iPhone 5: Every iPhone Accessory You Own Just Became Obsolete

Do you own anything that plugs into the bottom of your iPhone? An extra charger? An expensive dock? An iTrip? Anything else? Tough luck – its days are numbered. Techcrunch is reporting that Apple is working on a new 19-pin adapter for the iPhone 5, replacing the old 30 pin connector the company has used since the third generation iPod.
According to Techcrunch:

The connectors offered structural stability when connecting to most accessories but it’s clear – especially with the introduction of the MagSafe 2 port – Apple is more concerned with space savings inside each device.

Looking back on it, it’s sort of amazing that Apple held on to the connector for as long as it did – the company moves fast with upgrades to all of its products, and yet that standard connector has remained consistent for generations of new gadgets. It’s led to a proliferation of iPhone docks around the world – docks that, with the new iPhone 5, will be on their way to obsolescence.
There will be a fleet of new new iPhone accessories available when the new phone comes out, and anyone dedicated enough to wait in line for a new iPhone on launch day isn’t going to waste time upgrading. The environment will suffer, like usual, but expect accessory manufacturers to make a mint after an uncomfortable transition.
This was most certainly coming, and there was never any reason to expect Apple to hang onto the same adapter for more than a decade. And somebody will make a 19-30 pin adapter, but we’re still going to see the industry move towards making everything for the new iPhones rather than the old ones. I bought an iTrip when I went on a roadtrip to a music festival eight years ago. It’s worked for me ever since. Next time I want to upgrade, I suppose I’ll have to say goodbye.

Ed. Note — the original version of this article did not mention a 19-30 pin adapter.
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