The changes to Maps in iOS 6 may have gotten the lion ’s share ofnegative coveragesince the iPhone 5 debuted . But back on September 12 , when the company announced the latest iPhone and iPod models , the harsh criticism was reserved for theLightning connector , Apple ’s substitute for the venerable 30 - pin docking facility connexion .
The newfangled plug has some clear benefits . Its size allow Apple to make thin and smaller devices ; its design imply you ca n’t tuck the Lightning connector the wrong way ; and Apple says it ’s much more long-wearing than the older 30 - pin connector . The problem , of course , is that none of the thousands of 30 - pin add-on on the mart — and in masses ’s plate , cars , or offices — work with the Lightning connector .
The latest iPhone and iPods let in a USB - to - Lightning - connective cable , but you do n’t get any form of adapter for using the new equipment with senior accessories . For that , you ’ll need to turn to Apple ’s $ 29Lightning to 30 - tholepin Adapteror $ 39Lightning to 30 - pin Adapter ( 0.2 m ) , which is the cable version .
Each of these adapters let you connect 30 - pin - dock - connector accessory to the latest iPhone and iPod models by offering a Lightning - connector plug on one end and a distaff 30 - pin port on the other . You insert the Lightning - connector plug into your iPhone 5 , seventh - coevals iPod nano , or 5th - contemporaries iPod sense of touch , and then attach the 30 - pin ending to the docking facility connector of your favored verbalizer system or other compatible supplement . The main difference between the two adapter is that the standard interlingual rendition is a unmarried piece , just 0.8 in long ( not include the Lightning plug ) , while the cable version separates the 30 - pin port from the Lightning plug with a flexile , 7.5 - inch ( 20 cm ) cable that ’s a small boneheaded and unwavering than Apple ’s standardLightning to USB Cable . The two adapters function identically .
nigh a month after they were announced , and three weeks after the iPhone 5 itself run into the street , both adapters are now available . I ’ve been testing them for compatibility , and here ’s what I ’ve found .
Compatibility
According to Apple , the adapters stomach analog and USB audio , as well as synchronize and bear down , although there are some proficient caveats .
verbaliser and audio bobtail : I tested both arranger with a range of dock - cradle loudspeaker system and audio - concentre standalone dock using the iPhone 5 and the late iPod cutaneous senses and nano models . For playing audio , the adapters work perfectly with every speaker dock and audio dock I test , both quondam and new . This includes newer speakers and audio docks that grab your actor ’s digital - sound recording ( specifically , USB - audio ) output and then use a digital - to - analogue convertor ( DAC ) in the speaker or bob itself to produce an analog signaling .
But the adapters also work with speakers and dock — loosely honest-to-god models — that take an analog - sound recording sign . These speakers connect to dedicated analog - audio pins in the 30 - flag connection , relying on the iPhone or iPod to handle the digital - to - analog conversion . The challenge here is that the Lightning connecter does n’t proffer parallel - audio pins — the newfangled connector is all digital .
The solution ( and likely part of the reason that Apple ’s adaptor are n’t cheap ) is an real DAC build into each transcriber . In other Word of God , theadapteris converting the iPhone or iPod ’s digital - audio output to an analog signal and then ship that parallel signal to the appropriate pin in the 30 - pin connection . As an example , thanks to Apple ’s adapter , I was capable to use the latest iPhone and iPods withLogitech ’s mm50 speaker system , an old pet from 2005 .
That covers audio playback , but what about bill through a speaker dock ? That reckon on the circuitry the accessory uses to charge an iPhone or iPod . The first dockage - connector iPods buck via FireWire , so former docking speaker system were designed to charge your iPod via the 30 - PIN number connector’sFireWire - world power fall . But get going with the first Windows - compatible iPods , you could charge via FireWireorUSB ; and finally USB became the only way of life to burden . ( Specifically , the iPhone 3 K and later , the second - generation and later iPod touch , the fourth - generation and later iPod nano , and the 2008 and later iPod classic charge only via the 30 - personal identification number connector ’s USB - power pin . ) So accessary vender eventually migrated to providing charging power only via USB - power pins .
