Apple includes an authenticator chip in the new Lightning cable to prevent unauthorized third-party cables, but it looks like somebody cracked the chip, paving the way for cheaper third-party Lightning cables and accessories.
According to MacRumors a Chinese company called iPhone5mod has a new Lightning cable and iPhone 5 dock that use chips obtained from Apple-approved factories. The new cables use the official authenticator chips, but the company also has access to other third-party chips.
iPhone5mod used the chips to create its iPhone 5 Flash Lightning Dock and cable. The Flash Lightning Cable is a standard Lightning-to-USB cable that also lights up when it’s plugged in. The Flash lightning Dock looks like any other iPhone dock but with a Lightning connector instead of a 30-pin Dock Connector.
Both the cable and the dock cost $19.90 individually or $39.90 as a pair.
When talking to MacRumors iPhone5mod claimed that it has access to third-party chips that bypass Apple’s authentication. These chips let the Lightning cable function as it normally would with the official chips installed, including dynamic pin assignments.
With these new third-party chips we might see a rise of third-party cables and accessories that will work like Apple’s cables without the need for Apple’s approval.
Apple is reportedly planning a seminar regarding Lightning cables and other changes made to Made for iPhone in November. After that meeting is when we expected to see the first working third-party Lightning accessories.
Now we’ll likely see a few more third-party accessories in the coming weeks. Apple partners who want their products in Apple Stores, however, will still probably use Apple’s official Made for iPhone program instead of using these cracked chips.
Awesome! I am tired of all these stupid ca les, power adapters and other proprietary crap. It causes confusion, a d to the waste stream, and costs us unnecessary money when we change or upgrade devices. We some international standards and regulation in the data cable, power cable, a d power adapter arenas.
The new iOS 6 auto correct really sucks!
apple, when will you fking stop ripping money off us?
I agree–19USD is so expensive
http://www.esorun.com/cable-lightning/50-lightning-new-cable.html
It’s fantastic to see that the chip is hacked. We all iphone 5 owners look forward to seeing cheaper cables coming out. Apple stop your monopoly, we extremely hate what your cheap way in making money.
What does the chip do? Just sync? I’ve heard all cables will charge. Who even needs sync. Everything’s on cloud now.
It’s unfair for existing iphone4 and 4s users.Especially you have some accessories with 30-pin connector. Cracked Lightning is a good choice for the existing apple users.
http://www.esorun.com/cable-lightning/50-lightning-new-cable.html