The iPhone 5 is expected to be announced in September or October and the device will feature a 19-pin connector according to two different anonymous sources who spoke with Reuters .
Apple currently utilizes a 30-pin connector on all of its iPhone and iPad devices, however one source says the smaller connector will allow the earphone adapter to move along the bottom of the new device while providing more room for other components.
By changing the type of connector for the iPhone 5 and future Apple devices accessory manufacturers will be forced to redesign any products they hope to sell for iOS based products. While a redesign of entire product lines might seem like a hassle many vendors have watched accessory sales dwindle as product lines are simply carried over to new iPhone and iPad versions.
One Reuters manufacturing source reveals:
“iPod docking speaker sales have been declining for one or two years. My previous factory is a lucky one. They shifted the focus to Bluetooth speakers, which proved a wise decision now. It looks like while iPodspeaker sales are going down, Bluetooth speaker sales are going up.”
Apple will also likely create some type of adapter so users can continue to use their current products with the device. While most users will probably not want to keep an adapter plugged in all day it will prove useful on larger ticket items that were expensive to procure such as high-end stereo systems that include 30-pin dock connectors and in-car bluetooth systems with iPhone holders.
Apple launched the original 30-pin dock connector as part of its 3rd generation iPod in 2003.
