Next iPhone to Change Aspect Ratio, Dock Connector? I Don’t Think So
iLounge is reporting on new iPhone specs which include two major changes: a different aspect ratio, and a new dock connector. This seem surprising for two reasons.
First, changing the aspect ratio would mean that all apps have to be updated. Unless the additional space is something like the Dock in OS X; a list of icons for the most recently used apps, or those you wish to always have just a tap away. Instead of pressing the home button to change apps, you could tap one of the apps on that Dock. The downside to this is that it would be ugly. Imagine if you’re watching a video or playing a game; will that Dock disappear? I’m not convinced that this would be a good choice.
The second thing that would surprise me is a change in the dock connector. There is a huge ecosystem of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch accessories that depend on the current 30-pin dock connector. Rendering all of these accessories unusable with new models would be a severe change that would annoy millions of users. (Class action suit anyone?)
Also, changing the aspect ratio – and the size – would once again mean that your iPhone case doesn’t fit. Many cases work with both the iPhone 4 and 4S, and it’s fair to assume that a case won’t be compatible for a very long time, but Apple should try to maintain the usability of accessories as long as possible.
I think these specs are not authentic especially regarding the dock connector, which has millions, of not tens of millions of currently used devices, which would no longer function. The way the dock connector works in, say, docking stations with speakers, means that it’s not easy to add an adapter. Some devices might be able to use one, but most that I’ve seen wouldn’t work with an adaptor.
Also, if enough rumors come out that there will be a new dock connector, accessory manufacturers will have trouble selling their existing devices. I think that if Apple is definitely not planning to change the dock connector, they should make this clear, so both vendors and users can be sure that accessories will continue to work with future iOS devices.
Posted: 5/4/2012 by kirk | Filed under: iPad, iPhone, iPod & iTunes | Tags: iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPod | 10 Comments »
I agree with all your observations, except that I wouldn’t be surprised to see the new iPhone require a new case. I hope it’s made of Liquid Metal or some material where I don’t feel I’d need a case.
I’d still be hesitant about not using a case. A drop on a hard surface could break the glass (unless this new glass really is unbreakable).
I can actually see Apple changing the dock connector. The current one is very large and in the race to small, thin sleek designs it may have outlived it’s usefulness – at least from Apples perspective.
Logically, yes. Also, EU rules require a standard mini-USB jack for chargers now. But that can be remedied with an adapter.
Again, even though it might be better to change for many reasons, the installed base of accessories is a problem. Unless Apple just doesn’t care about them…
I didn’t upgrade to iPhone 4S so I have new phone fever!
Was actually curious & want to check out Nokia Lumia 900. Might sound crazy coming from a Mac user & iPhone user since Day 1. (I do use Windows too & actually made my living for years supporting corporate Windows server environments)
Might be hard to believe but I never drop my phone. I’ve never lost my keys. Don’t lose pens either. I mainly have cases so I can put my iPhone on a table & move it around w/o scratching. My girlfriend drops her iPhone multiple times a day. :)
I’ve never dropped my iPhone either; yet. I did drop an iPod classic a couple of years ago, and the HD was spinning. Of the 160 GB, I can only write about 30 GB now. Presumably there’s a problem with the HD after that point.
I know the iPhone doesn’t have an HD, and I’m not worried about that, but rather about the glass.
If they want new connector how about mini USB? Isn’t that kind of becoming somewhat standard in smartphones?
As I just posted in a reply above, it is required in the EU, but I don’t know when.
It does make life easier if they all use the same. Oh, wait, my Kindle has a micro-USB…
Kindle. It’s funny, here in the US I believe Target or Best Buy are going to stop selling Kindles.
It’s kind if sad but people refer to Best Buy as “Amazon Showrooms”. I’m guilty too. I go to stores, look at products, and often scan the UPC code with the Amazon iPhone app & buy it from there cheaper.
Recently spent a week in London & didn’t buy a single book from any museum bookstore. But scanned & one clicked about 20 from Amazon. :)
A little off topic here, sorry!
Yes, I read about that.
To be honest, on a vacation, I wouldn’t buy any books if I were sure that I could get them back home; less to carry.
Amazon here in France is highly competitive for many products. I recently moved, and found that some of the stuff I needed to buy was much more expensive in stores in the town I moved to. So, yes, I would look on my iPhone and check prices, then order from Amazon, with Prime for shipping.
It may not be entirely fair to retailers, but they will have to adapt. In one case, a pan I wanted was nearly twice as expensive from a store here as it was from Amazon. No brainer.