Apple to exclusively sell Dock Connector adaptors

Though the change in design is the most talked about feature of the upcoming iPhone, another headline grabbing feature is that the next iPhone aka the iPhone 5 will come with an all new Dock Connector. The reason this component is gaining a lot of attention is because it is believed that all future iOS devices will come equipped with this new Dock Connector that is a lot smaller than the 30-pin connector used on current iOS devices. Many consumers of third party docks have been left clueless as to how their devices will be compatible with this new connector if they are to buy upcoming iOS devices. A report by iLounge has provided the answer for this by stating that Apple will initially be the exclusive vendor of Dock Connector adaptors that will be compatible with third party iPod/ iPhone docks.

Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge states, “Additional sources have confirmed to iLounge that Apple will be the exclusive initial vendor of a new Dock Connector Adapter, to be sold individually and/or in three-packs. According to sources, the Dock Connector Adapters will sell for approximately $10 each or three for $29, with Apple-branded new USB cables selling for $19 each. For reference, Apple’s MagSafe to MagSafe 2 Converter sells for $9.99, while international pricing for Apple’s earlier iPhone Micro USB Adapter is €9 ($11) or £8 ($13).”

The report also comments on what this means for third party vendors and the author states that Apple could cash in on this by being the sole distributor of these Dock Connector adaptors. The report states, “Some developers fear that Apple will corner the market for both the adapters and cables, much as it did with MagSafe connectors for MacBook laptops, using licensing agreements and threats of lawsuits to prevent less expensive third-party solutions from coming to market. One source notes that Apple will reap a windfall by limiting competition in this manner, generating revenues of $100 million for every 10 million Dock Connector Adapters it sells for $10. According to the source, Apple estimates that it will sell the first 10 million adapters by the end of 2012.”

Apple to sell adaptors for this connector

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the number of pins that will feature on the new dock connector and though the images show the connector to feature 8-pins, with the metal frame around it being counted as the 9th pin.

The new connector will feature other design innovations and will potentially include the ability to connect with docks or cables in either orientation, much like the case with the MagSafe power connector found on Apple’s Mac range of laptops.

The next iPhone is expected to feature a major design overhaul and is said to be much bigger, measuring 58.47 mm wide, 123.83 mm high and 7.6 mm thin with a 4-inch display. As previous reports have indicated, the headphone jack will also be relocated from the top of the iPhone to the bottom. The size of the dock has been reduced drastically and is much smaller and similar to the size of a microUSB. This last bit fits in line with the fact that the redesigned dock connector will not feature the traditional 30-pin configuration and instead opt for a smaller one.

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