Granted, the existence of a 7-inch iPad mini is far from confirmed, but the latest "evidence" to fan those rumor flames is a photo of what appears to be a dock connector flex cable that connects the smaller dock connector, headphone jack and home button connector. The photo appeared on the site Nowhereelse.fr, which also recently published photos that purportedly show the next-gen iPhone's tiny docking connector. Other reports have indicated that the iPad mini's headphone jack will be located on the top of the device (as it is on the current version of the tablet) as opposed to on the bottom, which would contradict this latest leaked photo, but this new layout corresponds to rumors about the iPhone 5. The one semblance of certainty in all this? iFixit's Kyle Wiens weighed in to say that the component "is consistent" with Apple parts.
Filed under: Cellphones
Leaked photo allegedly shows iPad mini's dock connector flex cable with headphone jack on bottom originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We've seen the rumored next iPhone's minuscule docking port more than once. Any of the cabling that plugs into that port, however, has been non-existent until today. If photos slipped to Nowhereelse.fr are more than just flights of fancy, they show a much narrower and possibly slimmer connector that matches up with the hole we've seen. It's so small that a full-size USB connector dwarfs it by comparison, and there's only eight contact pins per side (or possibly total) versus the 30 overall that we know today. We're not told if there are any special tricks besides the size reduction, though: while the new cable end looks dual-sided, there's no guarantee Apple will have eliminated the right-side-up requirement that afflicts just about every mobile-sized port format we've seen to date. If real, the redesign could lead to one less hassle for charging and syncing. It just wouldn't be much consolation to those who'd been hoping for a switch to a standard like micro-USB -- or, for that matter, to long-time iPhone owners who may have to give up or convert legions of accessories.
Update: since we first posted, the rumor has fleshed out a bit. It's claimed that there are eight pins on both sides, but that they perform different functions and might not let us plug the connector in any which way. Supposedly, the connectors also aren't the final models and reflect the problems the unnamed contractor has had meeting Apple's standards. Don't worry about claims of future iPads leaping to the new connector: if there's really a format switch underway, it's only natural that other devices will follow suit.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs
Next iPhone's tiny docking connector possibly spotted (update: more details) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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You might remember Pear, a recent Insert Coin debutant that connects your favorite iDevice dock to (almost) any Bluetooth-connected smartphone. However, you probably didn't notice its swift disappearance from Kickstarter just before the weekend. The people behind the project have contacted us, explaining that the crowdfunding site was hit with a cease and desist order for the dock converter, centering around a "trademark infringement issue." With its funding page down, Pear says it had no way to tell its supporters that product development would continue, albeit under a new name. Anyone that funded the project is advised to register at the source link below to keep up-to-date. The founders aim to return to Kickstarter in around 3-6 weeks, with several as-yet unannounced enhancements coming alongside a new logo and moniker -- something that it's going to task its backers with deciding.
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Bluetooth dock adapter Pear disappears from Kickstarter, founders promise return under new name originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 04:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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I’m already avoiding the purchase of new iPhone accessories, other than cases, in preparation for the next iteration of Apple’s iPhone, as there continue to be rumors that Apple’s new dock connector will be a 19-pin port instead of the long-standing universal iOS 30-pin port.
One possible reason for this move is to make space for the earphone jack, which is rumored to be moving from the top of the device to the bottom, but it’s also possible that the dock connector is shrinking is to allow for the next iPod nano to get even smaller, or to make room for a bigger battery inside the iPhone. Assuming the iPhone 5 will have an upgraded CPU, larger screen, and 4G connectivity, more power will be a must.
It’s likely that Apple will make a 30-pin to 19-pin adapter of some sort, which will help for charging and other corded accessories, but that won’t exactly make connecting with existing docking stands practical.
Regardless of reason, this change will certainly make current iPhone users irate, as cables, docks, adapters will all be rendered useless to anyone who upgrades to the next iPhone. Accessory-makers will be happy, since users will have to purchase more things from them.
[via Reuters]
