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

[jpeyton]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mobile...ocess_May_Affect_Third_Party_Accessories.html

The authentication chip not only stops third-party makers to manufacture Lightning cables for various accessories for the iPhone 5, but naturally makes life of various add-ons for the iPhone a lot harder since they not only need to learn how does the Lightning work, but also to get the chips from Apple.

Bad news for those of you waiting for cheaper Lightning cables/adapters from the far east, Apple has locked third-parties out with an authentication chip.

This news comes on the heels of former chief Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki slamming Apple's Lightning connector as "arrogant":

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...le-for-arrogance/story-e6freuy9-1226479796539

"This connector thing, I think it's pure arrogance," Mr Kawasaki said. "They say 'we want to save space and go from 30 pins to whatever number of pins it has now'. Well, if the goal was really to save space why didn't you just go to a micro USB like everybody else in the world, and we could all get a cable at 7-11 for $5.

"But no, you had to have a proprietary one. It fries my brain, I don't understand it. It's just arrogance and I'm disappointed very much in that."

Mr Kawasaki, who describes himself as being responsible for "maintaining the (Apple) Macintosh cult" during two stints with the company in the 1980s and 1990s, told The Daily Telegraph the much-criticised new cables were not only an unfair cost to consumers, but were socially irresponsible.

"I'm sure there is some engineering justification for it, but if you look at the total cost to the world, I don't know how you can do this," he said.

"There are millions of cables out there, and millions of docks out there, and every owner needs one for his briefcase, one for his home, one for his car, one for an office, so four cables really."

 

[Yuriman]

Just wow.

 

[Bill Brasky]

This makes total sense. Of course cables are huge part of apples revenue and try don't want anyone else taking that... Screwing everyone over in the process.

 

[Strk]

There's still the option from Europe. Supposedly they require a usb adapter.

 

[Dulanic]

LOL Apple tries to rip off the customer coming and going and doing every little thing they can. They prove it time and time again.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Is there a purpose for the change to Lightning other than for Apple to earn loads of money off connectors, cables, dongles, and converters?

 

[Rifter]

not surprised, will add to the list of reasons I will never buy an apple product.

 

[shortylickens]

Is there a purpose for the change to Lightning other than for Apple to earn loads of money off connectors, cables, dongles, and converters?

The connector itself is actually better. Its smaller, reversible and therefore allows for more and better accessories over time.
Of course, right now the vast majority of accessories are 3rd party. And they wont be able to compete if their final product is as expensive or more expensive than Apple's. So yeah, this was pure greed, and not smart. They're gonna be mad when this thing doesnt get world support.

 

[Dulanic]

The connector itself is actually better. Its smaller, reversible and therefore allows for more and better accessories over time.
Of course, right now the vast majority of accessories are 3rd party. And they wont be able to compete if their final product is as expensive or more expensive than Apple's. So yeah, this was pure greed, and not smart. They're gonna be mad when this thing doesnt get world support.

What I have yet to figure out is how Apple manages to be sooooo anti competitive yet they seem to have the governments in their pocket? Hell look at the late 90's & early 2000's and how much all the counties went after Microsoft for doing things that were less anti competitive than what Apple is doing.

 

[zsdersw]

What I have yet to figure out is how Apple manages to be sooooo anti competitive yet they seem to have the governments in their pocket? Hell look at the late 90's & early 2000's and how much all the counties went after Microsoft for doing things that were less anti competitive than what Apple is doing.

Money talks.

 

[Dulanic]

Money talks.

That explains the USA, but I'm surprised the EU hasn't gone after them.

 

[bearxor]

I bet we see < $10 cables from Monoprice by the end of the year.

 

[zsdersw]

I bet we see < $10 cables from Monoprice by the end of the year.

I have no doubt that someone will find a way around this, but what's despicable is that Apple would do it in the first place.

 

[Oyeve]

Apple never ceases to amaze me with out douching themselves . What assholes. Yet people love the shit out of them.

 

[zsdersw]

For Apple it's either just about the money or they feel microUSB is "beneath" them and too much a "common man" thing... or both.

Any way you slice it, <profanity removed> Apple.


Infraction for profanity, post edited
Moderators PM and TheStu

 

[Druidx]

I read a review of the Iphone 5 a few days ago, it was written by an apple fan boy who was basically creaming himself over how great the Lightning connector was. He claimed all the negative comments were from people who simply didn't realize how revolutionary the connecter was compared to the micro-usb. Why? because it can be plugged in either orientation. He complained he was constantly having to flip the micro-usb plug over to connect his android devices but not with the new iphone and lightning connector. He bragged how it would save busy people like him seconds every day.
LOL

 

[mosco]

Putting some cold water on the "authentication" chip:

http://brockerhoff.net/blog/2012/09/23/boom-pins/

 

[Qbah]

There's still the option from Europe. Supposedly they require a usb adapter.

It won't be bundled here with the phone. You have the "option" of buying the adapter from Apple, at 19€´I think

 

[Dari]

I'm shocked, shocked at all the Apple hate here. Fact is, Apple is a company. THey are as luxury as you're going to get in the electronics space. If you don't like their product and want to go gutter cheap, buy a plastic Samdung toy.

 

[Yuriman]

Putting some cold water on the "authentication" chip:

http://brockerhoff.net/blog/2012/09/23/boom-pins/

Enlightening article. It seems that the lack of 3rd party cables and accessories will be... perhaps not an unintended consequences, but at the very least a secondary concern.

 

[Oyeve]

I'm shocked, shocked at all the Apple hate here. Fact is, Apple is a company. THey are as luxury as you're going to get in the electronics space. If you don't like their product and want to go gutter cheap, buy a plastic Samdung toy.

Do you sleep with your iphone 5 up your butt and call yourself all night? Seriously, even cultist find this connector chip stupid. And people like you just blindly allow it to happen. Samsung a cheap plastic toy? Riiight, at least our paint doenst rub off in the box.

 

[buckshot24]

I'm shocked, shocked at all the Apple hate here. Fact is, Apple is a company. THey are as luxury as you're going to get in the electronics space. If you don't like their product and want to go gutter cheap, buy a plastic Samdung toy.

You lost it right at the end there.

I would pay double for my s3 if my only alternative was apple. Better phone.

 

[Genx87]

Heh Apple fans have always been a glutton for punishment. I think they enjoy overpaying for an Apple product so they can showoff to their friends. Like the douche who buys the 8 cylinder truck he can barely afford to put gas into, all to impress his neighbors.

 

[zsdersw]

I'm shocked, shocked at all the Apple hate here. Fact is, Apple is a company. THey are as luxury as you're going to get in the electronics space. If you don't like their product and want to go gutter cheap, buy a plastic Samdung toy.

Is this hanging up on your wall:

 

[Dari]

I only buy Apple products for friends and family because I do not like the fact that you cannot tinker with them. The last iPhone I had was given to me as a present but destroyed in a hotel room in Tokyo by an irate individual. So, no, I am not beholden to Apple. I have several Android products and love them. I just don't like the hate Apple gets here. It's beyond stupid and near comical. People here are envious of their success and want to see them fail. Sad.