Shortly after the iPhone 5 was available for pre-order, I went ahead and ordered up a pair of extra Lightning-to-USB cables from the Apple Store so I would have some extras for the office and travel. I got them today, before the anticipated Friday, September 21st iPhone 5 release date.
The size difference is astonishing.
The box it came in is typical Apple. Plain white with a picture on the cover. Price is currently $19 USD via the Apple Store. The cable itself measures about 41″ tip to tip.
The connector itself is not magnetic. There are two tiny notches cut out on either side. By the way, that’s an official Apple “spudger” tool I’ve used as a pointing device.
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Is that all metal/aluminum on the end?
I just took my teeth to it. Yuck. Sure feels like metal. Though the metal bit is not magnetic, it is drawn TO a magnet. Don’t know how necessary that is since it’s got the notches.
Now if they only made a Lightning cable with a Thunderbolt end…
With the contacts exposed there’s always the possibility that they will become dirty, damaged or corroded. It’s one of those things that only time and use will tell.
19$ for a cable that is either unnecessary or provided with every other mobile phone in the past 10 years …
@nicky, I agree and disagree.
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AppleEngineer1:
The 30-pin connector has to go and micro-USB sucks.
AppleEngineer2:
Yeah but everything uses micro-USB now. It’s more convenient.
AppleEngineer1:
It sucks. We’ll design a connector that’s more durable, is reversible, pops in/out more easily, and allows for additional functionality.
AppleEngineer2:
Won’t people complain that we’re not using micro-USB?
AppleEngineer1:
Whatever. It sucks. If you can’t do something right, don’t do it at all. That’s our way.
AppleManager:
Plus we can overcharge the crap for adapters!
AppleEngineers:
…
AppleManager:
Bwuhahah!
AppleEngineers:
Won’t that cause backlash from all the people with 30-pin stereo docks?
AppleManager:
Bwuhahah!
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Whatever. I bought my wife an iPhone5, and ordered her a knock-off dock adapter for <$10 shipped (Apple's is $29). So it's no big deal either way.
I went to the Tucson, AZ Apple Store on “Day 1” and picked up my iPhone5. It comes with the new cable as well as the new Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic and Storage and travel case. Looking at the phone it seems apparent to me that the old connector would not fit in the new skinny phone. I’m happy with the Lightning Cable but the EarPods are very uncomfortable.
Unlike the old cable, the Lightning cable is bidirectional. You can plug it in either way. An effort by Apple for the aging baby boomers?
I’m not complaining!