Connect with us

Editorials

I Love the New Lightning Connector

Published

on

Count me as someone who’s seen the light or Lightning in this case.

As Apple launches the iPhone 5, the new sync and charging connector goes from an often used but seldom considered aspect of Apple device design to a much maligned facet of the iPhone 5.

As the owner of more than a few 30-pin dock connector devices, like a dock on my nightstand, a speaker dock on my office desk and a car audio and charging cable I understand the angst. None of these accessories work with the iPhone 5 until the $29 Lightning adapter ships in October.

Before I plugged the Lightning connector into my iPhone 5 I hated the idea of a new dock connector. It seemed like nothing more than a money grab by Apple. Even with the iPhone 5 teardown findings, I think money was a motivator for Apple’s dock connector change, but it’s not the only motivation.

Despite the costly change, I love the new Lightning connector! It’s a great change!

iphone 5 lightning cable

Apple new Lightning cable compared to old 30-pin dock connector

The new Lightning cable connects to the iPhone easier than the 30-pin connector.

I learned the hard way just how much of a pain the 30-pin dock connector could be when I damaged the dock connector of my iPad because I tried to plug-in the 30-pin connector in complete dark. Apple exchanged my iPad for free under warranty, but it could have been an expensive error. The Genius Bar employee told me this was a common problem and I needed to pay more attention. I’m still nervous when I plug the dock connector into the iPad.

The new Lightning connector slides into the iPhone without a hitch and because it is reversible I don’t need to figure out which end is up late at night.

The change isn’t cheap. I will need to replace my accessories or buy adapters. I’m hoping someone will design an insert that lets me dock the iPhone 5 with my old 30-pin dock. Apple’s solution certainly adapts the two connectors, but I’m not confident that my phone will sit safely in a dock with their adapter. I want one that will not only bridge the two connectors but grasp the bottom of the iPhone. Apple used to include inserts that hold the bottom of the phone securely with earlier generation iPhones.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Patrick

    09/24/2012 at 8:58 am

    They could have used Micro USB. Oh wait, it is nothing but a money grab.

  2. dave

    09/24/2012 at 1:12 pm

    An environmental and consumer travesty. Total money grab.

  3. CD.

    09/27/2012 at 8:42 am

    Disagree completely… Not a money grab. The thing actually works. Micro USB cables are the cheapest, flimsiest pieces of crap I’ve ever used. Every single one is made poorly, no matter how much you spend, and with some wear and tear, you’ll find yourself starting to jiggle them in the port in order to get a connection. Apple needed to get rid of the 30 pin, it’s ancient. 9 years in the world of today’s technology is like 50 years. It works both ways, which is definitely something you don’t appreciate until you use it. And for those bitching about it only being USB 2.0? Well, who the hell is actually clocking speed on this? Who actually uses the USB cable to sync their phone? I back-up with iCloud, sync with iCloud, share photos and videos with iCloud… You don’t need to plug in anymore unless your charging. Only cheap-nerds with no taste would like generic, black, plastic trapezoids that don’t fit properly into your device. Shut up, upgrade, spend a few extra bucks and enjoy. It really does feel better than anything else out there, it gets the job done, and is just a pleasure to use.

  4. dotmit

    10/03/2012 at 8:42 am

    Meh, I kind of agree with you but you should get off your high horse about micro USB. Micro USB is not flimsy as you say. It’s pretty rock solid, and good enough for every other phone manufacturer on the planet.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.