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

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
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Aug 23, 2003
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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."
 

Bill Brasky

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May 18, 2006
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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

Lifer
Nov 23, 2003
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There's still the option from Europe. Supposedly they require a usb adapter.
 

Dulanic

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2000
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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

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Feb 14, 2010
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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

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
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not surprised, will add to the list of reasons I will never buy an apple product.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
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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

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Oct 27, 2000
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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

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
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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.
 

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
22,058
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Apple never ceases to amaze me with out douching themselves . What assholes. Yet people love the shit out of them.
 

zsdersw

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
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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
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Druidx

Platinum Member
Jul 16, 2002
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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
 

Qbah

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2005
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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 :p
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
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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.
 

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
22,058
880
126
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

Diamond Member
Nov 3, 2009
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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

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
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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

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
2
0
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:

apple-fanboy.jpg
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
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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.