iPhone/iPod Touch Thread

[pogo]

Again, that would only make sense if the vast majority of buyers need the adaptor, not a small minority. We have three iDevices in out house (two iPods, one iPhone), and no peripherals for them that would need adapters. It would be silly adding to the cost of all new iPhones and iPods because of something few users would use.

It would make more sense for Apple to cut the price of all relevant devices by $29/£25, and suggest people buy an adapter if they need one, and yes they could afford to. Except Apple's not a charity, no more than MS or Samsung of Google.

And the adapter doesn't support all the capabilities of the older connector, in particular there's no video out:

http://www.imore.com/lightning-connecto ... d-apple-tv
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD823 ... in-adapter

So many devices will need to be updated. Others will simply be too big with the adapter and will need to switch to Lightning. Probably there are few devices that work or work well with this adapter

[disciple]

Again, that would only make sense if the vast majority of buyers need the adaptor, not a small minority.

I did actually reply to this, so again, no it wouldn't... for the reasons I stated.

We have three iDevices in out house (two iPods, one iPhone), and no peripherals for them that would need adapters. It would be silly adding to the cost of all new iPhones and iPods because of something few users would use.

Again, it wouldn't have to add to the cost, for the reasons I stated.

It would make more sense for Apple to cut the price of all relevant devices by $29/£25, and suggest people buy an adapter if they need one, and yes they could afford to.

How would that solve anything? All it does is allow Apple to sell off their legacy stock and make a killing on adapters?

Except Apple's not a charity, no more than MS or Samsung of Google.

I don't see your argument. Why does Apple have to be a *charity* to throw in backwards compatibility as courtesy to loyal customers?

And the adapter doesn't support all the capabilities of the older connector, in particular there's no video out:

Does it have to? How is that relevant. It's supports as much as it can.

So many devices will need to be updated. Others will simply be too big with the adapter and will need to switch to Lightning. Probably there are few devices that work or work well with this adapter

Only a *few* devices will work? Like 2 out of 10 or something? You're saying the adapter won't work for MOST devices so it doesn't matter?

[JQW]

The adaptor doesn't have an audio out connector, so that rules out all audio docks, which are the majority of uses for the socket.

[pogo]

Except Apple's not a charity, no more than MS or Samsung of Google.

I don't see your argument. Why does Apple have to be a *charity* to provide a backwards compatibility as courtesy to loyal customers?

Apple could include the adapter. But as it would be useless to most buyers they'd be better off simply cutting the price by the same value and not bundling the device. And they certainly could do this, given their margins. So why don't they? Or why don't MS halve the price of Office, as almost all the revenue from that is margins?

One reason is these companies have better uses for this money. In Apple's case it's for R&D and making cool new products. In MS's case it's wasting billions on failed attempts to get Windows into people's homes and lives. If they run out of productive ways to spend money they should return it to shareholders. Shocking as it may seem there first duty is not to customers, but to staff, shareholders and other investors.

Adding a $29 part to every new model iPhone and iPod may not seem like much but that's at least 10% of Apple's iPhone margin, more for the iPods. They can't afford that unless there's a compelling commercial reason.

[t0ne]

Except Apple's not a charity, no more than MS or Samsung of Google.

I don't see your argument. Why does Apple have to be a *charity* to provide a backwards compatibility as courtesy to loyal customers?

Apple could include the adapter. But as it would be useless to most buyers they'd be better off simply cutting the price by the same value and not bundling the device. And they certainly could do this, given their margins. So why don't they? Or why don't MS halve the price of Office, as almost all the revenue from that is margins?

One reason is these companies have better uses for this money. In Apple's case it's for R&D and making cool new products. In MS's case it's wasting billions on failed attempts to get Windows into people's homes and lives. If they run out of productive ways to spend money they should return it to shareholders. Shocking as it may seem there first duty is not to customers, but to staff, shareholders and other investors.

Adding a $29 part to every new model iPhone and iPod may not seem like much but that's at least 10% of Apple's iPhone margin, more for the iPods. They can't afford that unless there's a compelling commercial reason.

Where are you getting this idea that it would only benefit a minority of customers ?
I'm sure Apple will be hoping vast numbers of the converted will be upgrading their tech not just relying on new customers. We've got several iPhones, 2 iPads and a few iPods. They all work on the same connector which means I have one in the bedroom to charge my iphone or ipad, one in the office, one in my bag etc. I also have an audio dock that works with my iPods and iPhones. For me, not including an adaptor is just crappy and it sours the whole thing.

[disciple]

Adding a $29 part to every new model iPhone and iPod may not seem like much but that's at least 10% of Apple's iPhone margin

Surely you mean..

