[Krypton]

With the latest wave of iPods, Apple mandated the use of a special chip for accessories that allow video out through the Dock connector.

Is there any particular reason why no third parties appear to have created new compatible cables or docks? The crux of my anguish is having to pay £35 for a cable, where Apple is the only choice (yes, it now comes with a charger but I don't need another one )

[mduell]

Is there reason to believe Apple will license the chip?

[Krypton]

If they don't license it, then a fairly large number of accessories will cease to exist; I would have thought companies like Griffin would have something to say about this.

[Wiskedjak]

Yep. Not too happy about this either. Apple sticks a chip in the accessory and doubles the price? Sounds just a little monopolistic to me. They've even rendered their own peripherals incompatible with the latest iPods. I'd like to get a video cable as well, but I'm waiting for someone tonmake it work without Steve's blessing.

[imitchellg5]

Third parties are slowly coming out with Docks that are compatible, such as Polk Audio. I doubt we'll see cables that work though, unless it's XtremeMac.