Apple Puts Authentication Chip In Lightning Cable Ensures No Cheap Third-Party Option

[Vdubchaos]

I guess I don't want to do the things that make you feel limited. I do not feel limited using Apple products.

I do

Can't get a new battery. Reseting is pain. No memory card slots. Many apps have to have "upgraded software" in order to install (which is Apples nice way of saying get our new shit).....EVERYTHING seems limited.

So, what exactly should we be comparing to Macs?.

To me, both Macs and Dells/HP etc all suck. I build my own computers so this thought never even crosses my mind.

Even if I was to buy one, I would not pay double the price for a pretty case and a logo. Apples are overly expensive, sorry.

How is your freedom limited?

Software limitations, Hardware limitation, see above. No standard plugs, OS is pretty limited as well.

There are alternatives, but they are not as easy to use as those built to work with the Apple products <shock!!!>

not sure why you continue to defend them then hehe

I addressed the cost issue above.

Where?

Sounds like you were using it wrong

Not at all, we have # of Apple product owners here at work and they even expressed their frustrations while helping me out.

Which iPod and which App?

Gen 2 Touch, I was not able to install about 10 games because "software is not up to date". .....when I tunes clearly says that it is. My guess is they don't allow newer OS for very good reason.

Just because people keep repeating this does not make it true.

I didn't expect you to feel different.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I don't believe Apple hate is no more deserved than hate for any other successful company. Any hardware company would love to force you to use their cables if they could (Motorola Xoom and Asus Transformers tablets have their own special charging cable. Asus is cuz of the keyboard attachment, I don't know why Xoom has it). It just that Apple is more successful at dictating it's own terms so their an easier target to hate.

Correct, like I said, more power to apple if they still get herds buying their product.

I will never own one.

 

[MrX8503]

14 pages over a cable. Apple must have done something right with the iPhone if people are grasping at straws over its cable.

 

[bearxor]

So, getting more on topic...

I do feel like Apple handled this situation a bit poorly. I just don't think something like a friggin' dock connector needs to be that secret. Apple could have briefed all their MFi partners on the dock connector months before the release of the iPhone 5. It didn't need to be THAT big of a secret. I imagine they could have even offered a iPhone 4S running iOS 6 betas with a Lightning connector just to MFi partners to test. Or even made some Lightning to 30-pin dock adapters (the opposite of the ones they sell now) and given those out so people could test devices and cables, and everyone could get their plantgs certified and what not.

Basically, no one has Lightning cables, docks, sound systems, car chargers, etc. Not even Apple has extra cables in their stores.

I'm all for playing your cards close to your chest. But this is a situation I don't feel HAD to happen.

 

[mosco]

I do

Can't get a new battery. Reseting is pain. No memory card slots. Many apps have to have "upgraded software" in order to install (which is Apples nice way of saying get our new shit).....EVERYTHING seems limited.



To me, both Macs and Dells/HP etc all suck. I build my own computers so this thought never even crosses my mind.

Even if I was to buy one, I would not pay double the price for a pretty case and a logo. Apples are overly expensive, sorry.



Software limitations, Hardware limitation, see above. No standard plugs, OS is pretty limited as well.



not sure why you continue to defend them then hehe



Where?




Not at all, we have # of Apple product owners here at work and they even expressed their frustrations while helping me out.




Gen 2 Touch, I was not able to install about 10 games because "software is not up to date". .....when I tunes clearly says that it is. My guess is they don't allow newer OS for very good reason.



I didn't expect you to feel different.

For what its worth, the second generation ipod touch came out in september of 2008. So its about 4 years old. It also uses an armv6 instruction set, which is why its no longer supported by more recent games.

 

[TheStu]

So, getting more on topic...

I do feel like Apple handled this situation a bit poorly. I just don't think something like a friggin' dock connector needs to be that secret. Apple could have briefed all their MFi partners on the dock connector months before the release of the iPhone 5. It didn't need to be THAT big of a secret. I imagine they could have even offered a iPhone 4S running iOS 6 betas with a Lightning connector just to MFi partners to test. Or even made some Lightning to 30-pin dock adapters (the opposite of the ones they sell now) and given those out so people could test devices and cables, and everyone could get their plantgs certified and what not.