Adding a $0.50 part to every new model iPhone and iPod may not seem like much but that's at least 0.2% of Apple's iPhone margin

[pogo]

Where are you getting this idea that it would only benefit a minority of customers ?
I'm sure Apple will be hoping vast numbers of the converted will be upgrading their tech not just relying on new customers. We've got several iPhones, 2 iPads and a few iPods. They all work on the same connector which means I have one in the bedroom to charge my iphone or ipad, one in the office, one in my bag etc. I also have an audio dock that works with my iPods and iPhones. For me, not including an adaptor is just crappy and it sours the whole thing.

I'm mostly guessing: I'm assuming someone using the bundled charging/connecting cable will manage with the new one fine. This doesn't help you with the audio dock, but an adapter might not either as there's no audio out. Other devices such as compact ones designed to be portable might work poorly with an adapter that's as big as the device.

You are exceptional owning several iPhones, 2 iPads and a few iPods, and whatever Apple did wouldn't replace what you have. But rather than an adapter you'd probably be better served by a second or even third cable. As they are only $19 you can buy two for little more than the price of one adapter:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD818 ... -usb-cable

Hence my point that it would be better for Apple to reduce the price by $29, or even include a $29 Apple Store voucher, than include an adapter. Except they are not a charity.

[disciple]

or even include a $29 Apple Store voucher, than include an adapter. Except they are not a charity.

Problem there is that said voucher might not be spent on an item with ~98% profit margin. Putting Apple "severely out of pocket".

Then what? Bankrupt, that's what.

[pogo]

$29 or whatever it costs. We'll find out soon enough as all those market/mall/street traders selling bling iPhone cases will stock them very soon.

Anyway, from Honest iPhone 5 Keynote Slides (Click through and roll over for the truth behind what Tim Cook and Apple were pushing this afternoon):

[(o)(o)]

$29 or whatever it costs.

These adaptors cost "nothing".

Many cheap-as-chips gizmos come with stuff like this as standard.

[t0ne]

Where are you getting this idea that it would only benefit a minority of customers ?
I'm sure Apple will be hoping vast numbers of the converted will be upgrading their tech not just relying on new customers. We've got several iPhones, 2 iPads and a few iPods. They all work on the same connector which means I have one in the bedroom to charge my iphone or ipad, one in the office, one in my bag etc. I also have an audio dock that works with my iPods and iPhones. For me, not including an adaptor is just crappy and it sours the whole thing.

I'm mostly guessing: I'm assuming someone using the bundled charging/connecting cable will manage with the new one fine. This doesn't help you with the audio dock, but an adapter might not either as there's no audio out. Other devices such as compact ones designed to be portable might work poorly with an adapter that's as big as the device.

You are exceptional owning several iPhones, 2 iPads and a few iPods, and whatever Apple did wouldn't replace what you have. But rather than an adapter you'd probably be better served by a second or even third cable. As they are only $19 you can buy two for little more than the price of one adapter:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD818 ... -usb-cable

Hence my point that it would be better for Apple to reduce the price by $29, or even include a $29 Apple Store voucher, than include an adapter. Except they are not a charity.

I suspect they chose not to bundle in an adapter because, as you say, even with one it will not work correctly with your existing peripherals, rather than for financial reasons. By selling them separately they can move that argument to one side. Imagine how much bigger the shit storm would be if they included one and it didn't work with your dock etc.

[Misfit]

Hmm, 'what's in the box' on the Apple site doesn't say anything, but when you see the extra accessories when you add a phone to the basket on the Apple store it says...

Your iPhone includes a Lightning to 30-pin Adapter for connecting 30-pin accessories to devices featuring the Lightning connector. Purchase this additional adapter to have a second adapter for your home or office.

[disciple]

Yeah, buy a 5 and you get a 'gratis' :

- Lightning to 30-pin Adapter
- Lightning to USB Cable

Additionals are then £30 and £15 respectively.

Not being an Apple user, I'm not actually very bothered whether one's in there or not. I'm only arguing the point because it was claimed that it would make no sense to include one when I said they should throw one in.

[Misfit]

Yeah, buy a 5 and you get a 'gratis' :

- Lightning to 30-pin Adapter
- Lightning to USB Cable

But I can't find anywhere that actually says this other than that bit above.

The iPhone part of the site and the store both have a "what's in the box" and both mention the cable and neither mention the dock.

[Al]

The adaptor doesn't have an audio out connector, so that rules out all audio docks, which are the majority of uses for the socket.

"iPod Out" is not audio out!

http://www.tuaw.com/2012/09/13/lightnin ... d-out-doe/