Always feel like you don't have enough
cables in your desk drawer? Apple has confirmed that a Lightning to HDMI cable
for its new iPhone 5 is in the works. This clears up some confusion over the
true output capabilities of the new Lightning connection standard. The iPhone 5
Lightning to HDMI cable will also work with latest iPad Mini, iPad 4 and iPod
touch 5th generation. This is one of the Lightning accessories that is required
by users to display things like photos, presentations, games and apps on big
screen displays that has HDMI or VGA port.
The new reversible syncing and charging solution for the iPhone 5, iPod touch, and iPod nano has replaced the tried and tested 30-pin cable used with legacy devices, such as the iPhone 4S. The Lightning connector is 80 percent smaller than the 30-pin connector, and that means less room is required to accomodate its corresponding jack. Its design also means that the iPhones, iPods and iPads that use it will be subject to less accidental damage — as anyone whose ever broken a 30-pin jack or plug will be relieved to hear.
Even though Apple sells a $29 Lightning port adapter, the new technology will mean obsolescence for some older accessories that relied on the 30-pin connector. "This adapter lets you connect devices with a Lightning connector to many of your 30-pin accessories," Apple said on its store page for the adapter, but then added a big caveat: "Video and iPod Out not supported."