Lightning - connector iPhones and iPods likewise rouse only via USB circuitry , which stand for that if you apply one of Apple ’s adapters to connect your 2012 machine to an older accessory that provides FireWire power , that accessary will not charge your iPhone or iPod , even if the arranger lets the accessory work for audio . The aforementioned Logitech mm50 , for example , works great for bring euphony from the new iPod nano , but the nano run off its own battery the entire sentence . ( For a workaround , see the next section . )
The adapters also support syncing , so if your speaker tail or dock cradle — sometime or new — has a pass - through 30 - pin or USB port for connecting to your estimator for syncing , that feature film will work with the late iPhone and iPods .
battery charger and barrage fire : I also prove the adapter with a twelve or so 30 - flag - dock - connector charger and batteries . As gestate , most ferment properly , successfully providing great power to and charging the battery of the newest iPhone and iPod good example . The only exceptions , as explained above , were old accessories that provide king only via the 30 - pin tumbler connector ’s FireWire - major power pins ( in other words , they do n’t also supply power over the USB - major power pins ) . These great power accessories wo n’t knead with the late iPhones and iPods through Apple ’s adapters — just as they did n’t sour with late 30 - pin iPhones and iPods .
There is a workaround here , though it epitomizes the term “ kludge . ” A number of vendor betray 30 - pin adapters that send FireWire - pin great power over the USB - power pin , let older , FireWire - only docks shoot recent iPhones and iPods . A couple of example are Scosche ’s $ 25Charging Adapter for iPod & iPhoneand CableJive ’s $ 23DockStubz+ . I tested these adapters with Apple ’s Lightning adapters , and they worked fine . Of of course , this frame-up involves an iPod or iPhone connect to an adapter link to another adapter ( see the image to the right ) . Even if the arrangement is static , as it is with the 30 - gram iPod nano , it ’s certainly not elegant . At this point , it may be fourth dimension to retire that mid–2000s verbalizer bob or make it a dedicated wharfage for an older player .
television : As Apple makes clear on the product Page for the two adapter , neither adapter supports TV yield . If your 30 - bowling pin speaker system dockage or other accessory offers a video recording - out laborer to display iPhone or iPod video on a boob tube or projector , that feature wo n’t do work with the 2012 iPhone and iPod speck when unite using Apple ’s adapters .
The Lightning connector itself actually supports TV output , but these adapters do n’t spend video signals to the 30 - tholepin connective . Apple toldMacworld , back when the Lightning connexion was foretell , that Lightning - to - HDMI and Lightning - to - VGA cables will be available “ in the coming months . ”
iPod - out mode : For some people , the most dissatisfactory limitation of Apple ’s adapter — or , more accurately in this case , of the Lightning connector itself — is a lack of backup for iPod - out mode , a special mode that lets particular accessories , such as car stereos and some whole - home - audio systems , display a version of your iPhone or iPod ’s menus on the accessory ’s own screen . This restriction is likely related to the previous item : The Lightning connection does n’t provide the analogue - video signal that was used by old devices for iPod - out fashion .
I was n’t able to sustain this limitation , as I did n’t have access to any accessories or cars that support iPod - out mode , but many reports on Apple ’s Discussions forums confirm that you ca n’t use this feature with the latest iPhones and iPods , even with the adapter .
Microphones and other audio - stimulation products : As noted above , Apple ’s adapters support USB audio , and that feature seems to work in both directions : Microphones and other audio - input accessories that commune via USB - audio protocols and work with the previous iPhone and iPod models should work OK with the newest models using the adapter . We did n’t have many of these accoutrement on paw to prove , but we did reach out to a few vender to ask about compatibility . Blue mike , for representative , toldMacworldthat the caller ’s 30 - pinMikey Digitalworks through Apple ’s adapter .
Pro - audio companyLine 6told Create Digital Music editor(andMacworldcontributor ) Peter Kirn that “ audio products that operate using USB Host style and follow Apple approved methods such as CoreAudio and CoreMIDI ” should ferment fine with the fresh iPhone and iPod models using Apple ’s adapters .
Other merchandise ? Cloudy . Ask again later : The Apple Store ’s intersection page for each adapter notes that “ some 30 - pin accessory are not supported . ” This cryptical caution surely include the iPod - out - mode accessory talk over above , but it also belike let in any accessory that practice analog video , require power from the iPhone or iPod itself to function , or communicate using successive - port signals . It may also let in old accessories that used particular electric resistance to trigger particular communication modes . And it ’s probable that accessories that send analog audiotothe dock connector wo n’t wreak . ( Many vendors have , in recent years , switch to using the mike connectedness of the iPhone ’s headphone diddly-shit for analog - audio stimulus . )
Similarly , it ’s not yet clear whether Apple ’s populariPad Camera Connection Kitwill act upon through these transcriber — the outfit works only with iPads , so we wo n’t be able to test it until the first Lightning - connector iPad is released .
Practical considerations
Assuming your accessories are compatible , should you use one of Apple ’s adapter or else of wait for literal Lightning - connexion accessory ? For any form of accessory that uses a 30 - pin - connectorcable , the adapter are loose to habituate and only stretch the length of your existing cable — I have no qualm about recommend them .
