iPhone Accessories

If you weren't into the illuminated Lightning cable with dock previously offered by iPhone5mod, they now have more official looking products in the works. The first third-party Lightning cable manufacturer will be launching its version of the Lightning USB cable and adapters at a discount price on November 3.

This will be a relief for iPhone 5 users who aren't interested in paying full price for an Apple cable. The basic connector cable starts at $9.90, undercutting the Apple Store by almost $10. Of course, shipping is not included and could add up quickly. Still, iPhone5mod offers several other products, including an iPhone 5 docking station.

Launch day lines at the Apple Store are a distant memory and now these retail locations are stocking a selection of iPhone 5 cases and screen protectors. For those looking to protect the aluminum back or glass screen on the latest iPhone from scratches and other damage, a wide variety of options are available.

Apple narrows the field down by selecting which lucky case manufacturers' products are granted wall space in the company's stores. When the iPhone 4 launched Apple made its own case for the first time, the iPhone bumper which was also compatible with the iPhone 4S. Bumper cases were even distributed for free to customers having antenna issues.

There's no shortage of things you can do with your iPhone or iPad these days. Now Griffin has released a brand new toy for remote control enthusiasts who happen to have an iOS device. The MOTO TC Monster is the second AppPowered vehicle launched by the company. This monster truck can be controlled directly on the touch screen with a free app.

Griffin previously released the HELO TC Assault helicopter, which is also app controlled from an iOS device. Unlike the MOTO, which uses Bluetooth to connect to the iPhone, the HELO uses a special Flight Deck adapter that beams infrared signals to the helicopter in flight.

Until now there haven't been any third-party Lightning accessories on the market. Apparently, it doesn't take long to clone the authentication chip embedded in Apple's new 8-pin connector. iPhone5mod has hit the market with a cable that does more than just connect your iPhone 5 or iPod touch 5G to the computer.

As you can see in the video above, the Flash Lightning Dock will hold the iPhone 5 upright to connect. The cool part is that as the iPhone is charging or syncing the cable animates its lights to show how much the battery is charged or that data is being transferred to the iOS device. Sure, it may be a gimmick, but it's not one that Apple is likely to manufacture.

The Apple Lightning connector launched alongside the iPhone 5 has several advantages over its 30-pin predecessor, that is unless you own a variety of older accessories that aren't compatible. Besides a smaller footprint and simpler, reversible operation, the Lightning connector has also proven to be difficult for third-party manufacturers to replicate. The current adapter sold by Apple retails for $29.

Apple could be working on an easier way to connect 30-pin dock accessories and the iPhone 5 if a patent revealed by Apple Insider means anything. The ability to wirelessly send data to any accessory would improve the functionality of the iPhone 5 with previous-generation docks.