30-pin
Latest
Logitech unveils $60 wired iPad keyboard built for classroom abuse
Bluetooth keyboards for the iPad are nice and all, but aren't you going to need to be within a wire's-length to see the thing anyway? To that end, Logitech has announced a full-sized wired iPad keyboard targeted to classrooms with an emphasis on durability and maintenance. It has a spill-resistant design, three-year warranty and key life of over 5 million strokes, according to the company, and comes in either lightning or 30-pin versions. If you don't mind being tethered, the Lightning model will ship in August and the last-gen iPad model in November for $60 each -- but you can pre-order now at the source.
Logic3's Ferrari-branded headphones and speakers make their stateside debut, no license required to rock
Ferrari isn't a stranger to licensing its brand for use on gadgets. As of this week, the automaker's added some new offerings in the US on the audio front with the help of Logic3. Way back at CES we got our eyes on the duo's full lineup of co-branded headphones and speakers, and now folks in the US can officially get their hands on two such offerings (Tim Stevens-approved racing gloves not required). Its $400 Cavallino T350 headphones come in black or tan, featuring 40mm drivers, active noise cancellation, an inline remote / mic for your smartphone and a tangle-proof cord. As you'd expect, they're crafted from premium metal and leather for an extra luxurious feel on the ears. Those looking to fill a room with sound should take note of the $500 Scuderia FS1. It's a 2.1 speaker system complete with Bluetooth and the ever-aging 30-pin connector for older iOS devices. Sure, it's been a slow start to market, but here's to hoping the performance matches the prices -- hey, it still beats an actual payment on one of Ferrari's actual whips. Full press release after the break.
Why Lightning is extra awesome
Updated for clarity & to note that 30-pin cable is also universal for iPhone and iPad. Apple's Lightning cable received a fair amount of criticism when it was introduced along with the iPhone 5. The new port replaces the 30-pin connector found on previous iPhone models and contains proprietary technology that makes it difficult to clone. As noted by Jason Perlow of ZDnet, customers who use the port may miss their arsenal of 30-pin accessories, but they may come to appreciate the technological advantages this new cable system provides -- especially when compared to the mixed bag of charging standards on the Android side. The biggest advantage of the Lightning cable's design is that it lets you insert the cable into your iOS device in any orientation. Unlike the standard micro-USB connector and even Apple's 30-pin port, you don't have to eye the port and line up the sides to make the cable fit. Coming from someone who recently replaced the dock connector on an iPad and a Kindle Fire, this is a huge advantage over other port technologies. Apple's Lightning connector also can carry up to 12W of power, which is plenty to charge either an iPhone or an iPad (when paired with an iPad 2A charger), just as you could do with the 30-pin cable. As Perlow points out, this is quite different from the micro-USB connector world of Android devices; there is no standard for conventional USB that supports more than 9W. This means complications and frustration for tablets that need 10W; either they need proprietary chargers or they charge at the 5W rate. I don't need to tell you how convenient it is to have one cable and one power adapter to charge an iPhone, iPad, iPod and iPad mini, especially one that's built to last and that you can plug in without looking. This transition period from the 30-pin to the world of Lightning may be frustrating, but it will be brief -- and the next generation is going to be noticeably better.
Apple begins shipping its Lightning to 30-pin adapter at the speed of... freight
iPhone users with a flotilla of 30-pin devices, desperate to restore connectivity with their newest handset's natty connector, can rest easy. Cupertino has contacted several Australians who pre-ordered the 30-pin to Lightning adapter to tell them they can expect the first units to arrive tomorrow. The Stateside store is still promising a generic "October" launch, but it can't be too far away if the Antipodeans are getting theirs.
