The Apple fanboy next to you is squealing with delight, but not everyone is as excited at the annoucement of the new iPhone 5. You see, one of its new features is an unwelcome change for many hotels, gyms and other health and hospitality destinations.
Along with a bigger screen and a better camera, the just-announced Apple iPhone 5 features a redesigned power and data cord connector. Dubbed the "Lightning Connector," it's smaller than the 30-pin connector that's standard on iPhones and iPads now, plus it's reversible and more user-friendly. All signs point to the new Lighting connector being better overall for consumers, but hotels and gyms everywhere are reeling.
The Wall Street Journal reports that people who work in hotels and gyms are less than excited about Apple's recent switch-up. Since iPhone connectors are becoming more and more common attached to alarm clock docks in hotel rooms and hanging from workout equipment in the gym, Apple's change-up might mean a vast and expensive overhaul of equipment.
From WSJ.com:
"Oh God," groaned Michael Mueller, chief executive of Dallas-based hotel chain NYLO Hotels LLC, after learning of the new iPhone dock connector from a reporter Wednesday afternoon.Mr. Mueller said he has outfitted just about all of his 600 hotel rooms with clock radios that have iPhone docks at a cost, in his most recent order, of about $115 apiece. Now he says he will have to decide whether or not to replace all those radios and whether to pick the new or the old iPhone dock for the clock radios he plans to order for more than 400 rooms he has under construction.
Of course, Apple knew trading the 30-pin connector for a lighting connector would cause problems. So they prepared by making $29 30-pin-to-Lightning adapters available in stores with this week's release of the iPhone 5. That means hotels would be able to stick to their current gear and either rely on travelers to bring their own adapters, or provide them in each room (a still-pricey endeavor, considering they're likely to be yanked from rooms by sticky-fingered travelers).
For now, it seems there isn't going to be an easy solution that keeps everyone — including hoteliers, iPhone 5 travelers and guests with older iPhones — happy and connected. I'm eager to see what happens as more and more people transition to Apple's Lightning connector.
(Images: Sony RDP-X500IP Speaker Dock System Tech Test Lab, Apple)
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I'd like to have more sympathy but it seems excessive to spend $69,000 outfiting hotel rooms with device-specific alarm clocks. I do appreciate the growing number of hotel rooms that have USB charging ports available. I'm fine with a basic alarm clock. Give me a USB charging port or a standard electrical outlet close enough to the bed/night table and I'll choose for myself how I get up on time.
Bluetooth speakers. Problem solved.
I guarantee that before the end of the year, you're going to be able to buy generic adapters for about $3 on Amazon.
Since I don't use an iPhone or an iPod (I use other brands), I couldn't care less. I always bring my docks with me.
The adapters don't support audio or video output, so they'll be worthless on clock radio docks. Bluetooth might be the best option.
They should have invested in speakers with 3.5mm plug ins instead of 30 pin proprietary apple docks.
A smart hotelier would invest in airplay speakers for the rooms. Bluetooth is even better because it's universal, but most people don't know how to use the damn things. Because these speakers don't have docking ports (and they shouldn't because of obsolescence), the hotels should also designate dedicated charging stations in the rooms. Most people travel with their chargers anyway. Just put a neat tray with wire management and an outlet near the bed. FUTURE PROOF!
@SocialCow:
I am an Apple fan, iPhone4 owner and I totally agree with you. Although I think the iPhone products are great, it's the hotel's own fault for investing in supporting a single platform and proprietary connector. Bluetooth or 3.5mm connectivity (or both) to speakers is completely adequate.
>The adapters don't support audio or video output,
Incorrect. They support audio, but not video. So for iPhone 5 users this'll be a non-issue. They'll just travel with an adapter.
No interface lasts forever. Same as it ever was.