While Apple recently started shipping Lightning connector adapters to waiting customers, many iPhone 5 users have wondered when they can snag some possibly lower-cost, third-party alternatives. One source claims Apple will host a conference in China early next month for accessory partners, imparting details on policy changes affecting Lightning-ready products.
TechCrunch is reporting a source "close" to Apple's manufacturing partner supply chain says the event will take place in Shenzen, China on November 7 and 8. While the conference will likely address a number of issues surrounding accessory production, Lightning connector products should be a key point.
Recently, a Chinese manufacturer, iPhone5mod, announced the company had managed to circumvent Apple's chokehold on Lightning accessories. Allegedly, iPhone5mod was able to acquire "cracked" chips to bypass Cupertino's technology.
While a few companies have already attempted to manufacture and sell Lightning knockoffs, the products are of questionable quality; not to mention in danger of facing lawsuits from Apple's legal team.
Recently, Chipworks tore down the official Lightning cable, revealing what appears to be a security chip, meant to thwart manufacturers outside of Apple's approved list of accessory partners. Granted, if iPhone5mod's claims are accurate, it sounds like Chinese engineers may have already found a way around the chip.
As the standard 30-pin connector's relevancy comes to an end, there's little doubt the market will find itself flooded with cheap imports. The bigger question is what policy changes Cupertino will enact under the Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad, or MFI, program. If Apple's demands on manufacturers are seen as too stringent, there's an incentive for Chinese suppliers to go the black-market route.
Follow this article's author, Matt Clark on Twitter.
