Accessories
iPhone 5 Lightning to Dock Connector Adapters Start at $29
With its new lineup of iOS devices Apple changed the 30-pin dock connector to a new Lightning connection, but users can buy accessories if they want to keep their old cables and accessories.
Apple has two options for users who want to keep their same cables and accessories.
The Lightning to Dock Connector Adapter, which Apple showed off on stage is an adapter that connects to the bottom of the iPhone 5, new iPod touch, or new iPod nano. The adapter looks a lot like the iPad Camera Connection Kit, and costs $29.
Lightning to 30-pin adapter
The second option is an adapter cable that connects a 30-pin cable and converts it to a Lightning cable. The cable is 0.2 meters long (about 7.9 inches), making it just long enough to not make a huge difference to users.
The $29 adapter is best for connecting to old cables or free-standing speaker docks. For docks with limited space for the iPhone, the $39 cable is the best option.
Lightning to 30-pin adapter cable
Both options are useful for users who want to keep their old cables, though at $19 it is much cheaper to just buy a Lighting cable instead. These adapters are necessary for users who don’t want to buy new speakers and other accessories. The adapters are expensive, but still cheaper than buying new speakers and docks.
Both adapters will ship sometime in October, though we don’t know exactly when in October they’ll ship. The Lightning cable, by comparison, will ship within 1-3 days.
Man Cave Daily (@ManCaveDaily)
09/12/2012 at 4:54 pm
Thanks for the Details about the adapter Shawn. I think apple Could have just used the 30-pin connector again. Seems like they are trying to be innovative but its just costing people money. Check out my review here: https://themancavedaily.com/2012/09/new-iphone-5-lighting-connector/
Not a fan
09/12/2012 at 5:05 pm
They couldnt do this modification to the 30 pin yrs ago? Really? They had to wait this long to do it and why? All those years spent with people spending more and more money on gadgets(specifially the iHome line of iPhone/iPod stuff) and iHome drooling over the fact that they can now double up on people upgrading to the new iPhones/iPods…incredible. I wonder how much the likes of iHome and similar iPhone/iPod gadget/speaker manufacturing companies paid Apple to hold off on introducing the new adapter. Does anyone remember the days when each phone had its own charging adapter-what a joke! Thanks Tim Cook.
Mapple
09/12/2012 at 8:53 pm
I couldn’t agree more, that’s just what companies wanted. New pin new devices to buy. Im sure iPods and iPhones did so great because almost everything was compatible.
chrisnfolsom
09/13/2012 at 11:25 am
Come on – no one could have guessed about the shrinking size of ipods and iPhone’s – cables and adapters naturally change – “evolve” if you will. They have to “bite the bullet” at some point – I just wish they had gone with the magnetic locking cable similar to the power cables. I am sad about loosing some of the outputs like TV, but they have wireless TV through google TV. You can always buy a Samsung….
wingnetengineer
09/15/2012 at 4:46 pm
They could have simply used the micro-USB connector like most already do/did. Apple is all about prorpriatary hardware, always have been.
Joseph Wang
09/18/2012 at 5:23 pm
New iphone 5 users do not have to get the Lightning to 30-Pin adapter, here’s a much better solution called the iSkin Cerulean sold on Amazon and eBay and etc : check this out:
video about this great alternative: https://youtu.be/-lPhlzhpD9k.
Least expensive website to buy: https://www.insidecomputer.com/category_s/1821.htm.
Quinten
10/01/2012 at 6:56 am
Joseph,
For me, the practical thing about a ‘dock’ is that you can charge your iphone while using it as an audio source. Bluetooth is just a way of transfering audio… And lets hope not only audio from the phone function (like it is right now).
Herman
10/17/2012 at 11:09 am
With this adapter (lightning to 30pin) used for a docking station, does all functions of the ipod5 remain? Such as charging, audio, video, remote control of the docking station to switch music tracks? Or are certain functions lost?
DR.Bob
12/18/2012 at 4:44 pm
The adapters do not work with any of my ihome products! I purchased three different adapters and “NONE” of them interface with the products. Yes, they will allow you to charge you phone. But that is it!