The news about a new connector port for the latest iPhone to be released by Apple is already sending shockwaves through the iPhone accessories market. All the accessories which are available in the market today will be rendered useless for the new iPhone as the 30-pin connector dock is being replaced by a 19-pin connector dock. This doesn’t bode well for the users already owning an iPhone as they will have to replace each and every one of their iPhone accessories.
But all the Apple fans, experts and critics have failed to notice one prominent feature of the new connector dock that will supposedly be provided on the new iPhone: its similarity to a Thunderbolt port.
What is a Thunderbolt Port?
The Thunderbolt port was brought to the market by Apple, even though Intel deserves the credit for designing it. It is a common port which combines the dual functionality of Display Port and PCI Express. Furthermore, it is much faster than the USB technology. The Thunderbolt port can transfer data in two directions simultaneously at a mindblowing 10 Giga Bytes per second. This is almost twenty times the speed achieved by a USB 2.0 port in theory (practical speeds are much lesser than theoretically predicted speeds).
It is also three times faster the USB 3.0 technology. This new port is provided with the latest model of MacBook with the Retina display. Also, the Thunderbolt port can act as a common port for a daisy chain of more than six devices. Apple is known for its reputation of not releasing any information about its upcoming products. So, we cannot be certain that the new 19-pin connector dock is a Thunderbolt port.
Does the iPhone 5 need a Thunderbolt Port?
This question seems rhetorical considering smartphone makers, especially Apple, are trying to close the gap between smartphones and tablet computers. The appropriate question would be if the Thunderbolt port is significant for the iPhone 5’s capabilities or not. The answer will always be yes. Apple has time and again stressed that old technology should become obsolete and take the sidelines, paving way for the latest and faster technologies. This is apparent in the lack of an optical drive in the new MacBook which means, you cannot read data from an optical device. So, it will not be a surprise if the new connector dock for the iPhone 5 is a Thunderbolt port.
Don’t Be Surprised If the New Port is a Thunderbolt
Apple seems to have an obsession with making their gadgets thin, trying to fit in as much tech as possible into a small package. This is understandable and has to be appreciated considering Apple’s track record. However, a new and smaller connector dock is required if they have to make the new iPhone thinner than its predecessor. Also, the new phone will see an unprecedented data transfer speed which has never been witnessed in a smartphone till date. So, don’t be apprehensive about any changes in the new iPhone. For all you know, it might just be the start to a series of changes needed for a smartphone revolution.
