple in September unveiled the iPhone 5's new cable, dubbed Lightning, that replaces the 30-pin connector Apple has used since 2003. The iPad Mini and the newest version of the iPad use Lightning, and it's likely Apple will continue updating its gadgets to include the new connector. Since introducing the connector, Apple has … Read more

Apple's release of another new iPad this year has many scratching their heads. But Morgan Stanley's Katy Huberty sees method behind the madness.

In an investors note out yesterday, Huberty ticked off three reasons why the company unveiled the iPad 4 so soon after its predecessor, which arrived earlier this year.

First, the 3rd-generation iPad, which the analyst calls a "stale product," could have seen its sales cannibalized by the cheaper iPad Mini.

Second, sales for the 3rd-gen iPad were not as high as expected, which Huberty blamed on limited improvements over the iPad 2. Adding … Read more

Apple's new Lightning specification is living up to its speedy name.

Just one month and 11 days after announcing the connector, which replaces its decade-old 30-pin connector on devices like the iPhone, iPod and iPad, Apple has put it into all its relevant products.

There is, of course, a cost of the speed. The newly-announced, fourth-generation iPad replaces the 7-month, 7-day-old third-generation model the company debuted at its event earlier this year and that still had the legacy 30-pin adapter.

The move has left many recent buyers incensed, but the changeover overall is impressive -- especially when you look … Read more

I told you the new dock connector change was awful.

Apple unexpectedly unveiled a new fourth-generation iPad today, just six months after the birth of the cheekily dubbed "new iPad." That's the shortest planned obsolescence window I've ever seen from Apple, and CNET's Roger Cheng is not alone in feeling burned at spending $500 (or more) on a gadget that's just been significantly upgraded at the same price.

Make no mistake, though -- the suddenness of the iPad update has nothing to do with the faster A6X processor, expanded LTE support, and 10-hour battery … Read more

Although all of the attention today centers on the possibility of a new iPad launch, Apple is reportedly planning to release some decidedly less-sexy products.

Later today when the Apple Store is brought back online, customers will find four new Lightning cables available for purchase, 9to5Mac is reporting. The Apple news site has published an inventory listing showing four Lightning cable adapters.

The first two adapters, which connect Apple's new Lightning port to USB cameras and SD card-equipped cameras, will retail for $29, according to the inventory listing. Lightning-to-VGA and Lightning-to-Digital AV will set customers back $49.

Apple unveiled … Read more

iPhone 5 owners looking for cases at their local Apple store may finally see some in the next couple of weeks.

Apple-approved third-party cases could reach store shelves the week of October 22, multiple sources reportedly told 9to5Mac. Though that time frame could change, the cases should at least appear by the end of October.

The iPhone 5 hit stores almost three weeks ago, but Apple has been slow in stocking cases, screen covers, and other accessories.

Why the delay? Apple has to certify and approve every product sold in its stores, including those from third parties. And that process … Read more