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Apple Lightning cable inspection finds an extra-smart connector, won't make for cheap substitutes
Apple made much ado of the Lightning connector it launched side-by-side with the iPhone 5, but what we've known about it has been limited outside of the presence of an authentication chip. Double Helix Cables' Peter Bradstock has delved deeper and tells AppleInsider that there's some clever wiring that clinches the reversible design. While Lightning's power supply is truly symmetrical among the contact pins, the data isn't -- which suggests a chip inside is redirecting data to keep the plug working as intended. The technique helps explain why Apple would need any elaborate circuitry in the first place. No matter the wizardry inside, Bradstock doesn't see any cut-rate Lightning alternatives being useful in the near future: as it's unlikely that anyone outside of Cupertino knows how the authentication works at this stage, clone cables may amount to little more than heaps of metal and plastic.
Next iPhone's tiny docking connector possibly spotted (update: more details)
We've seen the rumored next iPhone's minuscule docking port more than once. Any of the cabling that plugs into that port, however, has been non-existent until today. If photos slipped to Nowhereelse.fr are more than just flights of fancy, they show a much narrower and possibly slimmer connector that matches up with the hole we've seen. It's so small that a full-size USB connector dwarfs it by comparison, and there's only eight contact pins per side (or possibly total) versus the 30 overall that we know today. We're not told if there are any special tricks besides the size reduction, though: while the new cable end looks dual-sided, there's no guarantee Apple will have eliminated the right-side-up requirement that afflicts just about every mobile-sized port format we've seen to date. If real, the redesign could lead to one less hassle for charging and syncing. It just wouldn't be much consolation to those who'd been hoping for a switch to a standard like micro-USB -- or, for that matter, to long-time iPhone owners who may have to give up or convert legions of accessories. Update: Since we first posted, the rumor has fleshed out a bit. It's claimed that there are eight pins on both sides, but that they perform different functions and might not let us plug the connector in any which way. Supposedly, the connectors also aren't the final models and reflect the problems the unnamed contractor has had meeting Apple's standards. Don't worry about claims of future iPads leaping to the new connector: if there's really a format switch underway, it's only natural that other devices will follow suit.
Optical cables for Thunderbolt coming in 2012
The cabling for Apple and Intel's next-generation peripheral interconnect will be getting an upgrade this year, says IDG. Thunderbolt optical cables will be shipping in 2012, according to Intel; current cabling for TB is all copper-based. The PCI-based Thunderbolt technology has always included optical cabling in its roadmap, but the costs of fiber versus copper and the development lead time meant that the initial implementation didn't include the optical option. Mac Thunderbolt ports and peripherals, fortunately, should be compatible with both types of cabling; swapping out one for the other should be straightforward for the most part. The only catch with optical TB cabling is that bus-powered devices (like Elgato's new Thunderbolt SSD drive) will probably require a power injector or standalone power supply. The optical cable's extended run length (multiple times the six-meter copper TB cable limit) means that power can't be dependably run through it. Thunderbolt peripherals have been thin on the ground since the first TB-equipped Mac models were announced early in 2011, but more and more are starting to arrive now. Sonnet's ExpressCard adapter allows for multiple interface options for TB machines, including FireWire 800 and eSATA.
Elderly Georgian lady disconnects Armenian internet for half a day... by accident
A 75-year old lady from Georgia (the country, not the state) has perpetrated an impressive feat of international sabotage in what seems to have been an accident of extremely bad luck. While foraging for copper wire near her home in the village of Ksani, the unnamed septuagenarian managed to come across a critical fiber optic cable, one responsible for serving internet connectivity to "90 percent of private and corporate internet users in Armenia" and some in her own country as well. Her swift strike at the heart of said bit-transferring pipeline resulted in all those folks being thrown offline for a solid 12 hours, while the Georgian Railway Telecom worked to find and correct the fault. In spite of her relatively benign motivations, the lady now faces three years in prison for the damage she caused. We'd say all's well that ends well, but this doesn't actually seem like a very happy ending at all.
Huawei breaks DSL speed barrier with 700Mbps prototype
DSL cables might not really be the sexiest thing in networking anymore, but what they are is ubiquitous, so let's not begrudge Huawei its feat here. The Chinese telecoms facilitator has shown off a new prototype that can pump 700Mbps of data across a 400-meter expanse. This is done by bundling four twisted pairs of copper wire together and sprinkling in some fairy dust to make them communicate at 175Mbps each. The clever bit here is in how crosstalk and interference are minimized, and Huawei claims a 75 percent improvement in bandwidth as a result. An immediate opportunity for these new cables will be, ironically, with fiber rollouts, as they could serve as the last connection between fiber hubs and your home. Then again, with Google and Chattanooga already looking at 1Gbps lanes, maybe the day of the copper wire has already passed?
