Apple proprietary

[ApK]

They required new devices to have new cables, so the cables lying around (at least for video) were not usable anymore.
I don't think "changed the video out" is how I put it. It's more like "added check to see if you're using a new Apple-approved cable."

They ALSO changed the video out in new devices some time ago, removing that feature from the head phone jack, and providing it only through the dock port. They said they did this to re-purpose the jack connectors for additional audio features, like microphone and remote control, but knowing their evil ways like I do, I'm sure they were also pleased that it meant people had to stop using their widely-available and inexpensive standard mini-jack A/V cables and buy new Apple-approved cables.
I think the announcement actually said "Muah-ha-ha-ha!" in it someplace.

They also seem to change the charging spec from time to time so old charging cables may or may not work on new devices.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by forkyfork

Right, but is there a standard microusb port that I could plug in that will charge AND play the unit at the same time like the iPhone has? If so, that would be great, but I don't think so.

Sure you can, why wouldn't you think you can't, I read on my nook while charging, I make our receptionist here at work plug my Droid X in the charger while she plays Angry Birds all day. You most certainly can use the device while charging as well.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by boswd

I make our receptionist here at work plug my Droid X in the charger while she plays Angry Birds all day.

What are you getting her for Administrative Professionals Day?

[boswd]

Originally Posted by ApK

What are you getting her for Administrative Professionals Day?

I was seriously thinking of one of those Angry Birds Plush stuffed birds, they sell.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ApK

They required new devices to have new cables, so the cables lying around (at least for video) were not usable anymore.
I don't think "changed the video out" is how I put it. It's more like "added check to see if you're using a new Apple-approved cable."

How do they know whether or not your cable is "approved"?

They also seem to change the charging spec from time to time so old charging cables may or may not work on new devices.

This appears not to be the case. I must have at least 10 cables from everything from ancient iPods through to my iPad and iPhone 4. They are all completely interchangeable as far as charging (and syncing) goes.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by HarryT

How do they know whether or not your cable is "approved"?

There is apparently some sort of authentication circuit in the new cables.

This appears not to be the case. I must have at least 10 cables from everything from ancient iPods through to my iPad and iPhone 4. They are all completely interchangeable as far as charging (and syncing) goes.

We have a charger that will charge our old iPods but not our new Touch 4G. It's third-party, so I'm not going to read too much into it, but I thought I saw various accessory cables on eBay that specify they only work with certain generations.

ApK

[HarryT]

Sorry, yes, chargers do differ. In your post you said that the cables differed; that's not the case.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sorry, yes, chargers do differ. In your post you said that the cables differed; that's not the case.

Our third-party charger is a AC/USB adapter and retractable USB/Apple-dock cable. With the retractable cable, it will charge our iPod Video 5.5G and our iPod Classic, but not the iT4. If we use the cable that came with the iT4 and plug it in to the AC/USB module, it charges.
But as I said, as this is a third-party thing, it's possible that it's not Apple's fault that it doesn't work.

[Debby]

I have original Apple chargers and they do not work on all devices (iphone, ipad or new touch). That is why I now label them immediately since they all look the same. BTW, it is the same with car chargers.

[speedlever]

In post 32, Debby says it far better than I could. Maybe I'm just so ingrained in the PC way of doing things that I can't appreciate the Apple way.

But I generally find the Apple way extremely frustrating and restrictive. iTunes and backups, for instance (I don't like to use my C:\ drive for data.) Using iDevices on more than one computer (as a backup, for instance.) Having to use iTunes for iOS updates. Having to use 3rd party apps to do basic file stuff.

On the pro side, I've enjoyed the display and touchscreen on iDevices. But I haven't found them to be very productive or intuitive. Yet.

[madsquabbles]

Originally Posted by speedlever

In post 32, Debby says it far better than I could. Maybe I'm just so ingrained in the PC way of doing things that I can't appreciate the Apple way.

But I generally find the Apple way extremely frustrating and restrictive. iTunes and backups, for instance (I don't like to use my C:\ drive for data.) Using iDevices on more than one computer (as a backup, for instance.) Having to use iTunes for iOS updates. Having to use 3rd party apps to do basic file stuff.

On the pro side, I've enjoyed the display and touchscreen on iDevices. But I haven't found them to be very productive or intuitive. Yet.

that's one of my biggest dislikes of ios. i also don't like having data on the c drive. and backing up both my daughter's ipod and my ipad takes up more space than i'd like. plus the fact that itunes is a needed program for transfering files.

with android, all i need is a cable and a computer. i can back up to and transfer from any computer. not only that but all programs can share a document - i don't have to have a copy of a book for ibook, stanza, and a pdf reader. apple's dumbed down the os quite a bit for basic users.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by boswd

So you guys can go off and spend $40 for Apple, the rest us can go to site like monoprice.com and get an HDMI for less than $10 or wait I think my HDMI cord from my Kodak Zi8 will work with the Xoom.

*sigh*

You can buy iDevice cables for under $10 at Amazon.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

You can buy iDevice cables for under $10 at Amazon.

that HDMI adapter or dongle is availabe now on amazon for under $10? That's was what I referring to in the post you quoted.

the iPad 2 has HDMI but in limited proprietary format. You have to buy their adapter for this to work.

[andymillson]

Originally Posted by boswd

that HDMI adapter or dongle is availabe now on amazon for under $10? That's was what I referring to in the post you quoted.

the iPad 2 has HDMI but in limited proprietary format. You have to buy their adapter for this to work.

One of the points of the new iPad 2 is its thinness and lightness. If an onboard HDMI port had been added the new iPad would not have been so thin.

The 30 Pin dock connector on the iDevices is not just for connectivity to the Computer for data transfer/charging, it is also able to carry the signals required for the HDMI, USB, Video Out, GPS in, Blood pressure cuffs, etc etc. By standadizing on the 30 pin dock connector they allow 3rd party manufacturers to develop other addons that would be harder if only usiong micro USB ( and yes I concede if they HAD used micro USB then those addons might have been usable on other, non apple devices....man I hate it when I can see both sides of an argument )

That being said I was quite surprised that the iPad 2 did not come with a Micro USB port, if only for charging, as the EU decreed that all phones were to have that as a standard copnnector for any data enabled phone after January 11th.

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/08/05/...rd-in-january/

While not a phone and not covered by that, I was expecting to see it implemented anyway. I would think the iphone 5 will have that connector or perhaps a new dock connector to micro usb cable included in EU released iphone 5's

Andy