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Lightning received mixed reactions from press and users after its release, some praising its improved functionality<ref name="Auto2W-2"/> and smaller size compared to its predecessor,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57512830-37/iphone-5-buyers-face-lightning-cable-adapter-scarcity|title=iPhone 5 buyers face Lightning cable, adapter scarcity|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=September 14, 2012|accessdate=October 4, 2012|author=Lowensohn, Josh}}</ref> with others noting that accessories for previous [[iPod]], [[iPhone]] and [[iPad]] models were incompatible with the new connector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/oh-apple-lightning-connector-how-do-i-love-thee-7000006843/|title=Oh Apple Lightning connector, how do I love thee?|publisher=[[ZDNet]]|date=November 3, 2012|accessdate=April 11, 2013|author=Perlow, Jason}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2409737,00.asp|title=Apple's Lightning Connector: What You Need to Know|publisher=[[PC Magazine|PCmag]]|date=November 6, 2012|accessdate=April 11, 2013|author=Lendino, Jaime}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57511581-37/apple-iphone-5-gives-the-world-a-new-connector-lightning/|title=Apple iPhone 5 gives the world a new connector: Lightning|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=September 12, 2012|accessdate=April 11, 2013|author=Shankland, Stephen}}</ref> Still others criticized Apple's decision to create a new proprietary connector rather than incorporate the [[Micro-USB]] connector supported by most competitive low power mobile devices.<ref name="Auto2W-4"/><ref name="Auto2W-1"/>
Lightning received mixed reactions from press and users after its release, some praising its improved functionality<ref name="Auto2W-2"/> and smaller size compared to its predecessor,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57512830-37/iphone-5-buyers-face-lightning-cable-adapter-scarcity|title=iPhone 5 buyers face Lightning cable, adapter scarcity|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=September 14, 2012|accessdate=October 4, 2012|author=Lowensohn, Josh}}</ref> with others noting that accessories for previous [[iPod]], [[iPhone]] and [[iPad]] models were incompatible with the new connector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/oh-apple-lightning-connector-how-do-i-love-thee-7000006843/|title=Oh Apple Lightning connector, how do I love thee?|publisher=[[ZDNet]]|date=November 3, 2012|accessdate=April 11, 2013|author=Perlow, Jason}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2409737,00.asp|title=Apple's Lightning Connector: What You Need to Know|publisher=[[PC Magazine|PCmag]]|date=November 6, 2012|accessdate=April 11, 2013|author=Lendino, Jaime}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57511581-37/apple-iphone-5-gives-the-world-a-new-connector-lightning/|title=Apple iPhone 5 gives the world a new connector: Lightning|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=September 12, 2012|accessdate=April 11, 2013|author=Shankland, Stephen}}</ref> Still others criticized Apple's decision to create a new proprietary connector rather than incorporate the [[Micro-USB]] connector supported by most competitive low power mobile devices.<ref name="Auto2W-4"/><ref name="Auto2W-1"/>


Considering that the official Apple 30-pin connector to Lightning connector is not cheap, suggestions have been made that the move to a new cable may have been an attempt to increase profits, both for Apple, and for companies that produce accessories for Apple devices.{{Citation needed|date=October 2013}} Also, since Apple demands license fees from makers of Lightning-compatible devices, creating a need for consumers to replace 30-pin-connector-based devices generates additional revenue for Apple.{{Citation needed|date=October 2013}}
been that the move to a new cable an attempt to increase profits |=October 2013}} Apple demands license fees from makers of Lightning-compatible devices, -based Apple.{{ |date=October 2013}}


==Lightning vs Micro-USB==
==Lightning vs Micro-USB==

Revision as of 17:54, 27 October 2013

Lightning
Top down view of a Lightning cable, showing the eight-pin connector
Type Data and power connector
Production history
Designer Apple Inc.
Produced 2012 (introduced)
Superseded 30-pin dock connector
General specifications
Pins 8
Pinout
Pin out
Pin out
Pin 1 GND ground
Pin 2 L0p lane 0 positive
Pin 3 L0n lane 0 negative
Pin 4 ID0 identification/control 0
Pin 5 PWR power (charger or battery)
Pin 6 L1n lane 1 negative
Pin 7 L1p lane 1 positive
Pin 8 ID1 identification/control 1
Two differential pair lanes (L0p/n and L1p/n) may swap in IC of device connector (lanes don't swap if accessory identification chip connect to ID0 pin)

Lightning is a proprietary computer bus and power connector created by Apple Inc. to replace its previous proprietary 30-pin dock connector, used to connect Apple mobile devices like iPhones, iPads and iPods to host computers, external monitors, cameras, USB battery chargers and other peripherals. Using eight pins instead of thirty, Lightning is significantly more compact than the 30-pin dock connector and can be inserted with either side facing up. However, it is incompatible with cables and peripherals designed for its predecessor, unless used with an adapter. It was introduced in 2012, and is used by all subsequently released iPods, iPhones and iPads (the iPhone 5, 5S, 5C, 5th generation iPod Touch, 7th generation iPod Nano, all iPad Minis, the 4th generation iPad and the iPad Air.)

