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Surprise! Apple’s being a massive dick again. It’s crushed a really great, universal charging idea, which was gaining serious steam on Kickstarter, because it won’t allow the Lightning adapter to be used in a device with multiple charging options. Thanks Apple, some of us still have older Apple devices you know, oh, and the odd microUSB-charged thing too. Sometimes, you’re a right nob.
According to Apple’s licencing requirements for the Lightning adapter, that yes, was a big step up from the ancient 30-pin dock connector, you can’t even bundle the Lightning connector with something that can also charge via the old 30-pin. Now that’s just goddamn arse-backwards. Why in hell would Apple block something that can charge all of its own devices? I mean, not everyone’s upgraded to an iPhone 5 — hell, some people bought an iPad 3 thinking it would last at least a year before you made it obsolete, Apple.
In Edison Junior’s own CEO’s words talking to Venture Beat:
“We are pissed. I think they are being a bunch of assholes, and I think they’re hurting their customers.”
I couldn’t agree more. The only bright side to all this is that Edison Junior’s doing the right thing and refunding all the kickstarter backers their contributions in full, which means the company’s going to take a hit in both card fees and kickstarter’s own fees.
I guess when you’re beholden to a private company like Apple, who loves proprietary connectors, you’re basically screwed if it decides it doesn’t like you, and your idea. But come on Apple, don’t be a dick. Make our lives easier, and don’t block things like this. Otherwise we might be forced into buying the Chinese knockoffs instead. [Venture Beat]
And if you’re curious, this is what you can’t have:
You're Being a Dick on Instagram
Report: Apple Is Being a Massive Cheapskate with Its Music Streaming Service
Massive Greenhouse Gases Killed the Earth Before and It Could Happen Again
What do you mean “Apple’s Being a Massive Dick Again”? The “Again” part implies that this is not the first time, but also implies that there was a period when they weren’t being a massive dick. Surely “Apple’s Being a Massive Dick About Something Else Now” is a more accurate title.
Ha, maybe. What’s with the key btw?
Ingress Resistance Logo. You’ll have to Google it as iPhone users can’t play (yet).
Vive la Resistance!
Oh right, yes, we wrote about that. Interesting. Is it any good?
Huge fun and good exercise
Darrell, you might be interested to hear my wife’s actually buying me a Nexus 7 for Christmas so my affection for Apple may be coming to an end after all.
Now, where did I put that Google + login?
surely they’ve gotta sleep sometime?
Or maybe they’re even dicks in their own dreams.
That’s right, I think you got it spot on! They are DICKS i their own dreams! DickDreamingDickDreamers!!
Apple being a massive dick makes up for their fans inadequacies.
I have decided to take a small slice personal offence to that remark, as i have an iPhone, iPad and a Macbook Pro.
Just because Apple is being a dick, which it clearly is, theres no need to start having a dig at those of us that use their products, it’s just not cricket
Sorry tiny, didn’t mean to cause offence
It’s ok, it was tongue in cheek, i’m just messin wid ya!
Anyone who can call Spatchmo tiny clearly hasn’t met him.
You should come find us on Google+ by the way!
What’s a google+?
It’s a magical place, we’re on our way there, toys in their millions, all under one roof, called Google Plus!
what they could do is have multiple USB sockets on the bottom and sell connectors for different phones maybe?
or does that still mean apple can say no?
No, they could do that, but it was all about being retractable and all. Actually, doesn’t Apple have to sell microUSB to Lightning adapters by Law in the EU? That would work.
This is what I was thinking, surely this could be challenged in the EU?
No, not challenged, but they could just bundle the adapters.
What? You don’t have an iPhone 5 and the new new new new new new iPad?
What the hell is wrong with you?
Everyone will judge you for having such an old iPhone and the old new new old new iPad. You are sooo November 2012. Loser!
I suggest we set up a “buy Sam an iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad 4″ fund
or we could set up a buy me a hovering wheelchair fund
Equipped with an iPad mini (reduced drag compared to an iPad).
How about a nexus 4,7 & 10. Cheaper for us, better for you.
They are dicks. This is the sort of thing that stops me from ever buying apple products. Arseholes.
There are alternatives, Nexus 4 for half the price of an iPhone 5 and only a 5 month wait lol.
Seriously though just get a Galaxy S3 or Note 2, much better phones.
Ordered my Nexus 4 on the 4th Dec, got it on 17th days ago. Now I’ve done my calculations and I don’t think that’s quite 5 months
I think he meant the unlucky chaps, like me who haven’t manage to place an order yet
Ahh, fair point. I thought they were still taking orders.