Sony replacing handset wiring with a single copper cable
Sure, it's just boring ol' component news but you can guarantee that this advance will affect the appearance of Sony (and Sony Ericsson) products some time soon. Sony just announced the development of a "single wire interface technology" that replaces the 22 or so cables (used for power, control signals, audio, video, etc) typically found inside mobile devices (tucked away in the hinge or rotating parts) with a single copper wire cable capable of transmitting data at 940Mbps. That should translate into greater reliability while giving Sony's product teams more flexibility with their designs. Sony plans to "swiftly" implement the technology by licensing the IP to ROHM to help jointly develop the required silicon. More with less, as they say.
Apple teases Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (update)
Wait a second, can it be true? Is Apple really caving to the pressures of supporting a socket that's used by pretty much every home entertainment owner ever? In the Tech Specs section that went up with this morning's MacBook Pro refresh, there's a fourth video output listed: "HDMI output using Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (optional)." That's the first mention we've seen of such a cable from Apple itself; to date, users have had to rely on third-party solutions in order to get an HDMI connector from the Mini DisplayPort. Of course, we're guessing those alternatives sold at Monoprice will best Apple's in terms of price, but as of now, the company has yet to even reserve a product portal within its store. Let's just go ahead and call it: $29.99, shipping in May. Feel better? [Thanks, Arnav] Update: Ars Technica has it that Apple actually won't be making its own adapter; instead, these new machines will simply support audio pass-through with the aforesaid third-party dongles. Glad that's cleared up!
Belkin unleashes overpriced USB 3.0 peripherals: PCIe card, ExpressCard and cables
We've seen a few USB 3.0 peripherals pop up overseas, but by and large, the American market has been left to ponder the future of their transfers. Will they really be stuck with USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 (rest its soul) forever? Will no one rise to the occasion and provide the necessary gear to support the raft of SuperSpeed USB kit that's just around the bend? At long last, those restless nights are coming to an end, as accessory mainstay Belkin has announced today a foursome of devices to help you get every last MB/sec possible from your next external HDD. The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCIe add-in card ($79.99) gives your existing desktop a pair of USB 3.0 ports, while the ExpressCard adapter ($79.99) adds a pair to your laptop. Closing things out are a duo of USB 3.0 cables (A-B and Micro-B), both of which are available for $39.99 in a four foot run or $49.99 in an eight foot version. Mama always said speed didn't come cheap, and now you wish you would've listened. Don'tcha? %Gallery-86304%
AmazonBasics: Bezos and Co. starts private-label consumer electronics line
You had to see this coming. Or not. While Amazon has certainly shown an ability to do well in the consumer electronics space (ahem, Kindle anyone?), we never exactly envisioned the mammoth e-tailer to spark up its own private-label line of consumer electronics. Designed to go mano-a-mano with the likes of Monoprice and other cut-rate accessories providers, AmazonBasics will -- at least initially -- offer consumers AV cables, blank DVD media and other inexpensive doodads for not much cheddar. Everything the outfit sells through this initiative will ship in frustration-free packaging, and Bezos has already committed to expanding the line "in the coming months." As expected, these products will be eligible for free (albeit slow) shipping if you break the $25-per-order mark, and while Americans can begin ordering today, it'll be a tick before these wares trickle out to international portals. So, industry -- are you scared yet?Read - AmazonBasicsRead - Amazon's press release
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters now available for under $20
Got a Mini DisplayPort equipped laptop or video card and need to connect it to something... um, not Mini DisplayPort? If you've got a crisp Andrew Jackson, then Monoprice has an adapter for you with HDMI, DVI and VGA outs, all of which are now shipping for $14.25 and up. Unless you don't like saving money, nor enjoy your peripherals actually working with your new machine, it'll be hard to find a problem with this.[Thanks, Phil]
Lindy lets loose another locking HDMI cable
Locking HDMI cables -- ever heard of 'em? Yeah, they're all the rage in the home theater market right now, and given that Lindy has yet to come out with one of its own, well, it definitely had to remedy that. To be fair, the outfit's new Premium Gold HDMI 1.3b Cat 2 Cables don't actually posses the innate ability to clip in, but Lindy's quite clear that you can attach an optional Connector Lock for yank-proof peace of mind. The cables are available with 24K gold connectors and can be purchased in lengths ranging from 0.5 to 20 meters; check 'em right now across the pond for £49.99 ($70) and up.
ComponexX throws its wires into the ring, hopes to link up your home cinema
At this point, you're probably already locked into a certain cable manufacturer, but if you're open to changes in life, why not have a look at ComponexX? The wiring newcomer is aiming at the highly competitive low-end, bargain-priced market, with the X Series, Pro Series and Xtreme Series comprising the company's new offerings. Within those families, you'll find all sorts of cables including HDMI, S-Video, component, Toslink, DVI, FireWire, USB 2.0, coaxial, subwoofer, etc. From what we've seen, the prices really are pretty good, but it'll probably take stickers beyond comprehension to get you to stop surfing over to Monoprice.