Basically, no one has Lightning cables, docks, sound systems, car chargers, etc. Not even Apple has extra cables in their stores.

I'm all for playing your cards close to your chest. But this is a situation I don't feel HAD to happen.

I agree with this, their penchant for secrecy bit them on this one. Not that it was doing them any good, almost everything about the iPhone 5 leaked before the announcement anyway.

 

[MotionMan]

I do

Can't get a new battery. Reseting is pain. No memory card slots. Many apps have to have "upgraded software" in order to install (which is Apples nice way of saying get our new shit).....EVERYTHING seems limited.

What is a pain about resetting?

What apps are you having trouble running?

To me, both Macs and Dells/HP etc all suck. I build my own computers so this thought never even crosses my mind.

That doesn't answer my question: What exactly should we be comparing to Macs?

Even if I was to buy one, I would not pay double the price for a pretty case and a logo. Apples are overly expensive, sorry.

This is quite the Apple-hating mantra.

I explained above why I do not feel like I am overpaying for Apple products.

Software limitations, Hardware limitation, see above. No standard plugs, OS is pretty limited as well.

That is not an answer to the question. Those are vague complaints most Apple-haters seem to cling to without providing details.

not sure why you continue to defend them then hehe

I am not sure what you mean.

Where?

Above.

Not at all, we have # of Apple product owners here at work and they even expressed their frustrations while helping me out.

It took a number of people hours to boot up an iPod Touch? Yeah, either you were doing something wrong or the item was broken.

Gen 2 Touch

Shocking that 2012 software will not run on a 2008 device!

I didn't expect you to feel different.

And don't expect you to see the difference between being a blind Apple-hater and those who evaluate products and come to a reasoned conclusion.

MotionMan

 

[JKing106]

Were you around 30 years ago when it happened the first time? Because, although I wasn't, my understanding of the situation is that it is very different this time around.

I would like to know what exactly would qualify as innovation to people, and how they can expect ANY company to provide it on a schedule.

When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone he said that up until that point, Apple had provided 2 innovations to the the tech world, the Macintosh and the iPod. The iPhone we can say is number 3. 3 major, groundshaking innovations in 40 years. So, how frequently would you say that they need to roll out innovations to satisfy YOU?

Yes, I was around then. When I was a child in elementary school, and up to high school, every computer in the school library (the only place that computers for civilian use in my town at the time) was an Apple IIe. Apple owned the educational and home markets. You could buy Commodore computers (had a Vic 20 and a 64,) Tandy's, IBM's, etc. but they didn't have the market saturation of Apple. Then they became complacent and greedy because they had no competition at the time (they assumed.) Witness the original Mac, with it's astronomical price tag. Then Microsoft made their infamous deal with IBM, and the rest is history for the desktop.

The argument I'm making is Apple is repeating the same mistake in the tablet and phone markets. The iPhone 5 is basically the same phone as the original iPhone, just with a taller screen, faster hardware, slightly different aesthetics, and incrementally better (arguably) software. Apple knocked it out of the park with original iPhone and iPad. No one but a blind man, or partisan zealot will deny that. But they're resting on their laurels. No diversification is going to kill them eventually. The lower end prepaid market is wide open, and extremely lucrative. A market that Apple pointedly ignores, due to wanting to keep their "boutique" culture status. Big mistake. The competition has caught up, and is catering to ALL price points accordingly. Android, and even Windows Phones, are at usability and feature parity with iOS. There's a reason Android phones sell like hotcakes: most people can afford one.

I want Apple to stay in the game, and I want them to stay relevant, for competition's sake. When they get something right, they REALLY get it right. But they also have a habit of becoming arrogant and complacent, and more than a little greedy.

 

[TheStu]

Yes, I was around then. When I was a child in elementary school, and up to high school, every computer in the school library (the only place that computers for civilian use in my town at the time) was an Apple IIe. Apple owned the educational and home markets. You could buy Commodore computers (had a Vic 20 and a 64,) Tandy's, IBM's, etc. but they didn't have the market saturation of Apple. Then they became complacent and greedy because they had no competition at the time (they assumed.) Witness the original Mac, with it's astronomical price tag. Then Microsoft made their infamous deal with IBM, and the rest is history for the desktop.

