Apple’s iPhone 5 connector to shrink, making it incompatible with many accessories

The iPod and iPhone have shrunk dramatically since both first debuted, but one thing has largely remained the same: the 30-pin connector port at the base of the devices. But now that port looks like it, too, will be getting smaller, and that could be a big problem for long-time Apple fans.

As we reported in February, rumours have been abundant that Apple will be shrinking the 30 pin connector port down to a 19 pin version with the release of the new iPhone. Now, it seems that Reuters has confirmed this news with two sources, making it look pretty likely that we'll all have to buy new speakers, docks and car chargers.

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The reason for the change, according to Reuters' sources, is to make room for the headphone port, which is moving from the top of the device to the bottom. Due to the increasingly slim nature of the iPhone, there was no way to fit the headphone port next to a 30-pin connector port. As The Verge points out, though, the iPod Touch already uses a similar configuration but with the 30-pin port.

Industry analysts seem confident that Apple will want to appease those who want to get a new iPhone 5 but also keep older accessories they've invested in, like some sort of adapter. But the reality is that many people will be purchasing brand new accessories for the device, and manufacturers are preparing for a boom, The Telegraph reports.

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Despite this change that may aggravate thousands of eager Apple fans, there are reports that the demand for this latest iPhone may be 'unprecedented,' according to a survey from ChangeWave Research. A survey of over 4,000 mostly North American consumers showed that 14 per cent said they'd be "very likely" to buy the new iPhone and 17 per cent were "somewhat likely," which is higher than the demand for any previous model has been. It is also higher than the demand for smartphones from competitors, like the recently released Samsung Galaxy S III.

A firm release date hasn't been set, but rumours are suggesting that we'll see it go on sale sometime in October.