When Apple announced it was updating the magnetic charging connection on its 2012 MacBooks, the company released an adapter that allowed users to charge new MagSafe 2 notebooks with older MagSafe chargers. That adapter is available for $10. But when Apple unveiled the long-rumored change to its 30-pin Dock Connector yesterday, those with older Dock Connector cables, speakers, chargers, docks, batteries, etc., didn’t get off quite so cheaply.
The new Dock Connector, which Apple calls Lightning, won’t fit any existing iPhone, iPod, or iPad accessories. So if you want to use those accessories you’ve likely been accumulating for the past few years, you’ll need a 30-Pin Dock Connector to Lightning Adapter.
And Apple will gladly sell you one… for $30.
I’m glad Apple changed its aging Dock Connector, and I very much like the design and improved usability of Lightning. But charging $30 (or $40 or the adapter with a built-in cable) is outrageously and unjustifiably pricey; you can buy an entire MP3 player with a screen, 8GB of storage, a processor, controls, etc., for less than $30. Charging $10 – which would have still allowed a hefty profit margin – would be much more reasonable.
I will be getting the iPhone 5, and I have many accessories that use the standard Dock Connector. But I won’t be giving Apple $30 a pop for their adapters. I’ll wait for eBay or Amazon to sell third-party or OEM models for $3, even if I have to wait a few months.
And if you’re smart, you’ll do the same.
M. Nichols, Products Editor