Future iOS Connector to Support DisplayPort, USB 3.0 and more?

USB 3.0 Connector

USB 3.0 Connector

Here is some potentially exciting news for connectivity geeks, via Patently Apple. Apple has applied for, and been granted a patent on an all new slimline connector which is not only possibly for iOS devices but also for future Macs.

Whilst DisplayPort and USB 3.0 seem to be the main focus here, it seems likely that perhaps Thunderbolt (Intel’s “Light Peak” multi-purpose high speed connection technology, rebranded for Apple as Thunderbolt) may also show up in this connector at some point.

Although “Light Peak” was generally expected to be delayed, and also an optical only technology when brought to market, it made its first appearance on new Apple Macs recently in a form specifically tailored for Apple’s computers. Apple were one of Intel’s partners in the technologies inception.

Apple have a history of trying to reduce the amount of connectors, and the size of them on their devices. They also work very hard to keep connector compatibility between hardware iterations. Some see this as a bad thing as it typically results in expensive, proprietary connectors. But others love the simplicity of this admittedly premium, but space efficient and user friendly model.

Either way, the possibility of all of our devices having one multi-purpose connector, which operates between both desktop and mobile equipment, and offers many different flavours and levels of connectivity speed and complexity, is certainly an exciting prospect.

Will Apple surprise us with this connection technology in its upcoming iPhone 5? Will it be crippled in OS X or iOS so that only certain software can access all the functionality of the cables? Much like the current video cables for iOS are. Time will tell.. Let us know your thoughts in the comments…

{via Patently Apple}

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