Where I do have some concerns is with dock - birthplace accessory , such as tail speakers , audio and charging docks , and automobile saddle horse . With many of these product , the 30 - rowlock connexion is already support the free weight of your iPhone or iPod ( unless the add-on uses Apple’sUniversal dock - cradle designwith the appropriate cut-in , in which case the insert largely supports the thespian ’s eubstance ) . With the standard Lightning adapter — not to cite the extra leverage from the taller body of the young iPhone and iPod trace — you’re markedly increase the torsion on the 30 - stick connector .
If you ’ve bugger off aSendStation Dock Extendersitting around , its Universal Dock - compatible back support is dandy for relieving some of this imperativeness ; similarly , some speaker dock are designed to let the iPod or iPhone lean against the body of the speaker . Otherwise , you ’ll require to be thrifty not to damage the 30 - pin connection . In these situations , I advocate using the cable’s length ( $ 39 ) version of the adapter , as it will countenance you rest your iPhone or iPod touch on the desk or table in front of the dock .
( I ’m less apprehensive about the Lightning - connector plug and larboard , which appear to be quite stalwart . And the new nano ’s unforesightful height and lighter weight make using it with the standard adapter less risky than using an iPhone or iPod touch with the adapter . )
There ’s also the thing of iPhone- and iPod - fount compatibility . The received arranger is slimly wider than the 30 - peg bob connector , and the intact top bound of the adaptor ’s body sit wealthy against the bottom of your iPhone or iPod . So unless you ’ve got a showcase that go forth the bottom of your iPhone or iPod unobstructed , chances are you wo n’t be able to use the stock transcriber . The cable interlingual rendition of the adaptor uses a much smaller living accommodations around the connexion , so it should be usable with many more iPhone and iPod guinea pig .
However , there ’s a minor tour of duty : The cable ’s connector lodging is considerably larger than the stopper caparison on Apple ’s parentage Lighting - to - USB line . So cases designed to precisely accommodate the stock cable might not be able to fit the Lightning to 30 - pin Adapter ’s ballyhoo .
lastly , there ’s the aesthetical issue : Connecting your newfangled iPhone or iPod to an old dock - birthplace accoutrement using an adapter just does n’t see smashing . You ’ve either got an superfluous cable in the midriff , which means your role player is lie down next to the accessory instead of docked in it , or you ’ve got an adapter that await uneasy and lift your player an inch high than expect . Whether the panel - rig appearance is enough to get you to shell out for new accoutrement , instead of using adapter , is up to you .
The only game in town (for now)
The Lightning connecter first pick up the light of twenty-four hours just a few weeks ago , and many accoutrement marketer were n’t given any details about it ahead of time . So there are n’t yet many Lightning - connector accessories available . That will surely change over time , but right now , Lightning to 30 - rowlock Adapters are must - haves if you want to apply your be audio and powerfulness gear with your new iPhone or iPod .
Unfortunately , Apple ’s $ 29 and $ 39 adapters are currently your only options — there are no budget knock - offs as there are with 30 - pin - to - USB cable television , which can be found for a fraction of Apple ’s asking price . That ’s because Lightning cables and adapter let in special circuitry that Apple licenses to third - parties , andvendors exact Apple has been slow to sanction such licence . ( The only option we ’ve seen so far isCableJive ’s $ 30 DockBoss+ , which uses your twist ’s bundled Lightning - to - USB cable . ) That enounce , MacRumors.comreports that at least one vendor has “ crack ” Apple ’s certification chips , paving the way for cheap ( but unauthorized ) knock - offs .
Of course , there are workarounds that will surge you over until more ( or less - expensive ) option are available . If all you want to do is get your sound recording to diddle through an sr. talker arrangement , you could run a simple audio cable from your raw iPhone or iPod ’s headphone old salt to the auxiliary - remark jack of your audio system . ( you’re able to even use your machine ’s Lightning - to - USB cablegram to send while playing . ) Other company offer Bluetooth adapters that exchange elderly speaker into Bluetooth systems : Outdoor Tech ’s $ 40 , battery - poweredAdaptconnects to your sound system ’s auxiliary - input laborer , while RadTech’sWaveJamrconnects forthwith to ( and snap power from ) any 30 - pin dock connector . These solutions also have the welfare of working with non - iOS devices , including Macs and Android phones and tablets .
If you instead plan to embrace the Lightning connector and wait for third - party vendors to issue Lightning - connecter - fit out accessories , it ’s a pretty secure wager that those products will be compatible for a while . Considering the 30 - personal identification number connector had a nine - class run , I surmise the Lightning connection will be standard on new iPhone , iPad , and iPod models — include therumored iPad mini — for years to come .
Updated , 10/18/2012 9:00am , to sort out misplay about the original iPhone charging via FireWire top executive .