History

The Lightning connector was introduced on September 12, 2012.[1] The connector was introduced as a replacement for the 30-pin dock connector for all new hardware that was announced at the same event. Devices that were initially compatible with the connector were the iPhone 5, iPod Touch (5th generation), and the iPod Nano (7th generation).[2] The iPad (4th generation) and the iPad Mini were added as Lightning devices in October 2012[3][4] and in 2013 Apple released the Lightning-equipped iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPad mini with retina display and the iPad Air.

Technology

Lightning is an eight-pin connector which carries a digital signal. It is non-directional and can be inserted into the device with either side facing up or down. Apple offers various adapters between the Lightning and other interfaces such as Lightning to Apple proprietary 30 pin, Lightning to universal serial bus (USB) as well as accessories to interface with high-definition televisions, VGA monitors, Secure Digital (SD) cards and SD card reader. The Lightning to 30-pin adapter supports only a limited subset of the available 30 pin signals: USB data, USB charging, and analog audio output.

Inserting the plug in one orientation is not electrically equivalent to inserting it the other way around (it is not palindromic). The plug itself incorporates a processor which detects the plug's orientation and routes the electrical signals to the correct pins. Official Lightning connectors contain an authentication chip that makes it difficult for third-party manufacturers to produce compatible accessories without being approved by Apple.[5] Nevertheless, Chinese company iPhone5mod began selling an iPhone 5 dock charging station in October 2012 and claimed that it could "bypass Apple's authentication functions" using "cracked chips".[6] iOS 7 enforces a block on any Lightning plug that is not authorized by Apple.[7]

In December 2012, Belkin became the first 3rd-party company to start selling lightning accessories (their line started with a car charger and dock).

Reception

Apple Lightning to USB Cable (MD818)

Lightning received mixed reactions from press and users after its release, some praising its improved functionality[8] and smaller size compared to its predecessor,[9] with others noting that accessories for previous iPod, iPhone and iPad models were incompatible with the new connector.[10][11][12] Still others criticized Apple's decision to create a new proprietary connector rather than incorporate the Micro-USB connector supported by most competitive low power mobile devices.[13][14]

It has been suggested that the move to a new proprietary cable is also an attempt to increase Apple's profits. "Don't expect cheap knockoffs of Apple's iPhone 5 chargers". CNN Money. October 2, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2013.. Apple demands license fees from makers of Lightning-compatible devices, as well as requiring all production of Lightning-based accesssories to occur in Apple-approved factories.. October 3, 2012 http://www.idownloadblog.com/2012/10/03/lightning-connector-licensing/. Retrieved October 27, 2013. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

Lightning vs Micro-USB

Lightning and Mini-USB plugs

There are several reasons suggested by industry observers as to why Apple chose to develop Lightning instead of using micro-USB. Most of these center around the perceived advantages to users and to Apple of Lightning over micro-USB:[15][16][17][18][19][20]

  • Power Capacity The micro-USB port is limited to 9 watts of power, which is sufficient to charge a phone, but not larger items like tablets.[15][17][18] The charger for the iPad carries 12 watts, but it is unknown if this is the upper limit for Lightning.
  • Ruggedness The Lightning plug is a solid slab of plastic. Micro-USB is a hollow envelope that is "notoriously fragile".[15]
  • Reversibility The ability of a Lightning plug to be inserted in either direction also reduces wear from attempts to insert the plug upside down.[15][16][18] If a pin on one side of a Lighting plug is damaged, it will continue to work if inserted in the other direction.
  • "Future-proofing" "...the Lightning connector appears able to sense what kinds of devices are being connected and to use chips embedded in the cable to assign pin functionalities appropriate for each situation ... [and] ... the adaptive nature [of Lightning] indicates that the same Lightning interface could evolve over time to support new technologies within existing hardware."[20][19]
  • Control / Authentication Apple's ability to control 3rd party accessory quality through Lightning licensing.[18][17]
  • Revenue With Lightning Apple can collect licensing fees.[16]

