Apple iPhone 5 unofficial Lightning adapters won’t work
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Apple, the richest company in the world, might not mind third party accessory retailers making some money from its iPhone 5, not least as it takes a cut of all 'Made for iPhone' accessories. But in the case of the Lightning adapter, Apple is keeping them strictly in-house... with a little help from a mystery chip.
The chip was discovered in the Lightning cable by Double Helix Cables, which says third-party adapters just won’t perform. The laser-etched chip is custom made by Apple to act as an authentication device – going a little further to explain the steep £25 Lightning adapter cost. The chip may also be used as a means to regulate power, not solely for authentication, but either way it means third-party versions just won't cut it.
It may be Apple's right to keep exclusivity on its new proprietary connector, but this won't help it win the popularity war after initial gripes about the cost of the Lightning adapter, the iOS 6 Apple Maps outcry and the scratch-prone body of Apple's new iPhone 5.
[DoubleHelixCable via TechRadar]
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Comments
sharen29
34 weeks ago
What a load of hooey. What hypocrites Apple execs are, they were the ones who sued Microsoft for billions for being a monopoly, and they won that argument to the tune of billions and now of course you can use Microsoft office on Apple computers. But when it comes down to someone making components compatible with their Iphone, they are not going to play fair. They want the monopoly on that. Someone should sue Apple for the same reason that they sued Microsoft, creating a monopoly.
mccltd
34 weeks ago
Well if thats the case then my Ip5 is going on Ebay.
Samsung SIII here we come.
Apple need to get their act together and ask what their customers want.
Yes the Iphone 5 is nice and light but thats about it,
same old shape,
same old software
Battery life not good
Software that doesnt work properly
(ie maps even after months of betas)
Their loosing the plot since Steve Died.
Its getting boring