Rumors have abounded about a smaller dock connector for Apple's iPhone 5, leading iFans to wonder if their existing iAccesories will become obsolete. Speculations have focused on the possibility that Apple may offer an adapter to counter this issue, and a recent leak seems to confirm the same.

Follow us

"The Dock Connector Adapters will sell for approximately $10 each or three for $29, with Apple-branded new USB cables selling for $19 each," states the iLounge report. The adapter is expected to be sold either "individually and/or in a three-packs." Selling a three-pack option for $29 makes sense as most iPhone users usually own more than a single accessory. 

According to an iLounge report, Apple would be the exclusive vendor for the new dock connector adaptor.  So far, Apple has not been very forthcoming on the next-generation accessory details and the Cupertino-based firm has not shared the specification details with third-party developers. Reports also suggest that Apple "stopped approving third-party proposals for connector equipped accessories" in recent months.  

Tech gurus opine that Apple's alleged decision to maintain exclusive rights for the accessories could be a clever maneuver to dominate the market for both adapters and cables by limiting competition, as well as thwarting third-party accessory makers from hijacking its market share. The company did the same with its MagSafe connectors for MacBook laptops. Third-party solutions were prevented from foraying into Apple's lucrative territory thanks to licensing agreements and lawsuit threats.  

A reliable source noted that with this move, Apple could reap benefits "generating revenues of $100 million for every 10 million Dock Connector Adapters it sells for $10."  The source also divulged that Apple forecasts that it will touch the 10 million adapter sales mark by the end of 2012. However, whether Apple allows third-party developers to release alternatives eventually is anybody's guess.

Join Our Conversation

Smartphones

Former Nokia Team Jolla, Announces First Sailfish Powered Smartphone For Asia

Motorola XFon May Hit Verizon, Sprint Later This Year

More BlackBerry Devices On The Way, Says Sprint

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Update For Samsung Galaxy S3 Transform It Into Galaxy S4 (To Some Extent)

Tablet / Laptop / PC

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Hybrid Tablet-Ultrabook Now Available Starting At $1679

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Leaks In Benchmarks With Intel Inside

Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 8.0 Top Consumer Reports Rankings

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8-Inch Specs, Photo Leak Online

Gadgets

Recharge Your Phone In 20 Seconds With This Revolutionary Device

Ouya Will Be At E3 2013, But Not Where You Think

Next Microsoft Xbox To Sport Dashboard UI Update And Tile Changes

Google Media Streamer Hits FCC To Replace Nexus Q

OS / Software

Former Nokia Team Jolla, Announces First Sailfish Powered Smartphone For Asia

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Update For Samsung Galaxy S3 Transform It Into Galaxy S4 (To Some Extent)

iOS 7 To Come With Flickr, Vimeo Integration

Samsung Galaxy S4 'Google Edition' Will Be Available In U.S. Only?

Internet / Social Media

AT&T Promises Cellular Video Calls, Mobile Video Chat For All Customers

Flickr Boasts 'Spectacular' Redesign, Offers A Whopping 1TB Of FREE Storage

Download 40 GB In A Second: Researchers Set Up World's Fastest Wi-Fi Network In Germany

YouTube Shoppable Videos - Will Google Hit A New Jackpot?

What's App

Nokia Xpress Now Web App Announced For Asha Devices

Samsung Galaxy S4 App Contest Boasts $800,000 Total Prizes For Talented Devs

Intellicam App Brings First Hands-Free Camera Feature To Windows Phone 8

Seven New Apps Coming To Google Glass: Facebook, Twitter, And Evernote Included