Apple moving from 30-pin to Micro USB?

[Xil3]

I was just thinking - if they do move over to micro-usb, that will make most of the accessories useless (for the ipod, iphone and ipad), which means we have to dish out more money.

Don't get me wrong though - I think this move is great, but it will affect our wallets.

What are your thoughts on this?

And if you haven't heard about the move to micro-usb, check out this article:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/986403/

 

[ChazUK]

As they've recently done this I doubt it.

I can't ever see them dropping the 30 pin connector as it's pretty much a universal and well supported part of the iPod/iPhone/iPad system. One of the many positive aspects to the platform IMO.

 

[netdog]

It's going to be forced in the EU, at least for the phones, so yeah, I think we are going to slowly see the 30-pin dock connector disappear.

 

[Xil3]

As they've recently done this I doubt it.

I can't ever see them dropping the 30 pin connector as it's pretty much a universal and well supported part of the iPod/iPhone/iPad system. One of the many positive aspects to the platform IMO.

Yeah, but even if they release any new ipod/iphone/ipad with the new micro-usb port, there will still be millions of their old devices in circulation, so they'll still be making money off of the 30-pin - hence why they just released that.

And I understand your point, but I don't think it's going to be their choice - they either adopt these changes required by the EU or they won't be able to sell in the EU. Aside from that though, they have already agreed to do it, and this should trickle down to the US as well.

Here's a clip from a news article at 'Routers':

Reuters reports that ten top mobile phone manufacturers, including Apple, have agreed to adopt the Micro-USB connector standard for smartphone chargers in the European Union. The shift, planned to begin next year, will allow smartphones from the companies, which control 90% of the market, to use the same charging cables. Apple currently uses a proprietary dock connector compatible with both the iPhone and iPod touch.

 

[OllyW]

It's going to be forced in the EU, at least for the phones, so yeah, I think we are going to slowly see the 30-pin dock connector disappear.

Yeah, but even if they release any new ipod/iphone/ipad with the new micro-usb port, there will still be millions of their old devices in circulation, so they'll still be making money off of the 30-pin - hence why they just released that.

And I understand your point, but I don't think it's going to be their choice - they either adopt these changes required by the EU or they won't be able to sell in the EU. Aside from that though, they have already agreed to do it, and this should trickle down to the US as well.

Here's a clip from a news article at 'Routers':

This post from NightFox from the discussion linked in the first post clears a few points up. The EU legislation is for the charger, not the phone. Apple don't need to add Micro USB to the iPhone to comply with the new rules.

OK, here's my existing UK iPhone charger. Note the USB 'A' port in the base into which I currently connect my iPhone's charging cable.

And here's the part of the EU MoU that deals with chargers with detachable cables: (I've numbered the sections for reference)

1. An EPS provided with a detachable cable shall be equipped with a USB Standard-A receptacle.

2. Standard detachable cable assembly, supplied for use with the EPS, shall have Standard-A and Micro-B plugs and meet the USB-IF Cable Assembly Test Requirements for Compliant Usage of Connectors and Cables in Micro-USB 1.01. (http://www.usb.org/developers/compliance/cable/).”

3. Above requirement also applies to detachable cables used as adaptor i.e. where the Micro-B is replaced by a proprietary plug​

So, Requirement 1: existing charger already meets this requirement

Requirement 2: refers to the 'standard detachable cable' which has to terminate in a Micro-USB plug. However, where a non-standard charging port exists on the phone, the manufacturer can supply an adapter, which can actually be this cable. In other words, the detachable cable can terminate in a proprietary plug and itself be classed as an adapter; the adapter doesn't need to be be a removable one stuck onto the end of a Micro-USB plug. So requirement 2 is not relevant in this case.

Requirement 3: this is the type of adapter cable Apple already uses for charging: the Micro-USB plug is replaced by a proprietary plug.

In other words, Apple's existing iPhone charger already meets these requirements by having a USB A socket in the charger and a detachable cable adapter with its proprietary connector on the other end.

Damn Brussels and its fascist, innovation stifling, market-killing legislation.

 

[Xil3]

Fair enough - but they did agree to adopt the Micro-USB connector standard for smartphone chargers in the European Union, which means that they will be moving (from my understanding) from the 30-pin to Micro-USB eventually.

There were also rumors floating around about the new iPad 2nd Gen using Micro-USB vs 30-pin, but who knows...

 

[fishmoose]

Fair enough - but they did agree to adopt the Micro-USB connector standard for smartphone chargers in the European Union, which means that they will be moving (from my understanding) from the 30-pin to Micro-USB eventually.

There were also rumors floating around about the new iPad 2nd Gen using Micro-USB vs 30-pin, but who knows...

No they won't, as seen in the post above yours you don't need to have an Micro-USB connector in order to comply with the EU regulations. The 30-pin most likely is here to stay.

They mad add an Micro-USB to the iPad for other reasons but they don't need to.

 

[Stella]

One standard connector for *charging* is great. We can pick up any USB mini cable and charge any of our devices.. rather than trying to hunt for the right cable.

 

[Xil3]

No they won't, as seen in the post above yours you don't need to have an Micro-USB connector in order to comply with the EU regulations. The 30-pin most likely is here to stay.

They mad add an Micro-USB to the iPad for other reasons but they don't need to.

Well, that's just a matter of opinion, rather than fact.

Non of us know what Apple will do next - they may, or may not implement micro-usb.

Doesn't really matter what the 'above' post said.

 

[BigQid]

I hope they do micro usb because its a smaller opening thus making a smaller area for water to get into. I've water damaged 2 iphones. The second time it was with barbecue sauce. It covered half the opening, the phone went nuts. I'm on my third iphone now. What they need to do is make this phones at least somewhat water tight.

 

[cherry su]

I think Apple will ship a little connector that converts from 30pin to micro-usb for charging purposes.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I think Apple will ship a little connector that converts from 30pin to micro-usb for charging purposes.

Leave it to Apple to over-complicate things, and sell it as a "simplicity" feature

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

I've always wondered what the point of the 30-pin connector is. What can it do that a 5-pin usb cant? Proprietary (and consequently overpriced) cables are one of my most despised things.

 

[millar876]

I've always wondered what the point of the 30-pin connector is. What can it do that a 5-pin usb cant? Proprietary (and consequently overpriced) cables are one of my most despised things.

USB power, USB data, line level audio, component video out, composite video out, audio in and remote controller data as well as power out at the came time as many of these other options. For example. Using the appropriate cables/docks/ stands you can output audio and video whilst charging and issuing remote commands to the device. So it's not just a proprietary USB connector. It dose so much more.