Third-party Lightning connector products surface as manufacturers report cracking Apple’s authentication chip

A new iPhone 5 dock being sold through China-based iPhone5mod.com could be the first third-party product to ship with Apple’s new Lightning connector. Earlier reports indicated that accessory manufacturers would have trouble producing Lightning-compatible products due to a unique authentication chip Apple is using in the new standard. According to reports from M.I.C Gadget and MacRumors, which spoke with representatives of the company, the dock and cable from iPhone5mod are actually using chips obtained from Apple’s suppliers. They also provide all the same functionality. However, the company hinted cracked authentication chips are available and working:

We spoke with representatives of iPhone5mod, who informed us that they are currently using original Lightning controller chips from Apple’s supplier, ensuring proper functionality… iPhone5mod did, however, inform us that they have also obtained cracked chips that bypass Apple’s authentication functions and that the cracked chips are working just as well as the original chips

@JordanKahn Hi, our iphone5mod site is down due to traffic overload, we are upgrading the server now, be back up very soon


iPhone5mod (@iphone5mod) October 09, 2012

The company is currently selling the product in two pieces: the iPhone 5 dock and Lightning cable for $19,90 each, or you can buy both as a package for $39.90:

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The iPhone 5 Flash Lightning Dock comes in 2 parts. A classic dock for iPhone 5 and an illuminated Lightning Cable. Charge and sync your iPhone 5 with the iPhone 5 Dock. Your iPhone sits upright in the dock as it syncs or charges, so it’s perfect for a desk or countertop. It comes included with a specially made Lightning Cable that has an intelligent power managements system built in. You can actually see the flow of current going into your iPhone 5.

At the beginning of this month, iLounge reported Apple is making major changes to its “Made For iPad/iPhone/iPod (MFi)” policies that will see all third-party manufacturers go through a new approval process for Lightning connectors. The new process is something the report said would not kick in until November. As for iPhone5Mod, Apple has been quick to issue take down notices for many of its past products.