Having Problems Getting That Cable to Connect With Your iPhone 4? You are not Alone!

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.tipb.com/2010/08/14/iphone-ipad-case-work-cable/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheIphoneBlog+(TiPb:+iPhone,+iPad,+iPod)' target='_blank'>http://www.tipb.com/2010/08/14/ipho...ne,+iPad,+iPod)</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Why won't my iPhone or iPad case work with this cable? is one of the questions we're being asked a lot lately. A naked iPhone can pretty much fit any sync, charge, or media cable you connect it with at home, at work, or on the go. When you start introducing some types of cases, however, and add in different kinds of cables - all bets are off."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1282152177.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb; margin-left: 100px; margin-right: 100px;" /></p><p>I ran into this problem with my iPhone 4, the cable wouldn't stay connected unless I was using the specific cable that came with the iPhone 4. Kind of annoying as this meant my days of just grabbing any cable were over if I wanted to use it with my iPhone 4 when it was in a protective case. If you read the article, you can also pick up one of these cables at 50% off via TiPb. Well, I guess you don't have to actually read the article, you can just scroll down to the part about the deal on a cable if you so desire.</p>

[kerrins]

I can't tell you how much I prefer a mini USB cable over the iPhone 4G cable. First of all, I could pick one up for $3 instead of $30. But no matter which one I used, it always just slid right in. Much easier to use.

[Sven Johannsen]

There are of course trade offs to that mini USB option. Doubt you'd be able support that component video and audio output cable, or control an RF transmitter module with the four pins of a mini USB plug. Still, I have an HP Pocket PC that has two connectors on the bottom, one proprietary, one mini USB. Guess two connectors would be aesthetically displeasing though, like a slot to put some sort of SD card in.

My bigger peeve is the mutual exclusivity of cases and any other add-ons. Just got my free iPhone 4 bumper. Using it though immediately killed the use of my iPhone dock, TomTom car kit, several cables, and most any device featuring an iPhone dock. No good way around this that I see, but it is still annoying. I suppose I could use the case as a cost saving measure, allowing me to avoid spending money on iPhone parapenalia.