Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks at the event introducing the iPhone 4S at the company's headquarters... [+]
It’s largely accepted that Apple intends to unveil its new iPhone 5 at a special event on September 12. This iteration of the device that shook the smartphone space in 2007 is expected to be compelling in that many expect a large evolutionary step forward from last year’s phone and possible changes include shape and app content. Another rumored change concerns a new 19-pin dock connector. This might cause owners of earlier iPhones cringe at the thought of having to purchase adapters but Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) shareholders might be heartened to know that its rumored that the Cupertino, California-based firm will be the only maker of the dock connector adapters.
Let’s, for a moment, separate our emotional reactions to this possibility from the more practical reasons why Apple could see this as a great move, and why – if it’s true – it probably is. Did Apple decide to switch from its already widely used 30-pin dock to the new 19-pin one so that it could cash in on people buying adapters? Not likely (though stranger things have probably happened in business).
What’s more probable is that through its R&D process in designing the new iPhone 5 – a task likely double-teamed by Apple technicians and Sir Jonathan Ive’s ‘Kitchen Table Club’ of designers – the company found a way to make the device thinner, more aesthetically pleasing or more efficient with the use of the new dock. The company hasn’t shown itself to have problems ditching what it perceives to be ‘old’ technology in favor of a change—think about the company’s rejection of Flash.
When the company decided to use the 19-point dock – assuming it came to the conclusion that it could handle the demand for dock adapters once the new iPhone was released – what reason would there be not to act as sole provider of necessary adapters? Why give that revenue to someone else?
The dock adapters in question are expected to cost about $10 each and the company has not provided developers specs on the new dock. Is it realistic for Apple to keep up with the demand for adapters the new iPhone will spark? We shall see. If not, it’s unlikely the company will have difficulty finding developers willing to help them out.
If this possible move to change the iPhone dock and act as sole provider of adapters makes you suspicious and question whether the whole change is a plan to boost revenues, you’re probably also tearing your hair out wondering whether the rumored changes to the device’s shape is merely a greedy plot to cash in on the iPhone accessories market. In the end, it’s probably just a mixture of technology, product development and good, old-fashioned, hardheaded business strategy.
