The possibility of such a drastic design change, going from thirty to nineteen pins, has understandably caused some disappointment among current iPhone owners because it means that every iPhone accessory ever made will be rendered unusable if they upgrade to the new iPhone when it is released later this year, but will they really be unusable?
There is an argument that iPhone 5 owners can continue using their current accessories by purchasing an adapter, rendering objections to the new interface mute, however in reality this is not quite the case thanks to two key issues.
First there is the problem of converting the inputs from thirty pins into just nineteen, however it's possible that Apple will bring out an official adapter (that is of course if it's possible to convert data from thirty pins into just nineteen) after all there is a micro usb connector for the current thirty pin port although it does not offer all the abilities that the standard Apple port offers.
Secondly is the issue that few people are discussing, the technology built into the new port that will reject un licenced accessories.
Based on recent patents and on some leaked information we know the new nineteen pin port will be similar to the MagSafe magnetic latch connection used in other Apple products.
According to engineers will feature chips on each end of the connection (one inside the iPhone and one inside the connecting cable) to verify licencing of the accessory connected. This is supported by a number of recent Apple patents and patent applications and will help protect Apples "Made For iPhone" licensing programme, ensuring only manufacturers who pay Apple can provide working iPhone 5 accessories.
This technology does indeed exist and in fact one Apple patent for ejectable component assemblies, in connection with other Apple patents such as the iWallet and more tellingly this patent on granting access to a device and its data using security coded magnetic connectors help support the claims that Apples standard connector will change and add new security features.
But how will this affect current iPhone owners who want to use their often expensive accessories with the latest and greatest model when it goes on sale?
Well, they may get a chance to use an adapter, which if priced similarly to the micro usb adapter provided in Europe would retail for around eight UK pounds (or thirteen US dollars). This may prove impossible for some accessories such as docking stations where the connection is also used to support the iPhone in situ but it would help calm the fears of those who wish to upgrade without losing the use of all their accessories.
But even if an adapter is made available there is the problem of an in cable licencing chip not allowing previous accessories to work because they won't be licenced with the new technology. In practice however that issue would be unlikely as Apple would no doubt allow licenced adapters to connect such accessories and have the adapter contain its own licence chip.
If the iPhone is to progress and keep up with its rivals it does need to make space inside of it for new electronics, such as an nfc chip or even a larger screen, and so inevitably the connection standard will have to change to something smaller to help accomodate these. Apple have not confirmed the connector change but then they do not usually confirm or deny speculation about their products, the fact they haven't denied this one though, given the bad feeling it's causing in a number of existing customers, is surprising as it's one they should really nip in the bud if not true.
That said there is a preponderance of supporting patent applications, notwithstanding the TechCrunch confirmation and other circumstantial evidence, that suggests the iPhone 5 really will feature a new type of docking connector.
