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Report: Apple's Lightning authentication tech cracked
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NewsPoster
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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Oct 9, 2012, 10:12 AM
 
Third-party manufacturers are said to have cracked the authentication layer Apple builds into all of its new Lightning connectors for its newest iDevices. A new iPhone 5 dock is currently being sold through China-based iPhone5mod.com, representatives for which spoke with Mac Rumors, confirming that they had obtained cracked chips that bypass Apple's authentication functions. The third-party accessories currently on sale, though, reportedly still use authentic Lightning controller chips.

The maker of the new third-party dock has apparently secured a supply of original Lightning controller chips from Apple's supplier. These chips ensure that their devices will function with no difficulties, as they technically adhere to all of Apple's requirements. The cracked chips the manufacturer claims to have obtained, though, reportedly work just as well as the original chips. Should these reports bear out, that could mean a wave of unauthorized Lightning-compatible devices emerging at prices below what Apple offers. The authentication hardware in Apple's new, smaller Lightning adapters assists with the dynamic assignment of pin functions in the connector, tailoring the signal to the device to which it is connected. So far, Apple recognizes no other manufacturers as authorized to make Lightning-compatible accessories. The company is said, though, to be planning a manufacturer seminar at which it will lay out the rules regarding accessory development and determine which factories and companies will be authorized to produce Made For iPad/iPhone/iPod devices.
     
testudo
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Oct 9, 2012, 02:24 PM
 
The authentication hardware in Apple's new, smaller Lightning adapters assists with the dynamic assignment of pin functions in the connector, tailoring the signal to the device to which it is connected.
Um, no. The authentication hardware is Apple's way of making sure only those they bless (and who've paid royalties) make equipment and connectors that actually work. Oh, and they stuck some dynamic assignment stuff in there so they can pretend that it isn't all about keeping control.

Apple computer: All about open standards, unless it is something they control.
     
Mr. Strat
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Oct 9, 2012, 03:40 PM
 
I like the looks of that dock...and they found a way to make a piece of wire...cool looking.
     
bazaarsoft
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Oct 9, 2012, 08:51 PM
 
You guys are seriously going to double-down on the unproven "authentication" BS? One more time for MacNN: the chip is in the cable to accommodate the dynamic pin assignment. There is NO PROOF that there is any authentication going on.

Give it a rest...

(A post from trolltudo should be enough to clue you in...)
     
   
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