Rumors of a smaller iOS dock connector have been continuing to surface in the weeks leading up to Apple’s September fall event. Initially the consensus was that we’d see a smaller 19-pin connector in the new iPhone, but lately the word on the street is that Apple will use even less pins—possibly as few as 8. Leaked photos of the next iPhone’s exterior show a much smaller dock connector, and the change is likely to meant to accommodate the device’s slimmer design.
According to a new report today, Apple will update not one, not two, but all of its iOS devices with a smaller dock connector this fall.
iMore has the scoop:
iMore has learned that Apple intends to update their entire lineup of iOS device products to support the new, miniaturized Dock connector, and to do it as early the rumored September 12 special event this fall. This would include the new iPhone 5, the the new iPod nano and iPod touch, the rumored 7-inch iPad mini, and an updated version of the current 9.7-inch iPad.
The information comes from the same sources that told iMore about the new, smaller Dock connector back in February, and about a mini Dock adapter to fit legacy accessories last month.
It makes sense for Apple to want the same dock connector on all of its devices, but updating every product at once sounds like too much. Such a move would definitely be unprecedented for a company that tends to only focus on 1-2 hardware products at once per media event. Can you imagine an Apple event next month with the new iPhone, 7-inch iPad, updated 9.7-inch iPad, new iPod touch, and new iPod nano?
There have been some whispers that Apple will update the current iPad with minor improvements before the fourth-gen iPad next year, and iMore seems to think it will happen before the holiday season. Is a new dock connector really worth a mid-cycle product refresh?
iMore has a really solid track record when it comes to this stuff, so even though it sounds far-fetched, don’t be surprised if all of your 30-pin accessories and peripherals suddenly become outdated next month. For what it’s worth, Apple will probably offer a new-to-old dock adapter.
Source: iMore
Image: Blakespot
