Apple claims dibs on new dock adapters, report says
When Apple debuts its new dock plug, it will be the first to offer an adapter, potentially leaving third-party accessory makers in the lurch.
When Apple moves to a more compact version of its dock adapter, it will initially be the sole company to offer compatibility with legacy accessories, a new report says.
Citing sources, iLounge today says Apple has not shared the upcoming spec with third-party accessory makers ahead of the launch.
What's more, the report claims Apple will be ready to go with an adapter of its own that will let people use their existing 30-pin dock accessories with the new spec. For a price, that is.
"According to sources, the Dock Connector Adapters will sell for approximately $10 each or three for $29, with Apple-branded new USB cables selling for $19 each," the report says.
That pricing would be similar to the cost of Apple's MagSafe to MagSafe 2 adaptor which sells for $9.99, and is currently included as a free pack-in in the company's 27-inch Thunderbolt Display.
This is not the first such claim that Apple will offer an adapter for the newer dock connection. A report from iMore in late July noted that Apple would have that part ready to go, just like it did for the aforementioned MagSafe 2 transition. Without an adapter, customers would have needed to purchase additional power cables since the cord is attached to the power brick.
As noted in previous coverage, a change in dock technology would be the first from Apple since its transition from Firewire to USB in 2005. Since then, its dock connector has remained the same, while the company has shrunk its adapters and cable connectors.
Rumors that Apple aimed to shrink it down first cropped up last October, and gained steam with a high-profile report in February. The reasoning has been that Apple wanted to make more space within the device for other components, a trend that's already been in practice over various generations of the device. Purported photos of the new plug and its cable leaked out last month.
Apple is expected to debut the technology at its event next Wednesday, which is largely expected to introduce the company's next iPhone.