Apple Lightning Cable Patent found - pinouts and voltages and whatnot inside

Started by aliensporebomb, May 10, 2013, 10:43:01 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

aliensporebomb

My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

admin



(glad Im off the apple "carousel of progress "

Goodbye Lightning Connector? Apple Reveals iPhone Charging Changes



   

Gordon Kelly , CONTRIBUTOR
I write about technology's biggest companies 
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
Apple AAPL +1.1% is not sentimental. When the company wants to move on it cuts ties with the past, whether people like it or not. And now, following in the footsteps of the Dock Connector and headphone jack, Apple looks set to do it again...


Picked up by Patently Apple, the US Patent & Trademark Office has today published a pair of Apple patent applications which change the shape of its ubiquitous Lighting connector. The Lightning connector has been the standard port for charging iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch since 2012 and is used by billions of devices.

Apple
Apple's potential new Lightning connector replacement focuses on water resistance

The central idea behind both patents is the same: increased water resistance.

They show Apple is concerned that otherwise water-resistant devices like the iPhone, can still be exposed to water damage if they get wet while charging. The new connector would address this by changing to a wedge-shape to create a tight vacuum seal, and with the option to go a step further and strengthen that with the addition of a generator and pistons inside the device.


Unplugging your iDevice would become more complex as this requires breaking the vacuum seal, something Apple proposes is done through a software interface on the phone.

Now it goes without saying that anything which improves the durability of an expensive piece of equipment should be welcomed but, for me, there are significant problems here:

1. Goodbye USB-C

Changing any ubiquitous port causes users frustration and expense, but if so do it for USB-C. This standard was co-developed by Apple and is central not only to its Mac and MacBook ranges, but the future of technology products worldwide.

2. Increased Tripping And Breaking Hazard

Sealing a charging cable so tightly into a phone that it requires software to extract goes against everything the much loved MagSafe connector stood for. Your device may be safer from spills while charging but neither it, the cable or you are safer if you trip over it.

3. Wireless Wonderland

Apple argued the headphone jack had to die because the future of audio is wireless headphones. Well, the future of charging is wireless charging. It isn't ready yet (Apple's own 'AirPower' standard hasn't even launched), but no ports at all is a better route for waterproofing devices long-term and the Lightning cable should be retained until wireless charging is mature.

Apple
Wireless is the future of iPhone charging

Don't Panic

Of course, the obvious point to make at this stage is to remain calm. The patents do reveal Apple has been working on this new connector since Q1 2017, so development may be more advanced than we know, but there's no proof as yet that the current Lightning port is going anywhere soon.

Notably, the 2018 iPhone design changes are already finalised and all models have a Lightning port.

Personally speaking, if I were Apple I'd scrap these changes. Wireless charging is the future and there is nothing wrong with the Lightning port (other than not being USB-C) until that future arrives. Then again, I'm not Apple and doing the unexpected has served it better than anyone over the last decade.

So whatever I think or you think, Apple has its own plans and it is going to act on them...

___

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2018/03/08/apple-lightning-port-change-end-iphone-ipad-ipod/#417f5f65354f

vtgearhead


admin

https://bgr.com/2018/09/05/usb-c-to-lightning-cable-2018-iphone-rumors/

Ditch your Lightning cables, because Apple is about to go all-in on USB-C to Lightning

Chris Mills  @chrisfmills
September 5th, 2018 at 10:02 PM

One of the easier-to-believe rumors about this year's iPhones — which we discovered today will include the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max — is that Apple is going to ship a USB-C charging block in the box. The USB-C charger, when connected to an iPhone with a USB-C to Lightning cable, will enable fast charging of iPhone devices, and move us one tiny baby step closer to a totally USB-C future.

We've heard all the rumors before, but a new report from Macotakara corroborates previous reports, as well as supplying new details. Apple reportedly told partners in its Made for iPhone program that they'll be able to sell licensed USB-C to Lightning cables in the near future, according to the outlet.

Per the report, the cables will be able to deliver 18 watts of power to devices that support it, which is consistent with the USB-C to Lightning fast-charging that we've already seen on the iPhone X. Fast charging is one area where Android has consistently been beating the iPhone; device manufacturers have quick-charge standards that can go up to 40 watts in some cases, allowing users to juice up their batteries in minutes.

For potential iPhone Xs upgraders, the news that Apple's going to allow third-party cables will be somewhat welcome. Apple's cables are notoriously expensive, and while official MFi cables are never cheap, it can at least give you an option.

On the other hand, this seems to confirm that Apple is really getting behind the USB-C to Lightning connectivity option, which isn't great news for current customers. It feels like only yesterday that Apple went from the 30-pin connector to Lightning; with the limitations of the Lightning standard and the fact that the MacBook Pro has already moved to USB-C, it only seems like a matter of time until Apple goes to USB-C for the iPhone — or ditches the physical port altogether.