February 25, 2012, 7:40 AM —
Beguiled by curvaceous images of yet another iPhone 5 "concept," the iOSsphere contemplated a future where iPhone 5 has a smaller dock connector and a 3D screen, and replaces your credit card.
Even though you'd be replacing it with something much larger and way heavier.
You read it here second.
___________
"Sometimes all you want to carry is your iPhone (or any other smartphone) without having to worry about a wallet as well. It'd be much easier to just pay for anything you want with the phone."
~ Shawn Ingram, GottaBeMobile, on why "worrying about a wallet" is, or should be, a design focus for the iPhone 5
__________
iPhone 5 will have a smaller dock connector
"Apple is fearless when it comes to driving the future," writes Rene Ritchie in a ringing post at iMore.com. "And the dock connector might be next on their list."
To be honest, Rollup doesn't immediately associate Fearless Futurity with the iDevice dock connector. We usually associate that with LTE+ or High-High Definition screens or six-core processors.
"We've heard that Apple is getting ready to ditch the dock connector as it's currently sized and implemented on iPods, iPhones, and iPads," says Ritchie, without even hinting from whom he might be hearing this. "The reason isn't anything political, like a new desire to conform to an outdated micro-USB standard, but typically Apple: to save space inside the iPhone 5 for what are now more important components."
His basic argument is that Apple has been ruthlessly imaginative in packing and repacking the iPhone's innards to optimize the use of the highly limited volume for components. "The dock connector as it exists now is a relatively big component that takes up, while not a lot of space compared to the entire assembly, a lot of space compared to the difference between mini and micro SIM."
Given that the iCloud synchronization and storage is now available, Ritchie notes, the use of that relatively big component is less important than it used to be. And more important are components like the long-expected LTE radio, and more space for a bigger battery to run it and higher resolution screens and a four-core processor.
"Apple probably won't go micro-USB either, because it's not faster and not Apple's style," Ritchie predicts. "A smaller dock connector — a 'micro dock' if you will — makes a lot more sense."
Such a decision would be a cause for rejoicing for many but for just as many a cause for weeping and gnashing of teeth because "not all current accessories would be compatible, of course, even if Apple offered an adapter dongle."
As with any Apple decision, the rule is: Get over it.
iPhone 5 3D display "a possibility"
Over at the aptly named PlanetInsane.com, Delaon has finally picked up on recent reports that Apple has been granted another patent for 3D technology and spun this gossamer filament of fact into gold. "3D Display a Possibility for iPhone 5", reads the headline.
As they say, anything is possible. It's possible that President Obama will decide to forego the next election and retire to Martha's Vineyard. It's possible that the alternative energy industry will figure out to way to make money without taxpayer handouts.
