Now that Apple changed the dock connector on the new iPhone 5, iPod touch and nano, consumers are snapping up new adapters and cables, that could ring in $140 million in sales through next year.
Only a half hour after the iPhone 5 went on pre-order, one of the new adapters for the new, smaller Lightning connector docks sold out, and now faces a 2 to 3 week delay until October.
To help consumers match their car radio and other docks to the new iOS devices, Apple is offering 3 types of adapters. There are 2 Lightning to 30-pin connectors at $29 and $39 (one has a longer cable), which ship in October. A Lightning to USB cable ($19) originally shipped in September and has been moved back to October, as spotted by AppleInsider.
Apple’s switch in connectors will result in $100 million in sales of new adapters and cables throughout next year, and another $40 million this coming quarter, reported Mashable, citing ABI Research.
The dock is expected to cause some headaches for car audio, and some questions are beginning to emerge.
The new dock switches from a 30-pin connector that has been in use since 2003 to an 8-signal (pin) all-digital connector. Apple on Wednesday afternoon released an 800-page document to its licensees defining the dock specifications.
While engineers are still poring over the document, Scosche said the dock will permit audio out but not video or iPod out. Another supplier said it is uncertain whether a cable adapter will solve the video out problem while a third said, video out should be just fine.
Another question remaining is whether the adapters include built-in digital to analog converters.
Most suppliers said they were only just beginning investigations and would know more once the iPhone 5 ships September 21 and they can test the actual phone. (The new iPod touch and nano ship in October).
Jackson Electronics, which sells a car radio that permits an iPhone to “snap-in” to the front face says it has been preparing for the new iPhone as well as Android phones and it will offer an upgrade program for current customers. CEO Michael Gagliardi said, “We’re just now getting all the design specs on the 5. We designed iRoc for future Android phones, so the 30 pin connector assembly will swap out with the new lightning connector. We’ve been anticipating an upgrade program for current customers. Once we go through all the specs, will announce a program with an availability date.”
Pioneer said of the new dock, “We are working to evaluate the compatibility of the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 with our car, home and DJ products. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any information at this time.”
Source: AppleInsider, Mashable, CEoutlook