Trademark

On November 25, 2012, Apple acquired the “Lightning” licensing trademark from Harley-Davidson.[21]

iPhone charging port controversy in Europe

Although Apple smartphones are compatible with "chargers" that conform to the European common External Power Supply (EPS) standard, Apple does not include a micro-USB charging port on their mobile phones.[22][23][24] A micro-USB-to-Lightning adapter or the supplied USB-to-Lightning cable is required to connect Apple's iPhones with a common EPS or to any other USB port/charger/power supply. In a 2013 amendment to a "Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament … relating to ... radio equipment" the European Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection included a recommendation for "…A renewed effort to develop a common charger...". The amendment does not specify if the "common charger" being proposed (that would apply to many other types of "radio equipment" beyond smartphones) would be the same as the current European common EPS or something new/different. The proposal also does not indicate whether - like the common EPS standard - the use of connector adapters would be accepted for compliance. Some observers believe adapters would not be acceptable - requiring Apple to provide phones in Europe with a charging port different from the current Lightning port.[25][26][27][28]

See also

References

  1. ^ Pollicino, Joe (September 12, 2012). "Apple's September 12th event roundup: iPhone 5, new iPods, iOS 6, Lightning and everything else". Engadget. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  2. ^ Dillet, Romain (September 12, 2012). "The iPhone 5 Comes With The New "Lightning" Connector". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  3. ^ Schultz, Marianne (October 23, 2012). "Apple Announces Fourth-Generation iPad with Lightning Connector, New A6X Chip". MacRumors. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  4. ^ "iPad mini Technical Specifications". Apple Inc. December 2, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  5. ^ Foresman, Chris (October 3, 2012). "Apple revising MFi program to limit third-party Lightning accessories". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  6. ^ Foresman, Chris (October 9, 2012). "Apple's Lightning authentication allegedly broken by Chinese manufacturers". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  7. ^ "Apple blocks unauthorized Lightning cables with iOS 7". PhoneArena. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  8. ^ Etherington, Darrell (September 12, 2012). "Apple's New Lightning Connector: What It Does And Doesn't Change". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  9. ^ Lowensohn, Josh (September 14, 2012). "iPhone 5 buyers face Lightning cable, adapter scarcity". CNET. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  10. ^ Perlow, Jason (November 3, 2012). "Oh Apple Lightning connector, how do I love thee?". ZDNet. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  11. ^ Lendino, Jaime (November 6, 2012). "Apple's Lightning Connector: What You Need to Know". PCmag. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  12. ^ Shankland, Stephen (September 12, 2012). "Apple iPhone 5 gives the world a new connector: Lightning". CNET. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  13. ^ Yegulalp, Serdar (September 25, 2012). "Apple's Proprietary Lightning Beats Standard Micro-USB Mobile Connector". InformationWeek. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  14. ^ Williams, Alun (September 24, 2012). "Apple's new Lightning connector splits opinion". Electronics Weekly. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  15. ^ a b c d "Hardware comparison: Lightning connector vs MicroUSB connector". pocketables.com. December 20, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c "Design, money, control, why Apple went with Lightning over micro USB". gigaom.com. September 14, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c "Why Apple Couldn't Go to Micro USB Charging". techpinions.com. September 16, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  18. ^ a b c d "Engineer explains why Apple went with Lightning instead of Micro USB". idownloadblog.com. September 14, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Apple's Phil Schiller explains new 'Lightning' port,..." engadget.com. September 12, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  20. ^ a b "Apple's Lightning Connector Uses Adaptive Technology to Dynamically Assign Pin Functions". macrumors.com. September 25, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  21. ^ Goldman, David (November 26, 2012). "Apple bought Lightning trademark from Harley-Davidson". CNNMoney.com. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  22. ^ "Tajani: Common charger for small electronic devices". EC Enterprise & Industry Magazine. April 25, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  23. ^ "Answer given by Mr Tajani on behalf of the Commission". European Parliament. March 13, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  24. ^ "Answer given by Mr Tajani on behalf of the Commission". European Parliament. August 21, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  25. ^ "Radio equipment: harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market". European Parliament / Legislative Observatory. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  26. ^ "Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment'…". Eur-Lex.europa.eu. May 9, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  27. ^ "Apple may be forced to drop Lightning connector for MicroUSB". macworld.uk. September 30, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  28. ^ http://wyborcza.biz/biznes/1,101558,14705497.html

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Apple Lightning.
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