DVIGear outs new HDMI / DVI equipment at ISE
New projectors aren't the only things being unveiled at Integrated Systems Europe this week, as DVIGear is using the spotlight to launch a new set of HDMI and DVI accessories. We're talking HDMI Matrix Switchers that support resolutions as high as 1080p (as well as dual-link DVI up to 4,096 x 2,400), HDMI 1.3 distribution wares, and long-range HDMI 1.3 extenders that transmit signals over CAT5e / CAT6 / Coax. The outfit will also be showing off its Super High Resolution HDMI and DVI cables, which rely on heavy 22AWG gauge wire in order to carry your Blu-ray signals along a fatter-than-usual pipe. For more details on the whole lot, head on south to the read link.
Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter ships next month for under $15
Who says you need a knock-down-drag-out to determine whether your next component should have HDMI or DisplayPort? The forward-thinking cats at Monoprice have finally provided a ship date for the forthcoming (March 15th) Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter, which ought to help bargain shoppers out who have found themselves with a Mini DisplayPort-equipped laptop or graphics card. The best part? It's just $14.25 for one, and even less if you buy in bulk. How's that for fair pricing in a tough market?[Thanks, Charbs]
HDMI saturates HDTVs, moving onto PMPs, STBs, etc.
We already heard late last year that HDMI adoption was on the rise, and now a new report from In-Stat asserts that the famed port is just about ready to take other areas of consumer electronics by storm. With HDMI adoption reaching nearly 100 percent in HDTVs, it's expected that 85 percent of IPTV set-top-boxes will have an HDMI port by 2012, while 10 percent of portable media players can say the same in just under three years. Also of note, HDMI-enabled product shipments are expected to increase overall at an annual rate of 23 percent up until 2012, while DVI-enabled shipments are forecast to decline at an annual rate of 30 percent through the same year. Ah, the unavoidable passing of the torch, so to speak.
AudioQuest cooks up field terminated HDMI cables
Installers and DIYers, take note -- AudioQuest has just solved one of HDMI's biggest challenges. Reportedly, the company has created the world's first HDMI cables and connectors that can be terminated in the field while still retaining the integrity of HDMI. Essentially, this solution calls for installers to split the 19 HDMI wires into two groups -- one of ten and one of nine -- in order to make each bundle one that can be crimped. Additionally, AudioQuest's design relies on solid conductors instead of stranded wires, which are supposedly better suited to keep signal integrity and geometry stability. Testing proved that these field terminated cables were able to maintain an optimal 100 Ohms throughout the connector, which is arguably even better than what's offered in the outfit's traditional soldered cables. Of course, HDMI Licensing still has to decide whether or not the new method is fit for certification, but you can bet that AudioQuest will be pushing its point hard in the near future.
Flexicord cables get bent... and stay that way
Ever have a cable you wanted to strangle? Well you're not alone, apparently. A company called E-Filliate issued a new series of USB, HDMI, Cat5, S-Video, and composite cables called Flexicord at CES this year which will bend -- and stay -- in any position you please, thus eliminating that frustration you must feel every time you plug in your camera or hook up your high fidelity sound system. The cables act like pipe cleaner or Gumby, so you can twist and shape them as you please, though apparently Pokey had to be killed and dissected so the technology could be obtained. Enjoy your new cable, murderers.[Via Everything USB]
PPC sees an opportunity, debuts its own locking HDMI cable
At first, we figured this whole locking HDMI cable fad would blow over in a matter of weeks. Clearly, we don't have nearly the amount of earthquakes, rambunctious children or wild animals running through the house as the general public. Out of seemingly nowhere, yet another outfit has emerged to showcase its own locking HDMI cable. PPC is sliding into CES in order to launch an HDMI cable (which is likely a rebadged Ottovonmo) with patented technology to hold it onto a port "with a strength that is three times greater than found in conventional connectors." So yeah, if you're fed up with your HDMI cable coming unplugged at the worst possible times (seriously, has anyone ever had this happen on a regular basis?), you can snag the 3-footer for $48.99, the 6-footer for $59.99 or the 12-footer for $72.99.[Via Electronic House]
QED's Revelation speaker cable is probably really expensive
QED's cabling is better known over in Britain, but Lenbrook America is hoping to get the strands into American homes. The cable is said to be a fusion of the company's high-end Genesis and X-Tube technologies, essentially pushing top-tier cable philosophies into a "mid-priced" product. The cable itself relies on a "figure 8" configuration and packs ten 99.999% oxygen-free, silver-plated cores, and while exact figures aren't disclosed, we're told that it's priced between the Genesis Silver Spiral and X-Tube. Which probably means "between expensive and outrageous."
Accell introduces locking HDMI cable of its own
Ottovonmo did the honors of introducing us all to the idea of a locking HDMI cable earlier this year, and now cable maker Accell is joining in. Said cable is expected to be showcased at CES 2009, and aside from boasting an obvious locking mechanism to ensure your cable stays put, there aren't a whole lot of details. Nope, not even a price / release date.