The argument I'm making is Apple is repeating the same mistake in the tablet and phone markets. The iPhone 5 is basically the same phone as the original iPhone, just with a taller screen, faster hardware, slightly different aesthetics, and incrementally better (arguably) software. Apple knocked it out of the park with original iPhone and iPad. No one but a blind man, or partisan zealot will deny that. But they're resting on their laurels. No diversification is going to kill them eventually. The lower end prepaid market is wide open, and extremely lucrative. A market that Apple pointedly ignores, due to wanting to keep their "boutique" culture status. Big mistake. The competition has caught up, and is catering to ALL price points accordingly. Android, and even Windows Phones, are at usability and feature parity with iOS. There's a reason Android phones sell like hotcakes: most people can afford one.

I want Apple to stay in the game, and I want them to stay relevant, for competition's sake. When they get something right, they REALLY get it right. But they also have a habit of becoming arrogant and complacent, and more than a little greedy.

Apple offers the iPhone at 3 main price points, $0, $99, and $199 (on contract). They don't offer a $50 devices, or a $149 device or whatever, but they are at the same price levels as Android devices. The iPad is still more expensive (only in comparison to smaller devices), but we'll see about that after next week.

Are they producing a wildly different device every 6 months like some Android OEMs? Or even every year? No. Why should they? The designs are winners, and they sell the devices as fast as they can make them. Here is an example:

The iPhone 3G sold more devices than the iPhone 1. The 3GS sold more than both of those combined. The iPhone 4? More than the 1, 3G and 3GS all combined. The 4S sold more than the previous 4 generations combined.

They are only able to produce devices as fast as they do because of their absurd cash pile, and being able to re-use components and design assets between generations. Samsung (as an example) may sell more phones than Apple does, but I don't know if that would hold true if they weren't selling all injection molded plastic shells instead of the aluminum, steel and glass that Apple uses. I am not arguing in favor of either approach, only to say that the materials that Apple uses are more labor intensive to craft and to manufacture.

I don't think that they are resting on their laurels. I agree that there are some changes that they should consider making to the Home Screen in particular on iOS, and I personally prefer WP 7.5 to iOS even though I use an iPhone. But I don't think that they are letting the competition pass them by. I would argue that someone will always out-spec them. That's fine, but until someone can sell a better EXPERIENCE than Apple, they are doing just fine. Until someone can provide a better integrated ECOSYSTEM than Apple can provide, they are doing just fine.

Apple's market share continues to grow, and I absolutely do NOT think that they are headed on a downward slide. I think that the IT, PC and computing landscapes are changing, and trying to judge the future by the past is a sure-fire way to have egg on one's face.

 

[JKing106]

Apple offers the iPhone at 3 main price points, $0, $99, and $199 (on contract). They don't offer a $50 devices, or a $149 device or whatever, but they are at the same price levels as Android devices. The iPad is still more expensive (only in comparison to smaller devices), but we'll see about that after next week.

Those are subsidized contract prices. They're still ignoring the prepaid market, which is huge. Prepaid isn't just for drug dealers and the poor anymore. Not everyone wants, or can afford, a $100+ a month bill to own a smartphone. I know many people, personally, who can afford a contract phone, who have gone with <$200 prepaid Android phones with $50 month unlimited prepaid plans because they're tired of throwing away money on contract they're locked into. Type "straight talk sim" into Google if you need evidence of people tired of paying ridiculous phone bills wanting an alternative.

You can buy a new Galaxy Nexus, a very good current Android phone, running Jelly Bean, with a SD slot for more memory, completely unlocked from Google Play for $350 right now. Add a $15 Straight Talk sim, and you can have unlimited voice/text/data (2gb per month cap) for $540 per year ($45 per month.) As opposed to being locked into a 2 year contract for an average of $2400 ($100 per month) on top of the $200 phone price entry fee. How much does a bottom tier iPhone 5 cost again? The 4S is still selling for $450, unlocked. Add to that the new connector that makes millions of people's peripherals useless without their $30/$40 adapters/cables. That's foolish.

