Lightning (connector)
Top down view of a Lightning cable, showing the eight-pin connector
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| Type | Data and power connector | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Production history | |||
| Designer | Apple Inc. | ||
| Produced | 2012–present | ||
| Superseded | 30-pin dock connector | ||
| General specifications | |||
| Pins | 8 | ||
| Pin out | |||
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| Receptacle View | |||
| Pin 1 | GND | ground | |
| Pin 2 | L0p | lane 0 positive | |
| Pin 3 | L0n | lane 0 negative | |
| Pin 4 | ID0 | identification/control 0 | |
| Pin 5 | PWR | power (charger or battery) | |
| Pin 6 | L1n | lane 1 negative | |
| Pin 7 | L1p | lane 1 positive | |
| Pin 8 | ID1 | identification/control 1 | |
| Two differential pair lanes (L0p/n and L1p/n) may swap in IC of device connector (lanes don't swap if accessory identification chip connect to ID0 pin) | |||
Lightning is a proprietary computer bus and power connector created by Apple Inc. to replace its previous proprietary 30-pin dock connector, and is used to connect Apple mobile devices like iPhones, iPads and iPods to host computers, external monitors, cameras, USB battery chargers and other peripherals. Using eight pins instead of thirty, Lightning is significantly more compact than the 30-pin dock connector and can be inserted with either side facing up. However, it is incompatible with cables and peripherals designed for its predecessor, unless used with an adapter. It was introduced in 2012, and as of August 2015[update] is used by the iPhone 5 onward, iPod Touch (5th generation) onward, iPad (4th generation) onward, iPad Mini, iPod Nano (7th generation), Apple Pencil, Beats Pill+, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2, the Siri Remote, and the Apple TV Remote where Siri is unavailable.
Contents
History[edit]
The Lightning connector was introduced on September 12, 2012[1] as a replacement for the 30-pin dock connector, to be used for all new hardware that was announced at the same event. The first compatible devices were the iPhone 5, the iPod Touch (5th generation), and the iPod Nano (7th generation).[2] The iPad (4th generation) and the iPad Mini (1st generation) were added as Lightning devices in October 2012.[3][4]
On November 25, 2012, Apple acquired the “Lightning” trademark in Europe from Harley-Davidson, which had broad coverage for the mark and retains rights to use it.[5]
Technology[edit]
Lightning is an eight-pin connector which carries a digital signal. Unlike the connector it replaces (or the standard USB plug), the Lightning connector can be inserted either face up or face down. Apple offers various adapters which allow the Lightning connector to be used with other interfaces, such as 30-pin, USB, HDMI, VGA, and SD cards. The Lightning to 30-pin adapter supports only a limited subset of the available 30-pin signals: USB data, USB charging, and analogue audio output.
Official Lightning connectors contain an authentication chip that makes it difficult for third-party manufacturers to produce compatible accessories without being approved by Apple.[6]
Comparisons with Micro-USB[edit]
Apple has not publicly discussed micro-USB, but industry observers believe that Lightning was used for several advantages, such as compatibility with docks and speaker systems;[7] the ability to insert the cable in either direction offering user convenience;[8] Apple wielding more control over the ethics of the supply chain of accessories[9] and charging a licensing fee; the structural weakness of USB connectors;[8] and the Lightning connector's ability to either charge a device or to allow the device to power accessories. The optional supplemental standard USB On-The-Go allows USB devices to do this.[which?][10]
On April 10, 2015, Apple announced a new line of MacBooks that featured USB Type-C, which has many similarities with Lightning, but many advantages over Micro-USB.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Pollicino, Joe (September 12, 2012). "Apple's September 12th event roundup: iPhone 5, new iPods, iOS 6, Lightning and everything else". Engadget. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
- ^ Dillet, Romain (September 12, 2012). "The iPhone 5 Comes With The New "Lightning" Connector". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
- ^ Schultz, Marianne (October 23, 2012). "Apple Announces Fourth-Generation iPad with Lightning Connector, New A6X Chip". MacRumors. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
- ^ "iPad mini Technical Specifications". Apple Inc. December 2, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
- ^ Goldman, David (November 26, 2012). "Apple bought Lightning trademark from Harley-Davidson". CNNMoney.com. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
- ^ Foresman, Chris (October 3, 2012). "Apple revising MFi program to limit third-party Lightning accessories". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
- ^ "Engineer explains why Apple went with Lightning instead of Micro USB". idownloadblog.com. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
- ^ a b "Hardware comparison: Lightning connector vs MicroUSB connector". pocketables.com. 2012-12-20. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
- ^ "Made For iPhone manufacturers may have to comply with Apple's supplier responsibility code". Engadget. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
- ^ "c|net: Clever adapter connects USB accessories to your Android device"
Further reading[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Apple Lightning. |
- Wingfield, Nick & Chen, Brian X. (May 5, 2013). "Accessories No Longer Tethered to Apple". The New York Times.
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