For almost two months, it has been rumored that Apple would implement in iPhone 5 a new small USB port, similar to the microUSB one that the EU promotes. Apple concluded an agreement with the EU by which it is obliged to implement this standard in iDevices and it seems that 2012 is the year in which the company will make the transition. I saw countless images of iPhone 5 prototypes who had such a port and to make everything believable Apple has patented the technology behind the big change coming with iPhone 5.
A power adapter for a peripheral device such as a portable electronics device is disclosed. The power adapter includes a housing that contains electrical components associated with the power adapter. The power adapter also includes a data port provided on the surface of the housing. The data port is configured to provide external power to the peripheral device. It would be desirable to remove the total number of connections made to a peripheral device so as to reduce the number of connectors and cables needed to operate the peripheral device. By reducing the number of connectors and cables, the peripheral size and the cost of the product may be decreased as well as the ease of use of the peripheral device may be improved (less cables to tote around).
In the patent registered to the Apple company, it is said that this new port contributes to the reduction of the size of the device, so the impact of the obligation to exchange old accessories with new ones will be mitigated perhaps by the fact that the new device will be thinner and perhaps more attractive. In the end, Apple seems determined to implement the new USB port in its iPhone, and I don't think it does it out of a desire to complicate users' lives, but out of a desire to comply with the provisions of a pact concluded with the EU.