For Apple to be ignoring this market is a mistake, in my opinion. Most people want an iPhone. Most kids, anyway. Why in the word would you ignore the largest growing phone market? Conceit? Hubris? Snobbery? They're getting the idea with the tablet market if the rumors of the iPad mini are true, however.

 

[TheStu]

Those are subsidized contract prices. They're still ignoring the prepaid market, which is huge. Prepaid isn't just for drug dealers and the poor anymore. Not everyone wants, or can afford, a $100+ a month bill to own a smartphone. I know many people, personally, who can afford a contract phone, who have gone with <$200 prepaid Android phones with $50 month unlimited prepaid plans because they're tired of throwing away money on contract they're locked into. Type "straight talk sim" into Google if you need evidence of people tired of paying ridiculous phone bills wanting an alternative.

You can buy a new Galaxy Nexus, a very good current Android phone, running Jelly Bean, with a SD slot for more memory, completely unlocked from Google Play for $350 right now. Add a $15 Straight Talk sim, and you can have unlimited voice/text/data (2gb per month cap) for $540 per year ($45 per month.) As opposed to being locked into a 2 year contract for an average of $2400 ($100 per month) on top of the $200 phone price entry fee. How much does a bottom tier iPhone 5 cost again? The 4S is still selling for $450, unlocked. Add to that the new connector that makes millions of people's peripherals useless without their $30/$40 adapters/cables. That's foolish.

For Apple to be ignoring this market is a mistake, in my opinion. Most people want an iPhone. Most kids, anyway. Why in the word would you ignore the largest growing phone market? Conceit? Hubris? Snobbery? They're getting the idea with the tablet market if the rumors of the iPad mini are true, however.

I specified that those are contract prices, and I really don't think we should get into a conversation about the pros/cons of the pre-paid market (I know about Straight Talk, I am switching to them next month when my contract is up).

I just looked at Google's website for the Nexus, I don't see SD or MicroSD listed anywhere on it.

Also, you say that the 4S sells for $450 unlocked, but then talk about the new connector, that it doesn't use... whatever.

The Galaxy Nexus is an aberration, it is the exception, not the rule. It is the only 'flagship' Android device that sells for that price, other flagship devices sell for the same amount of money as the iPhones do. And the devices that you can get through pre-paid are certainly not flagship devices. How do you know that Apple isn't going to address the pre-paid market? You're right, it is foolish for them not to. But just because they aren't doing it on YOUR schedule doesn't mean that they aren't going to do it.

You're complaining because Apple isn't doing things that you want them to do, on the schedule that you want them to do it in... who is conceited now?

 

[bearxor]

The Galaxy Nexus is an aberration, it is the exception, not the rule. It is the only 'flagship' Android device that sells for that price, other flagship devices sell for the same amount of money as the iPhones do. And the devices that you can get through pre-paid are certainly not flagship devices.

Indeed.

 

[JKing106]

You're still ignoring the fact the Apple is ignoring a whole market to satisfy their "boutique" cultural status. It's not just me, many people in the prepaid market would like to own an iPhone. And there are many capable Android devices satisfying that market at the $200 price point that doesn't include ridiculous 2 year contract monthly phone bills, not just the "flagship" models.

I stand corrected on the SD card slot. Thanks.

 

[TheStu]

You're still ignoring the fact the Apple is ignoring a whole market to satisfy their "boutique" cultural status. It's not just me, many people in the prepaid market would like to own an iPhone. And there are many capable Android devices satisfying that market at the $200 price point that doesn't include ridiculous 2 year contract monthly phone bills, not just the "flagship" models.

I stand corrected on the SD card slot. Thanks.

How am I ignoring it? I said that you were right, they ARE ignoring it. But I was also pointing out that just because they don't sell a specifically pre-paid device doesn't mean that they WON'T.

