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Micro-USB isn’t smart or powerful enough for Apple.
So that’s why you won’t see the standardized plug in new iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
Here’s a summary of how engineer Rainer Brockerhoof explained Apple’s choice to The Loop, an Apple blog:
Apple’s new port supports an 8-pin connection, which is more powerful than Micro-USB.
Brockerhoof explained that the industry-standard Micro-USB plug only has 5 pins, which wouldn’t allow most dock-connector functions to work properly.
The new connector has the ability to carry “audio and serial transmit and receive”—in other words, it doesn’t quite do all the tricks that even Apple’s existing plug can do.
Basically, if Apple had chosen Micro-USB, the port would only be able to charge and sync the device, not transmit video signals or do other advanced functions.
There would also be issues with charging the iPad, since Micro-USB is relatively low-power. We’re sure Apple is going to introduce its newest connector on future iPads, and the pins on a Micro-USB port are just too small. Micro-USB also isn’t powerful enough to produce the strong power current that the iPad requires.
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