"If you bought yourself an iPhone 5, and are looking for a cheap, third-party lightning adapter to save a couple of bucks, you might want to hold off. There's an authenticator chip in the official adapters, and third-party adapters probably won't work without it." - Andrew C (✓) from Bookmarklet

" If it's doing a "smart" function like pin assignment or something crazy like that, then it definitely is going to be mandatory. Apple has said it's a "smart" connector but it is horrifying that just a basic power charging/sync cord like this requires additional complexity." - on the other hand, I understand the connector is reversible (you don't have to figure out which side is up), so it does need smarts to do pin reassignment. - Andrew C (✓)

I don't like this practice. On the TouchPad, in order for it to charger, I have to use the cable and charger that came with the item. It's so dumb scrounging around to find that one cable, when we have 5 other miniUSB cables. I can't even charge it through the computers. Already, I can't use a non-Apple USB charger in my car for the iThings, - Anika

I admit, it's pretty evil even for Apple. - Piaw Na

Yeah, but a reversible connector would be pretty sweet... It's amazing how many USB cables never even try to indicate which side is up. - Andrew C (✓)

Eh? You can't use a non-Apple USB charger in the car? Why not? I use only retractable USB sync/charger cables in the car (along with a cigarette lighter adapter) and they work fine. - ronin

one of many reasons i avoid Apple hardware. - Hieronymous Boosh

I have 3 USB plugs for the car lighter and I can't charger either iPod with them. I get a message saying that since it's not a Apple compliant cable, it won't charge. And the iPod dock in the car doesn't charge the stupid thing either. Dumb. - Anika

At nearly $700 per share, Apple can't be wrong...? [ETA: I bet it hits $750 by Thanksgiving.] - Julian