Accessories

Philips launches four new eye-candy speaker docks with Lightning I/O

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Consumer electronics maker Philips unveiled four interesting speaker docks designed for Apple's latest iOS devices that incorporate Lightning I/O (the iPad mini, fourth-generation iPad with Retina display, fifth-generation iPod touch and the seventh-generation iPod nano). Of course, built-in Lightning I/O means music lovers can dock/charge Lightning enabled iOS devices and play their music at the same time. One portable speaker and three units for indoor use all feature eye-catching modern design and those who had a chance to personally test these boom boxes claim they sound every bit as good as they look...

Read More

Griffin to launch official Lightning cables next week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Lightning-flavored accessories were fairly scarce in the first few months following Apple's September iPhone 5 launch. But over the past few weeks, we've started seeing more of them surface.

The latest batch of supplements comes from Griffin. The third-party manufacturer announced yesterday that it would be launching a handful of new Lightning-to-USB cables next week...

Read More

This 3-inch Lightning cable fits on your key ring

Cody Lee ∙ November 28, 2012

Have you ever found yourself out and about with a dying iPhone and no charger? With the introduction of Apple's new Lightning port, that scenario isn't nearly as unlikely as it used to be.

That's why Kickstarters Kegan & Roberto developed the Nomad, a 3-inch USB-to-Lightning cable that fits on your key ring. That way, you'll never find yourself without an iPhone charger again...

Read More

Podi-m is a beautiful dock for your Lightning device

Cody Lee ∙ November 27, 2012

Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday are now behind us, meaning that Christmas is less than a month away. And for those of you looking for last-minute gifts for that special gadget-lover in your life, iOS accessories are always a nice choice.

Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of options available for Apple's newer devices like the iPhone 5 or the iPad mini due to their new Lightning connectors. But if you're determined to find something, you might want to check out the Podi-m...

Read More

The iPhone 5 Lightning Dock review

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

As most of you probably know by now, Apple has no plans to create a first party dock like it has for previous versions of the iPhone. That's unfortunate, since I rely on a dock for doing videos and such, and I know plenty of others miss it as well.

The only recourse us iPhone 5 owners have, is to opt for a third party product. One such product is The Lightning Dock, a dock comprised of a solid piece of aluminum, which can be ordered in one of four configurations.

After ordering my Lightning Dock back on October 5th, I finally received it in the mail yesterday via USPS. Needless to say, I was stoked to finally have a dock that could function with new Lightning enabled devices like the iPhone 5, iPod touch 5th gen, and even the iPad mini.

Take a look inside for our hands-on video walkthrough and review...

Read More

JBL launches two Lightning docking stations

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 15, 2012

JBL today announced a pair of interesting iOS docking stations with built-in support for Apple's new Lightning I/O. Filed as JBL's first-ever Lightning-enabled speakers, both the $199 OnBeat Venue LT and $99 OnBeat Micro also feature a built-in USB connector for hooking up non-Lightning music sources. The smaller OnBeat Micro is the perfect traveling companion due to its tiny footprint and support for standard batteries which can provide up to five hours of playback.

Its bigger brother, the Venue LT, can dock via a built-in Lightning port any iOS device with Lightning I/O, which currently entails the iPhone 5, the fifth-gen iPod touch, the new iPod nano, the iPad mini and the fourth-gen iPad...

Read More

Scosche unveils new Lightning accessories

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

It's been nearly two months since Apple released the iPhone 5, and accessories for the handset are still extremely hard to find. So far all we've seen, as far as Apple-approved add-ons, are a car charger and sync dock from Belkin.

Good news this morning though. The California-based Scosche Industries has announced its own official lineup of Lightning accessories, which includes a wall charger, a car charger, and a retractable USB charging/sync cable...

Read More

Apple and MFi makers: Lightning is waterproof, ethical accessories

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 8, 2012

We relayed word mid-October that Apple would hold a two-day discussion with third-parties in Shenzhen, China the following month in order to discuss terms an guidelines pertaining to Lightning-compatible accessories that bear the Made for iPhone / iPod / iPad (MFi) program logo. In spite of secrecy, one publication has learned a few topics that are being discussed at the meeting.

For starters, Lightning I/O is waterproof. So, knowing the dynamically assigned pins of the Lightning connector won't corrode or degrade if dunked into water should make you feel good. I'm just taking a wild guess here, but it's quite possible Apple made this move to appease a cottage industry around waterproof accessories. More tidbits below the fold...

Read More

Belkin launches two official Lightning accessories

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 25, 2016

Unofficial Lightning accessories that use cracked chips one-up Apple's offering on price, but the "Made for iPhone" (MFi) stamp of approval has its advantages, mostly by reassuring buyers that MFi accessories meet Apple's standards of quality and extensive testing. Belkin was the first third-party manufacturer out of the gate with 30-pin connector accessories back in 2003.

On Monday, it has also become the first official Apple partner to launch Lightning-enabled accessories. The company launched a car charger and a sync dock, both priced within reach of budget shoppers. Belkin is accepting pre-orders today, promising to ship the products later this month...

Read More

Apple’s Lightning to Micro USB Adapter hits US online store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple's been an avid supported of USB for years. With USB 3.0, not so much - at least not until first Mac notebooks with USB 3.0 support began rolling out of assembly lines last year. The company, however, never adopted the industry-standard Micro USB connector. Instead, and much to the horror of the multi-billion dollar accessory biz, it chose to replace its own bulky, decade-old proprietary 30-pin dock connector with Lightning, another proprietary connector similar in size to micro USB (there's a reasonable explanation for that).

So, if you fancy connecting your Lightning-enabled mobile devices to micro USB cables and chargers to sync and charge, Apple comes to the rescue with its official Lightning to Micro USB Adapter. Originally released in Europe in September due to regulations mandating that all mobile phones be charged via commonplace micro USB adapters, it's now finally available to U.S. customers. How much? Just $20. I know, don't start...

Read More

Unofficial Lightning docks arrive

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

As Apple prepares to convene with accessory makers next month in order to lay out new rules pertaining to third-party Lightning gear, companies like iPhone5mod continue to exploit the supply-demand imbalance in order to produce unofficial accessories like cables and adapters that all use cracked Lightning chips.

iPhone5mod already has a few of these in its offering and they've just announced another accessory which could easily strike a chord with long-time Apple fans: a Lightning dock. Just like it removed the optical drive from the new iMac, Apple with the iPhone 5 stopped making docks for Lightning devices. Therefore, this opportunity has basically presented itself...

Read More