[Macworld]

Post your comments for Apple's lead in Lightning accessories for iPhone 5, iPad faces challenges here

[Hologram]

@Adam Shah

RE:"The switch had users grumbling ...."

I suspect those who grumbled loudest were not "users" but the usual list of Apple critics.

Most "users" probably went like I did, "New connector? Yeah, sure, whatever. Love my new i(fill in blank)!"

So, in the future I would appreciate it if you didn't include me when placing blame for the inevitable stink which follows any new Apple product release.

Consider rephrasing your comment to "The switch had critics grumbling..."

This post has been edited by Hologram: 18 November 2012 - 07:16 AM

[macFanDave]

I'm not upgrading to the iPhone 5 until Monoprice.com gets in the Lightning game.

I check their site several times a week to see when they finally jump in. Since they saved me from an HDMI cable rip-off, I use Monoprice whenever possible.

[Xenu]

My strategy on iPhone buying is now primarily accessory dependent, i.e., I don't buy a new iPhone until the accessories I rely upon daily become available. The critical pieces are grippy case (Incase protective cover), car holder (ProClip); and car charging cable (short coiled cord). The time waiting for these accessories to hit the market has the added benefit that any bugs with the latest IOS will be fixed, along with initial manufacturing defects (battery, screen, etc.).

[kkay2000]

Quote

I'm not upgrading to the iPhone 5 until Monoprice.com gets in the Lightning game. I check their site several times a week to see when they finally jump in. Since they saved me from an HDMI cable rip-off, I use Monoprice whenever possible.

Yeah, Monoprice's cool! But if you need one now, newegg.com partner seller has one for ten bucks, half of Apple's price and it works, both synching & charging. Quality not too shabby either.

[pablokent]

I've been a "user" since the first Mac in 1984 and I definitely "grumbled". I applaud Apple for the new 9-pin connector that can be inserted either orientation. What I grumbled about was the price-gouging by Apple for the connectors and adapters. In addition to tremendous profit on the new great iPhone 5 that I will eventually purchase, they gouged their loyal previous customers (users) by profiting even more with these connectors, when they could have offered them for a reasonable price. So I'm delaying my iPhone 5 purchase for the reason the author states. Not that Apple cares, but they should.

[Norton]

That Apple Micro USB Cable would be an adapter.

There is always a cost to progress. It's always hurt those with large prior investments more.

I for one am happy to move on with the new standard. As long as this move is going to be sticking around for at least five to ten years. Cheaper solutions will be around shortly, but you do get what you pay for in most cases.

[DocNo]

What a lame, nonsensical headline. It's not enough for Apple to compete with everyone else but now they are competing with themselves too? Such phrasing might make sense if comparing phones or tablets - but an Apple speced cable standard? Nice try to contrive strife where non exists....

[my2cents]

years ago in the pre smartphone, pre wireless broadband era, I spent a fortune in buying accessories in order to use my cell connect to get on the compuserve from the laptop. Then mu dumb phone die. After getting a new Nokia phone, all my accessories became useless because the new Nokia had a different connector. Since then, I swore I would never ever to buy any device dependent accessories. I have 3 iPhones and an iPad, I have successfully resisted the temptation to get those speaker docks precisely for this reason. Why spend money to buy any of these docks, just to find out few months down the road
Apple decide to come up with a "new" sickening cable to make your docks obsolete? Why not just get a pair bluetooth speakers? Of course, Apple will eventually put in some Apple approved bogus codes to made normal bluetooth accessories useless

Not only this is a waste of money. Ecologically, it create more hi tech trash to pollute the environment, A perfectly usable dock is going to go into the city dump just because Apple decide to squeeze more money from its customers. And Apple call itself a green company? More like a greed company.

I like Apple's products, but Apple's greed is growing more and more insatiable, worse than the Wall street bankers. Disgusting.

