Earlier rumors that Apple is coming out with a reversible USB Lightning connector are turning out to be false, according to a third-party manufacturer of iPhone components.
Rumors of a two-way reversible Lightning connector that iPhone owners can plug in whichever orientation first surfaced online when Apple follower and serial leaker Sonny Dickson first mentioned it on Twitter. This seemed to coincide with earlier patent applications filed by Apple for a new connector that can provide "reversible or dual orientation USB plug connectors."
However, Moca.co, a website for a components manufacturer that claims to be Made for iPhone (MFi) certified, states that Apple's primary Lightning connector supplier says the iPhone maker will not include reversible Lightning connectors with the upcoming release of the iPhone 6 in September.
"We are informed by the Official Appointed Manufacturer of Apple that the new Reversible USB Cable will not be released together with upcoming iPhone 6 and Apple has not placed any order with them yet," writes Moca.co. "Apple fans will not be able to get the MFi version of this revolutionary cable from Apple this year but that is not the end of the story."
The manufacturer adds that it has already gotten hold of the official design for the connectors and is now ready to start production. It is also accepting pre-orders for the Lightning connectors and the new 5W 2A USB power adapter for the iPhone and iPad, which can generate two times more power than current iPhone adapters.
Moca.co does not provide reasons as to the delay in the release of the new connectors, but the problem seems to have stemmed from the fact that Apple's patent for a reversible USB connector may put the iPhone maker in legal hot waters because an existing patent for the technology already exists. California-based company UltraTek already holds the patent for a "user-friendly USB male connector which is not polarized, not keyed" and can be used to "plug into the USB female connector of the host computer either way." UltraTek currently sells its patented connectors through a variety of online retailers. Third-party accessory vendor Truffol also sells a $9.99 non-MFi certified reversible USB Lightning connector.
Apple may, however, jump through the legal hoops with a second patent that improves upon UltraTek's technology. The second filing is for a reversible USB connector with a "deflectable tongue" that can flex to fit in a USB port in whatever orientation.
