As far as *docks* (you know, the topic of discussion) are concerned, its even less of an issue – Apple’s devices are about the only place one can even say there is a standard. The connector itself is a small part of the issue for docks – not only do the connectors have to be compatible, the devices also need to fit. Standardisation in docks is *impossible* unless smartphones standardise the shape, size, and connector placement in their phone. (ie: it’s impossible) Even within most individual companies, connector placements and form factors vary wildly. This is why most docks are for one device only, even if the actual connector is standard.

Apple have been fairly set on a form factor & connector placement since the original iPod, and have been merely making things smaller and thinner along the way (excluding the iPad). This means they *can* have a universal dock, big enough to fit the older devices, but with inserts to make newer devices fit nicely. This is what they do – and what *only* they do. Is there *any* other manufacturer that has a forward compatible dock?

As implied by the name, the universal dock adapter is an adapter for the universal dock, which Apple produces, and which supports every iPod other than the first and second gen, and every iPhone. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB125G/C Other apple products with docks also employ the universal docking mechanism, as do the bulk of third party docks. But universal docks are bigger, and they’re uglier, so maybe people prefer the device specific ones.

>(Did you know the audio out is provided by a microphone in the base of the dock, which connects to an amplifier and then the audio out jack? It does.)

Okay, now you’re trolling. Firstly, the iPhone don’t necessarily make any noise while doing audio out, and furthermore, iPods could do audio out before they had speakers! In fact, just a few paragraphs later you provide the true mechanism for audio out – http://pinouts.ru/PortableDevices/ipod_pinout.s… – Pins 3 & 4 on the dock connector do audio out. Maybe you should read before you write.

In general I would suggest that you read before you buy, too, but your original purchase goes beyond that. Just *looking* at the dock tells you it’s not backwards or forwards compatible – it *can’t* be, by necessity of its form! (universal docks don’t have this form and thus *can* be compatible) The fact that these docks don’t implement the internal hardware to make them forward compatible for the 3 people worldwide that dremel away at the dock to fit is about as far from treating their customers like bullshit as you can get.

if you buy android you won't have to worry about a choice in docks or battery life, because you won't have either.

why are there ads on your blog?