If you own an Apple iPhone – or have even seen one – you’ve probably noticed that the headphone jack sits at the top of the device. This feature is soon to be relocated as a result of the upcoming iPhone 5 which will be created with a smaller Dock connector port. As opposed to previous models of the phone – as well as the iPad – have 30-pin ports, this next generation mobile phone will boast a 19-pin connector, making room for the headphone jack at the top of the phone.
The iPhone 5’s new feature is likely to be an aggravation to veteran Apple users since it will no longer be compatible with a slew of existing accessories. But on that note, it may be the key to the mint for developers of add-ons like speakers, adapters and other accessories.
Pete Cunningham, an analyst at Canalys, a technology research firm states, “The iPhone connector has been a standard for a long time now, and I would expect the same to be true for a new connector, should Apple change as is expected.”
While the iPhone 5’s new design is still somewhat of a rumor, the gossip has weaved through the grapevine for a long enough time now for retailers and purchaser to ready themselves for it being a fact. Enterprising vendors in China, for instance, have already started creating new cases for model #5 – and the products even come enclosed alongside a guarantee that the new dimensions are correct.
A similar situation arose out of the birth of Bluetooth speakers, which replaced iPod docking speakers. Stated an employee of a company in Asia that designs Apple-product speakers, “My previous factory is a lucky one. They shifted the focus to Bluetooth speakers, which proved a wise decision now…It looks like while iPod speaker sales are going down, Bluetooth speaker sales are going up.”
What will owners of existing accessories do with their soon-to-be outdated products? It is likely that the company will have to come up with a device that will appease those already ties to what can be a very expensive accessory that will no longer be functional. For instance, Apple may create a new adapter making it possible for the new iPhone to be used with previous connectors.
Regardless of the new-connector chatter, according to a report by the technology research company, Changewave, demand for the new iPhone is pretty high:
These numbers fall about 10% more than those customers asked the same question about the previous version of the iPhone
It will be interesting to see what numbers actually come to fruition, in the case that existing accessories for the device are soon to become obsolete.
We at Consumer Priority Service are ready to secure your new iPhone 5 – and any new accessories you may need to purchase to accompany it – with our extended warranty options.