The engineer who beat Apple by creating the primary USB-C iPhone has now advanced his work right into a telephone case that switches the Lightning port on older iPhones to USB-C. Ken Pillonel’s workout plans venture goals to battle deliberate obsolescence by giving individuals one much less cause to interchange their previous iPhones, and builds on his viral mod from 2021 by bettering help for quick charging.
“This time, I’m turning that one-off DIY mod into an actual product you possibly can personal,” Pillonel said within the description of his workout plans YouTube video. “This isn’t only a hack anymore; it’s the most important venture I’ve ever carried out.”
The iPhone case is on the market for “most fashions” beginning immediately by way of obsoless.com, with pricing set between $45-$55. Options embody help for MagSafe charging, knowledge transfers to computer systems, CarPlay, and 9V quick charging. In Pillonel’s earlier 2021 USB-C hack, quick charging was solely activated if the cable was going through the precise approach, however now quick charging is supported regardless of the way it’s plugged in. Different options out there to Lightning and USB-C will not be supported, nonetheless.
“I assure the next: Quick charging, knowledge transfers to computer systems, and CarPlay. Anything is just not formally supported and also you’ll have to take away the case to make use of it, sadly,” Pillonel informed The Verge. “It’s because Apple has locked down the adapters for Lightning telephones, in order that they will earn a fee on all adapters offered.”
The telephone case additionally consists of an additional SIM card storage slot that’s handy for travelling abroad, and a lanyard attachment. It’s out there in darkish grey at launch, and Pillonel says that extra coloration choices can be out there in September.
Pillonel has beforehand modified different Lightning-based merchandise to have USB-C ports, together with AirPods and AirPods Max. Just like the commercially available cases for AirPods that Pillonel launched in October final 12 months, the iPhone circumstances are designed to stop customers from having to hold round an additional cable or USB-C adapter.