Apple is to employ a smaller dock connector in the next version of its popular iPhone, according to sources close to the company.
Reuters cited two people with knowledge that Apple is ditching its existing proprietary 30-pin port for a smaller 19-pin port, which will also be proprietary.The move could anger many people with current Apple gadgets, as it means that none of the accessories, including chargers and speakers, will work with the new device, forcing users to buy a slew of new products in addition to the phone itself.The 21mm wide 30-pin dock has been the subject of speculation for some time now, particularly given reports of Apples attempts to make the iPhone 5 smaller and thinner. The MicroUSB ports used by rivals take up a lot less space, so it seems inevitable that Apple will adopt a smaller form factor for its proprietary ports.A smaller port allows Apple to alter the design of the new iPhone in both practical and aesthetic ways. It could look slimmer, but it could also allow more room for a larger battery, which may be required if the hardware gets a significant boost.The decision will benefit accessory makers, but it could result in losing some of Apples existing fans. The company could have employed MicroUSB like almost everyone else, which would save money and the environment, in terms of people throwing away useless chargers, etc., but it would also leave Apple with less control over the device and what users can and cannot do with it.A partial solution may be available in the form of an adaptor, which will allow users to connect their old accessories. An adaptor will still cost money, however, but with such a high price tag on Apple products already, that may not have a huge impact on sales.Source: ReutersImage Credit: PhonesOnline.ie
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