Apple restricts iPhone chargers artifically

A hacker recently uncovered the fact that secret resistors were placed on the data lines in connectors for individual Apple devices, including the iPhone and iPod range. When reverse engineered, it means iPhones won’t draw any juice until they detect 2.8V and 2V signals. At that particular voltage, the handsets will consume around 1 amp of juice but with the additional resistance, the voltage drops even more for the iPhone to accept 500mA instead. Here’s what the hacker has to say about this artificial restriction.

“Usually, device makers need to sign a confidentially agreement with Apple if they want to say their charger ‘works with iPhone/iPod,’ and they’re not allowed to talk about how the insides work. If you don’t put these secret resistors on the data lines too, you get the dreaded Charging is not supported with this accessory. We demonstrate how anyone can make their own chargers that work with iPhone 4, 3Gs, etc.”