This is just another reason why i’m glad I sold my iphone and ipad. Apple’s so stubborn and grredy. The os is stale and their products are massively overpriced. If I had a pound for every time I heard the words, magical, amazing, beautiful I would be rich. Oh and “we had to completely rethink the way we manufacture the WHATEVER. Anyone remember SIR ive going on about the iphone 4 screen “the iphone 4 screen is comprable to sapphire crystal” What a load of bollocks. I don’t know about anyone else here, but I’ve had watches with sapphire crystal glass and the do not scratch. Even after years of use. My iphone though, lasted a whole week before getting scratched in my pocket (which was always empty) There, I feel better now.
Good for you, we love a good rant here at Gizmodo!
Agreed, compared to a Rolex they’re just crap
And Breathe…
And find your happy place…
Feel all the anger and tension leaving your body…
You are calm and centred and ready to continue commenting.
Darrell ‘Buddha’ Jones eh?
Fat, Bald, Wise, All Knowing. Sounds like it.
Darrell you’ve changed
Really, I’ve been all of the above for quite some time.
Still, it doesn’t stop this from being a great idea and perfectly saleable. Just market it to the hoards of people with pre-lighting connectors and the very small number of people with micro-USB devices.
As an Apple fan who’s often defended their decisions on this site before I have to say this just reeks of pettiness.
Why do these third parties have to include Apple in their products? Profit. No other reason. Just make your adaptors for every other brand/product and exclude Apple. It’s really quite simple.
Yeah I always wondered about that, especially given the rise of Android (which has a bigger market share?). I imagine it’s probably due to people with iPhones having a bit more money maybe?
odd point, most of the “more well off” people i know tend to have the Samsung S3, the iphone seems to be the new chav phone as far as i can see.. but with RIM on its arse iPhone will be the next business phone i guess..
Ah but chav’s tend to have extravagant spending habits what with free money coming in.
Okay that’s slightly unfair generalisation, I apologise
The last time I raised this argument people wouldn’t stop telling me how the standard Apple adapter can carry sound AND video over it, or just sound to your car stereo.
If I brought a universal charger (which I did back in the bad old days before MicroUSB standard came in) and it didn’t support the Nokia standard prong, and motorola one, and SE one, I’d be pissed, in fact I wouldn’t bother buying it.
This is supposed to be a universal solution. Based on this stupid policy, I guess if they ever add wireless charging you’ll have to be an iCharging station separate too?
This article is spot on its a dick move, seems they are saying, you must have only Apple products, nothing else will do, don’t want to be tainted by that Android you are charging off the same socket.
If we owned our own kick ass phone/tablet company which manufactured and sold design heavy, aesthetic led products (albeit with an average OS), would you want consumers to avoid our stores/website and buy a third party adaptor from another site (selling or linking to competitor products)? Given how much money we would have spent on R&D developing our new charger we’d probably want them to f*ck off. It’s about refining buyer behavior and sales metrics and a load of other shit. Inviting a foreign entity and giving them a position in our product and online infrastructure is madness. Sheer and utter lunacy!
Your argument went to pieces when you started talking about the R&D budget. Apples is tiny, they seem to spend most of their money on bullshit advertising and frivolous lawsuits.
That’s baloney Darrell and you know it! There should be an inquiry looking into your posts on Giz. I’m sure over 90% of them are anti-Apple. Let’s hope there’s more to you in 2013.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/apples-r-and-d-spending-hits-bottom-as-percentage-of-revenue/60872
As for over 90% of my posts being anti-Apple, now that’s baloney. Let’s hope there’s less of you in 2013
Poor sod. You really believe spending trillions on R&D equates to better products?
We’ll continue this conversation in 12 months time. I think you’ll find I’ll be rocking a smug face and a semi.
Can’t get a full hard on these days? Don’t worry, there’s pills for that
So.. make it for all other devices and screw apple.. it has 2 normal USB ports as well so we can choose to charge a device with the supplied cable.
I see i have said what Will said.. too lazy to scroll.. !
All the free publicity they’re giving him and the guy still calls Apple assholes…
What’s happening? Were the Mayan’s right after all and the world has ended without us noticing? I think this is the very first time ever I’ve read a negative discussion about Apple and not seen a demented fanboy jump in and defend the indefensible. Has Apple truly lost it’s magic touch?
Those cables look a bit flimsy anyway…