Apple Jan. 27 launch event... what will it be?

[ERCougar]

if, by charger, you mean only the square power source, then yes, I believe you can since the only input is a standard USB outlet. The cords themselves are different now because the pin count is different on the iPhone 5, so you can no longer use those interchangeably. But there is no added costs to me there.

I don't get the angst about adapters.

Do you just carry the cord around with you everywhere?
Even for my iPad (with a really good battery life), I have a few scattered around. One at home, one at work, a spare in my car. I forget them too easily.

[ERCougar]

FYI, 3rd-party versions are already showing up on Amazon for $8. The price will certainly drop further with time.

And BTW, you can get a mico-USB to Apple adaptor on Amazon for 28 cents:

http://www.amazon.com/BestDealUSA-Fe...30-pin+adapter

Not sure why you would need one, though.

That's the old one.

You're right though--I'm sure third party ones will pop up. But the real question is--why not just put a damn micro USB port on like everyone else?

[Jeff Lebowski]

That's the old one.

You're right though--I'm sure third party ones will pop up. But the real question is--why not just put a damn micro USB port on like everyone else?

Again: why? I can't think of a single time this was an issue for me.

[falafel]

Again: why? I can't think of a single time this was an issue for me.

Why not? Is there a real benefit to the proprietary charger? Honest question. I have heard that its not any faster in terms of transfer.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Why not? Is there a real benefit to the proprietary charger? Honest question. I have heard that its not any faster in terms of transfer.

I really like the fact that it is symmetric. Plugs in just fine up or down.

[falafel]

I really like the fact that it is symmetric. Plugs in just fine up or down.

+1 I guess.

What about the old 108 pin connector? What was up with that?

[MartyFunkhouser]

Because everyone and their dog has one, so I can borrow a charger. Because they're dirt cheap online. Because all of my car chargers have them.
This was a surprise and would have ticked me off had I bought the new iPhone. With all of Android using these, I think this will hurt Apple, because it's one less reason to switch over. I wouldn't be surprised if they fix it with next year's version.

This is why it is an issue. I forgot to charge me phone the other day and was over at my parent's house. I was able to charge it using the micro-USB charger they have for their phone. I also have multiple spare chargers, because the past 3 phones that I have bought all use micro-USB.

[ERCougar]

I really like the fact that it is symmetric. Plugs in just fine up or down.

Symmetric is cool.
It's not that it's an advantage to have USB. Just that if you're an android user with a bunch of chargers that are usb, it's one more reason not to change. Just seems silly. Or smart, I guess, if you want to make more money off devotees.

[TripletDaddy]

Do you just carry the cord around with you everywhere?
Even for my iPad (with a really good battery life), I have a few scattered around. One at home, one at work, a spare in my car. I forget them too easily.

No I don't but I have never purchased extra cords, When I buy an apple device, I get a cord, so I simply keep one at work and one at home.

With this new cord for the 5, I guess I will charge my phone at home at night until I purchase a second device that uses the new pin system (likely the upcoming iPad iteration) and then repeat my custom all over again. I don't use my phone enough to routinely charge it more than once a day, so I don't think I have a need to buy extra cords specifically. How much are they? If they only cost a few bucks, then maybe it might be worth it.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Finally, I found your pros/cons lists to be a great example of how completely subjective this can be sometimes. For example, you said nothing about camera quality, which is one of the most important advantages of the iPhone for me.

No doubt about it, the camera quality on the iPhone is better than any Android phone. However, it is looking like the Nokia Lumia 920 is about to surpass iPhone on camera quality.

[TripletDaddy]

This is why it is an issue. I forgot to charge me phone the other day and was over at my parent's house. I was able to charge it using the micro-USB charger they have for their phone. I also have multiple spare chargers, because the past 3 phones that I have bought all use micro-USB.

m to the p, what in blazes are you doing that you need so many chargers in your life? are you on the cell phone that much each day?

[Maximus]

Again: why? I can't think of a single time this was an issue for me.

Because it is the plug everything else uses. No reason not to. Apple does it so they case more money off cable purchases.

[Jeff Lebowski]

How much are they? If they only cost a few bucks, then maybe it might be worth it.

~$10 on Amazon and dropping fast. I predict they will be under $5 very soon.

Because it is the plug everything else uses.

Except the huge portion of the population that owns and iPod, iPad, iPhone, etc.

No reason not to.

Symmetric connector is a nice reason not to.

Apple does it so they case more money off cable purchases.

You can always go with a third-party vendor. Much cheaper.

[ERCougar]

~$10 on Amazon and dropping fast. I predict they will be under $5 very soon.

Yes, I'm sure they will go under $5. As soon as they really are available at $10.

EDIT: or even available. This one usually ships in 3 to 5 weeks though!
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Hyperion-Replacement-Lightning-Charging-Packaging/dp/B009E8ASJ2/ref=sr_1_40?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1348684903&sr=1-40&keywords=iphone+5+charger"]Amazon.com: Hyperion Apple iPhone 5 New 8-Pin USB Sync Data Adapter / Replacement for Lightning Charging Cable for Apple iPhone 5 and New Ipod Touch **Hyperion Retail Packaging** Sync Data On ALL Apple iPhone 5 / iPod Touch 5th Gen / iPod Nano 7th Gen. Models (Pre Order): Cell Phones & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/219WkFnjU7L.@@AMEPARAM@@219WkFnjU7L[/ame]

[Northwestcoug]

I'll add that I think (just my opinion and don't have any stats to back this up) that a number of iPhone users remain loyal because of their investment in apps. I can get most apps I need for free from several sources on Android. I am not tied to iTunes like iPhone users are.

This is me. Not just the apps, but all my music. Even if GS3 was far and away a better phone, I'd stick with the iPhone just because everything else is too engrained. Baaa!

Maybe iPhone users just really, really like the iPhone and prefer it to the GS3 regardless of the fact the GS3 has this gadget or that gizmo. Just a thought.

And this is me also. I really like the iPhone. It does what I need to do. Baaa!

You keep saying this. Who needs adapters? Like the guy with a $400 phone is going to par it with a out dated accessory.

I am perturbed about this. I have a docking station for my home stereo, and a small speaker system in my office. I'll probably keep the old home docking station paired with an old ipod, as the new phone wouldn't fit in the case anyway. But I'll have to get an adaptor for my office speaker, as it wasn't that cheap.

But I'll still do it. BAAAAA!