[Stewsburntmonkey]

my2cents, on 18 November 2012 - 08:07 PM, said:

years ago in the pre smartphone, pre wireless broadband era, I spent a fortune in buying accessories in order to use my cell connect to get on the compuserve from the laptop. Then mu dumb phone die. After getting a new Nokia phone, all my accessories became useless because the new Nokia had a different connector. Since then, I swore I would never ever to buy any device dependent accessories. I have 3 iPhones and an iPad, I have successfully resisted the temptation to get those speaker docks precisely for this reason. Why spend money to buy any of these docks, just to find out few months down the road
Apple decide to come up with a "new" sickening cable to make your docks obsolete? Why not just get a pair bluetooth speakers? Of course, Apple will eventually put in some Apple approved bogus codes to made normal bluetooth accessories useless

Not only this is a waste of money. Ecologically, it create more hi tech trash to pollute the environment, A perfectly usable dock is going to go into the city dump just because Apple decide to squeeze more money from its customers. And Apple call itself a green company? More like a greed company.

I like Apple's products, but Apple's greed is growing more and more insatiable, worse than the Wall street bankers. Disgusting.

Apple used the same dock connector for more than a decade…

Why would Apple prevent Bluetooth from working? Why would it cripple the device it makes the majority of its profits on just to sell some piddly cables at a pitiful profit? You need to spend more time thinking and less time ranting about idiotic conspiracy theories.

[phadams]

"What a lame, nonsensical headline."

I thought the same thing. I'm pretty sure that that Apple appreciates the growth of the accessories ecosystem. It's a win for the product. They even mentioned when they introduced the lightning connector that it wouldn't be long before third party manufacturers start bringing out lightning-compatible products, which they do with the Apple seal of approval. And, yes, Apple is charging a nice little premium for the cable, but remember: this isn't a simple USB cord. It's got some electronics in it that probably drive the cost up a little higher.

[Frampton]

You can count me as grumbling. I still don't think that Apple has made the case for the superiority of the Lightning connector. Remember several years ago the many devices Apple promised would interface with their old 30-pin connector, such as sphygmomanometers and glucometers? Never happened. Now that we have the amazing Lightning, what wonders of connected data are available? Speaker docks. Yeah, that's exactly what this new connectors brings us: the same devices we had before, only more expensive. I bought an Apple Lightning to micro USB adapter last week so I'm now free to use the many charging cables I had already. Call me when Lightning gives us something that the non-Apple world doesn't already have.

[Stewsburntmonkey]

Frampton, on 19 November 2012 - 04:08 AM, said:

You can count me as grumbling. I still don't think that Apple has made the case for the superiority of the Lightning connector. Remember several years ago the many devices Apple promised would interface with their old 30-pin connector, such as sphygmomanometers and glucometers? Never happened. Now that we have the amazing Lightning, what wonders of connected data are available? Speaker docks. Yeah, that's exactly what this new connectors brings us: the same devices we had before, only more expensive. I bought an Apple Lightning to micro USB adapter last week so I'm now free to use the many charging cables I had already. Call me when Lightning gives us something that the non-Apple world doesn't already have.

I don't know where you've been but there are indeed blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters available that interface with the dock connector of iOS devices.

[Omen]

Quote

years ago in the pre smartphone, pre wireless broadband era, I spent a fortune in buying accessories in order to use my cell connect to get on the compuserve from the laptop. Then mu dumb phone die. After getting a new Nokia phone, all my accessories became useless because the new Nokia had a different connector. Since then, I swore I would never ever to buy any device dependent accessories. I have 3 iPhones and an iPad, I have successfully resisted the temptation to get those speaker docks precisely for this reason. Why spend money to buy any of these docks, just to find out few months down the road Apple decide to come up with a "new" sickening cable to make your docks obsolete? Why not just get a pair bluetooth speakers? Of course, Apple will eventually put in some Apple approved bogus codes to made normal bluetooth accessories useless Not only this is a waste of money. Ecologically, it create more hi tech trash to pollute the environment, A perfectly usable dock is going to go into the city dump just because Apple decide to squeeze more money from its customers. And Apple call itself a green company? More like a greed company. I like Apple's products, but Apple's greed is growing more and more insatiable, worse than the Wall street bankers. Disgusting.

I have to reluctantly agree. I am a cooter and have been using Apple products since the very first Fat Mac (no hard drive), but I grow increasingly restive with the expensive games they are playing. No, it's not raining. You're peeing down my pants leg.