Lightning 30-pin adapter works with analog audio, "iPod Out" doesn't mean what you think it means (Updated)
A certain degree of confusion around not-yet-shipping products is inevitable, as hands-on information is limited and manufacturers' descriptions may be cryptic. In the case of the iPhone 5, Apple's not helping matters with its spec page for the Lightning to 30-pin dock adapters, specifically the mention of "iPod Out" not being supported. [Updated: As one of our commenters noticed, Apple has now removed the confusing reference to the "iPod Out" feature. The store page now says "This adapter lets you connect devices with a Lightning connector to many of your 30-pin accessories. Support for analog audio output, USB audio, as well as syncing and charging. Video output not supported." It's not clear if this actually means that the adapter does support iPod Out for car stereos, but it is clear that analog audio is included.] The $29/$39 Lightning adapter certainly sounds pricey (and is generating some high-profile complaints for its cost and for the retrofit challenges), but one reason for that is the amount of work it has to do. As with Thunderbolt, these are "cables with a chip"; they handle digital to analog conversion, USB audio, all the signaling for track changes, etc. that were part of the original 30-pin connector standard. There are two things these adapters won't do to emulate the 30-pin dock link. They can't send analog video out, and they don't support "iPod Out" mode. As soon as people began reading that the adapters didn't support "iPod Out" they immediately assumed (in the absence of helpful information, like a link on the spec page or something of that sort) that meant the adapters wouldn't handle analog audio, and that the iPhone 5 would completely obsolete millions of dockable devices at a stroke. Cue mass panic. Here's the thing, though: "iPod Out" doesn't actually mean "audio output from an iPod." It's the branding for a very specific feature for cars and remote-screen tools that was included in iOS 4, which delivered a customized iOS graphic display via the in-dash screens when the device was docked. BMW made a big deal of including this feature as early as 2010, but few other manufacturers have jumped on board. [Reader Abraham V. points out that the 2012 Honda Civic supports iPod Out; if you know of other cars that do, chime in via the comments. –MR] For my money (and possibly for plenty of other people's money), Apple ought to clarify the "iPod Out" notation ASAP on the adapter page, and it might need to do a little bit of consumer education about the capabilities of the adapter. Folks are definitely confused out there. Unfortunately, this consumer confusion isn't helped by coverage like this post at Cult of Mac or this CNN Money story, which erroneously conflate the "iPod Out" feature support with the fact that the Lightning interface is "all digital" and leap promptly to the conclusion that you can't get any analog audio out of the 30-pin adapter. That's incorrect. Macworld sought and received direct confirmation from Apple that the adapter does supply analog audio, and the company told The Verge that future adapters will support VGA and HDMI video out, just like the current 30-pin accessories. What does this mean for you? If you don't have a car that supports iPod Out, and you don't plan to buy one, go ahead and get that iPhone 5 or new iPod touch you're craving. The Lightning to 30-pin adapter may be clumsy and certainly isn't cheap, but it definitely will let you connect to your music.
Insert Coin: Twig, the tiny iPhone cable that's also a tripod (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Imagine an iPhone cable that was only four-inches long, doubled as a tripod and could bend to your every whim? That's the idea behind Twig, designed by former WIMM engineer Jason Hilbourne, who wanted something sturdier, smaller and more portable than Cupertino's "limp noodle." In partnership with an iOS accessory maker, the cable's three sturdy prongs will transform into a dock, wrap around objects or create a free-standing tripod for your FaceTime needs. It needs $50,000 to turn from dismembered action-figure prototype to reality, with an $18 pledge enough to secure you one of the first to leave the factory. After the break we've got the pitch footage, which includes what happens when you start prototyping with your Speed Racer dolls.
Innergie Magic cables wed USB and 30-pin connections, let you break 'em up on the fly
Apple's 30-pin connection got you feeling down in a world filled with USB? Wish your iDevice cable worked with more of your gizmos? Fret not, as Innergie recently introduced its effort to solve this dilemma with its Magic Cables. The idea is simple, one end is fitted with a standard connector and the opposite side terminates into a mini-USB plug that can be fitted with different tips. Twenty bucks will snag you the Duo variant with a 30-pin adapter and for $5 more you can pick up the Trio if you also need a micro-USB tip. All told, we're not sure that keeping track of minuscule adapters will prove much better than having a few cables, but if you're ready to consolidate your cords it may be worth a shot. Full press release just past the break.
PhotoFast iFlashDrive now available to pre-order in US and UK
We previewed the PhotoFast iFlashDrive back in June and it's a neat concept: a USB flash drive that also packs Apple's 30-pin dock connector, so you can increase the storage on your iDevice. If that piqued your interest, you'll be glad to know it's available to pre-order in the US and UK. The 8GB flavor will cost you $99.95 (£65), 16GB $149.95 (£95) and for users with a serious need for mobile storage, a 32GB stick is $199.95 (£130). iCloud? Who needs it.