A few were thinking that the iPhone 3GS would become a pre-paid device at $250 or $350, but I think that would be too old of a device. An iPhone 4 is still plenty fast, and if they can sell that for $350 I think that they would move a lot of units. $200 is a pipe dream, it is folly to think that they would sell it for $200.

And people in the pre-paid market can do the same thing I intend to do shortly, get the device USED. I am going to do that to get a Lumia 800 to use on pre-paid since no one but Apple wants to make a high end device that isn't the size of my car. But that is a conversation for another thread.

 

[bearxor]

I don't think Apple is completely ignoring this market.

You can buy an iPhone 3GS unlocked from several online retailers. Amazon has a seller that has them for $200. You can also buy unlocked versions of their current devices starting at 449/549/649 depending on if you're happy with a 4, 4S or 5.

To say that Apple is totally ignoring the BYOD prepaid market, they would have to pull the unlocked versions of their phones, forcing you in to a contract. They did this up until last year. Now, they do offer devices unlocked out of a contract.

And if someone REALLY want's an iphone on prepaid cheaper, there's always the used market. You can get unlocked 4S's for around $350 these days.

 

[blastingcap]

F*** apple.

 

[JKing106]

And people in the pre-paid market can do the same thing I intend to do shortly, get the device USED. I am going to do that to get a Lumia 800 to use on pre-paid since no one but Apple wants to make a high end device that isn't the size of my car. But that is a conversation for another thread.

Sorry for derailing. I'm planning on getting a used Windows 7.5, as I prefer it's UI, also. And I'm in total agreement about the new Android phones being ridiculously large.

Check this out. A little out of my price range, but new unlocked Lumia 900's for $275. Focus 2's for $250.

http://www.expansys-usa.com/windows-phone/

 

[JKing106]

I don't think Apple is completely ignoring this market.

You can buy an iPhone 3GS unlocked from several online retailers. Amazon has a seller that has them for $200. You can also buy unlocked versions of their current devices starting at 449/549/649 depending on if you're happy with a 4, 4S or 5.

To say that Apple is totally ignoring the BYOD prepaid market, they would have to pull the unlocked versions of their phones, forcing you in to a contract. They did this up until last year. Now, they do offer devices unlocked out of a contract.

And if someone REALLY want's an iphone on prepaid cheaper, there's always the used market. You can get unlocked 4S's for around $350 these days.

True.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I don't think Apple is completely ignoring this market.

You can buy an iPhone 3GS unlocked from several online retailers. Amazon has a seller that has them for $200. You can also buy unlocked versions of their current devices starting at 449/549/649 depending on if you're happy with a 4, 4S or 5.

To say that Apple is totally ignoring the BYOD prepaid market, they would have to pull the unlocked versions of their phones, forcing you in to a contract. They did this up until last year. Now, they do offer devices unlocked out of a contract.

And if someone REALLY want's an iphone on prepaid cheaper, there's always the used market. You can get unlocked 4S's for around $350 these days.

BYOD market doesn't exist in the US. Well it does but it's a smaller population than the people who overclock their computers or something.

Anyway, the 4 was sold unlocked around the world. With the 4S they finally sold devices unlocked in the US. But honestly unlocked devices in the US are mainly geared for use abroad. You can't really use them in the US for anything.

 

[ew915]

I will probably never own another apple product in my life, $40 cables are ridiculous for something that is a necessity when it comes to portable electronics

 

[TheStu]

I will probably never own another apple product in my life, $40 cables are ridiculous for something that is a necessity when it comes to portable electronics

The cables are $20, but don't let the facts get in the way of a bold statement!

 

[JKing106]

The cables are $20, but don't let the facts get in the way of a bold statement!

That's still $18.50 more than the average micro USB cable. Which has pretty much become the industry standard, by the way.

 

[dagamer34]

I just wish they sold the microUSB to Lightning adapter in the US. =/

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

That's still $18.50 more than the average micro USB cable. Which has pretty much become the industry standard, by the way.

It's not your average micro USB cable. It does way more than that.

The industry standard for charging.

 

[Anonemous]

It was $16 at the Sprint Store with the 20% off accessories promo if you buy 2 or more accessories.