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The Doop

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 27, 2007
66
0
Still wondering why Apple has yet to include a magnetic dock connector similar to the power adapter on Macbooks. The dock connector for iPad/iPhone/itouch isn't as satisfying. Would it adversely affect the electronics? Only reason I can think of.
 
The power adapter only supplies power, while the iPhone/iPod/iPad dock connector cable is used to exchange data between the iDevice and a computer. You don't want the cable to get disconnected in the middle of a sync! :eek:
 
How about just plain little rectangle magnets that represent the iPad to hold stuff to the fridge door?

I guess that will have to do. I still think the dock connector is clunky and could be better implemented.
 
Why not just skip all the cables and give out induction chargers and wireless syncing out of the box? :)
 
The power adapter only supplies power, while the iPhone/iPod/iPad dock connector cable is used to exchange data between the iDevice and a computer. You don't want the cable to get disconnected in the middle of a sync! :eek:

I'd rather that than having the whole thing hit the floor because I caught the cord with my foot. Which has nearly happened several times. It is kind of dopey to ship those nice magnet adapters with their laptops and these cheesy things with anything less.
 
I'd rather that than having the whole thing hit the floor because I caught the cord with my foot. Which has nearly happened several times. It is kind of dopey to ship those nice magnet adapters with their laptops and these cheesy things with anything less.

Like I said before, power adapters for the macbooks only has one function, while the iPad cable does two. I don't want to have to worry about the iPad getting disconnected while it's syncing because I bumped into it, which happens a lot when it's on a crowded desk. And while with an interupted sync you usually just have to start over, what if it happens during a firmware update/restore? I've heard that iDevices can get bricked that way.

I suppose Apple could have built two ports into the iPad, one for power and one for data exchange, so this wouldn't be an issue, but they decided to go with one port for the sake of compactness. Once they made it with one port, then they had to choose between data security vs saving it from taking a dive due to clumsy feet, and they went with data security. A decision with which I totally agree. Personally, I've had no difficulty placing the iPad cable out of the way of moving feet. I either just charge it from my iMac, in which case the entire cable is on my desk, or I plug it into a power adapter and prop it against the wall, with the cable coiled neatly out of the way.
 
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