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# Dock Connector Changes to Lightning and Stupidity is Released
- URL: https://chrisenns.com/2012/09/dock-connector-changes-to-lightning-and-stupidity-is-released/
- Published: 2012-09-13T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-04-08T23:52:29.000Z
- Author: Chris Enns
- Tags: Uncategorized, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-04-08 17:47, #ichris

> “Apple is testing the patience of its fans,” said Tero Kuittinen, an independent analyst and a vice president of Alekstra, a company that helps customers manage cellphone costs.

Apple's dock connector has been [around for over 10 years](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod?ref=chrisenns.com#Connectivity). To change it now is not "testing the patience" of their fans. It's making a choice to get rid of a bigger connection for a smaller one - which in turn allows Apple to design a better phone - and eventually iPad.

CNNMoney is also wrong with their assertion that [Apple's $30 Lightning adapter won't work with old speakers](https://money.cnn.com/2012/09/13/technology/apple-lightning-adapter/index.html?ref=chrisenns.com) (*Link via [@danfrakes](https://twitter.com/danfrakes/statuses/246360845108535296?ref=chrisenns.com)*). Just have to ask Apple:

https://twitter.com/danfrakes/statuses/246359997137682432

Read all about the Lightning connector at Macworld's article "[What Apple's new Lightning connector means for you](https://www.macworld.com/article/1168555/what%5Fapples%5Fnew%5Flightning%5Fconnector%5Fmeans%5Ffor%5Fyou.html?ref=chrisenns.com)".

### Apple's Greed

Yes, Apple will make money by selling new adapters. Apple has made money on a variety of adapters over the years, as do most tech companies. Apple often [1](#fn-20737:1) attempts to make money from the products it sells.

But if you think that Apple is going to hang on to a 30 pin adapter because other companies profited heavily from selling devices based on that adapter, then you clearly haven't been following along with Apple's story long enough.

A list of a few other things Apple has changed because they felt it was best for their customers in the long run:

- Ditching the floppy drive while "everyone" was still using it.
- Moving to USB when hardly anyone had any USB devices.
- Getting rid of DVD/CD drives in most of their portables.
- Doing away with boxed software and selling direct to customers via the Mac App Store.
- Music industry, movie industry, etc.

The cynic says Apple does it to make money. And that's partially true. The irrational Apple fan says it's just part of *the experience* of owning a Mac.

The truth is somewhere in between.

---

1. **Always** [↩](#fnref-20737:1)