Report: Apple to refresh iOS devices with new dock connector
A new report says Apple Inc.might refresh all of its iOS products, including the iPad, with a new, smaller dock connector in September.
For months, Apple has been rumored to be launching the next iPhone with a smaller dock connector than on existing iPhones, and now, iMore is reporting that the dock connector change could also come to a new iPod Nano, iPod Touch, the rumored iPad mini and the iPad too.
Lately, many reports have said Apple will hold an event Sept. 12 to announce the next iPhone, and multiple reports have said Apple will also refresh the Nano, Touch and launch the iPad mini.
IMore’s report backs up those rumors, and it also adds in a new iPad to the mix. IMore isn’t sure whether Apple will launch a completely upgraded iPad or just a slightly revised model to include the new dock, but the site reports there is a possibility that a new version of the iPad will be launched, which would come less than a year since the last upgrade. That would be a first for Apple.
“Apparently, Apple believes consistent Dock connectors across the line, and other improvements they’re able to make to the new iPad this point, are more important than sticking to yearly release schedules,” the site says.
If Apple does introduce a new dock connector, it will cause a major rift for many industries associated with iPhone, iPad and iPod products, because they will have to begin producing new versions of their accessories while also continuing to support older devices for at least some time. Consumers will also be affected because their older cables wouldn’t work with new devices.
The size of the new dock connector remains a question, however. There have been reports that Apple switch from the current 30-pin connector to a 19-pin, 16-pin or possibly an 8-pin connector, as we reported last week.
You can see what the new connector could look like in the rendering above, courtesy of InventHelp.
One advantage Apple gets by switching its dock connector is freeing up room within its devices for other components. That’s in keeping with the company’s goal of making its products smaller and thinner.
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