The 30-pin dock connector used by all iOS devices is old and dated. Sure there’s a thriving ecosystem of peripherals out there that use the connection, but given the elegance of the devices, the dock feels clunky. But that could all change soon, with Apple applying for a patent that would bring it Magsafe connector technology to its iOS devices.
The patent shows how Apple is looking at closing up the 30-pin dock connector and headphone jack and replacing them with sealed magnetic connections. This would take away the two remaining open holes on the device, which could help keep liquid out and protect the internals in the case of a wet accident.
Because the 30-pin connector transfers data as well as power, it’s not just a simple case of copying the magsafe adapter from the Macbook lineup and pasting it into an iOS body. The patent describes the use of “coded magnets” in order to overcome this obstacle.
Even though it would essentially make all your current iPhone peripherals obsolete, having the convenience of a magnetic connection would overcome that inconvenience fairly quickly.
[Wired]
Image: Jon Snyder/Wired
Ross
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 9:18 AMI thought all mobile phone manafacturers where going to start using standard cables . USB mini?
TSH
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 9:33 AMIIRC there was such an agreement between all the “biggies” in the mobile game (including Apple) in the EU back in 2010. Evidently either it fell through or Apple pulled out, or perhaps when you buy an iPhone in the EU it comes with a 30-pin/μUSB adapter?
olearymo
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10:03 AMTSH yes, your second one. They have a 30 pin to microUSB adaptor.
Man it’s about time they looked at the magsafe stuff. Ever tried picking up an ipad or iphone from its dock with one hand? good luck.
Richard
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:31 AMThey have the adapter.
TBH I find the idea of a government body trying to set a standard connection a bit ridiculous. While it’s nice in the regard that all cables are compatible, thats about where it ends. Docks and other devices still are largely device specific and whats more, there are technologies out there that are better than USB2 such as USB3. While they may not yet be used on mobile phones, I’d hate to think that manufacturers had to consider holding back on newer standards because a government body had decided everyone had to use micro usb.
Besides, at least as far as Apple products go, the dock connector is so widespread that you probably have almost as much chance of finding a cable for an iPhone as you do any micro usb device.
Matt
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 9:41 AMI can understand the use of MagSafe for power when a computer has a battery to backup. I don’t understand it’s use for a cable that is transferring data.
Dre
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 9:44 AMI would assume they would sell an optional adapter for old peripherals?
maddogeco
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10:02 AMwhy cant you have a sealed phone. i use Bluetooth headphones and then get some inductive charging, data syncing over wifi then water proof the bugger
kdog
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10:50 AMmaddogeco, there are still fm transmitters, remote control dongles, ANT+ dongles, etc that need to be considered. Yes in your scenario you could have a sealed phone. Then again all of those addins could be rechannelled.
catdog
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 1:49 PMGiven the amount of complaints about the Magsafe chargers Apple has in its own website, I’d say it’s actually pretty terrible idea, except from a financial viewpoint. http://store.apple.com/us/reviews/MC461LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDEwMQ&rs=mostUseful
Richard
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:41 AMTo be fair, the vast majority who likely have had no issue probably aren’t looking up a listing of the power charger on Apple’s store. The item listing is really catering to those that have lost or damaged an existing one; and I guess the few that want two.
Kroo
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 4:27 PMSomehow I think this won’t happen. With inductive charging coming up fast and wireless syncing, there’s little left for a cable to do. Bluetooth can handle all music streaming unless airplay comes to the car as well.
Deshan
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 8:17 PMi bet pretty soon when this comes out on iPhone, fandroids will start false claims that apple is using old tech, that google created, etc.
please. apple is the best and always will be. :D
Sally
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 1:14 AMLove the idea of the Magsafe adaptor for power/data, but no, do not get rid of the 3.5mm audio jack, it is a standard which means that any headphones will work.