Reuters seems to have confirmed the speculation that the next-generation iPhone will have a smaller connector port, which would render current accessories that use the dock useless. These include chargers, keyboards and speaker systems.
The iPhone has always used 30-pin connector ports, but it seems the iPhone 5 will shrink the connector to 19-pins forcing owners to buy new peripherals.
This will come as good news for accessory manufacturers, as well as Apple itself which sells dozens of lines of iPhone-connected gadgets.
"The iPhone 5, Apple's next generation iPhone expected to go on sale around October, will come with a 19-pin connector port at the bottom instead of the proprietary 30-pin port "to make room for the earphone moving to the bottom", two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.That would mean the new phone would not connect with the myriad of accessories such as speakers and power chargers that form part of the ecosystem around iPods, iPads and iPhones, without an adaptor.That means new business, analysts say."It represents an opportunity for accessory vendors," said Pete Cunningham, London-based analyst at technology research firm Canalys. "The iPhone connector has been a standard for a long time now and I would expect the same to be true for a new connector, should Apple change it as expected."Apple did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment."
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