Vijay works at Top-Tech-Outlet and today contacted me with some interesting news on the new iPhone 5 and iOS7 launch. It appears that Apple have stepped up their MFi program and if you’re a reseller of Apple compatible products you need to be aware of what Apple are telling your customers.
Apple steps up their ‘MFi’ program for unauthorized charging devices sold on Marketplaces
As part of the team that operates the Top-tech-outlet on Amazon, we currently sell a wide range of consumer electronics as well as Certified MFi accessories for Apple devices.
The MFi program by Apple ensures that all devices with either 30 pin / lightning connectors are first tested then approved for the device manufacturer to use the MFi logo on their packaging. Of course there is a premium to pay for access to this service hence MFi approved accessories costing more then the cheaper un-approved imports from Asia.
Since the release of the new iPhone 5s and 5c alongside iOS7, Apple has seriously put more focus behind this. When un-authorized device is plugged in the following message is displayed on screen:
With the enormous amount of connector accessories for Apple products sold on both Amazon and eBay, this will of course become a positive selling point for approved product sellers and a serious negative for those selling the cheaper imported versions.
It raises the question that will an Apple product owner really risk plugging in an unauthorized accessory bought cheaply from Amazon/eBay into their very valuable and expensive product? Especially now that Apple is putting a message on the screen when plugged in. Will consumers really want to use a charge or sync cable that could either not function properly and potentially even short the phone due to voltage discrepancies.
As an authorized seller of MFi accessories buy confidently at Top-Tech-Outlet. All our charge or sync devices for Apple products are MFi approved by Apple.
2 Responses
No wonder the EU want to standardise on the micro usb socket for all devices.
I agree….why would I risk plugging in a cheap / dodgy device into my expensive iPhone! Worth spending a little more on a approved accessory and being confident Apple have actually checked and tested the product!
I recently bought an MFi approved Mophie product from Amazon rather than going for the 100s of cheaper un-approved on offer! My partner has a Samsung and knowing that a manufacturer like Mophie conforms to MFi gives me confidence in buying equivalent products they produce for Samsung!
There are so many blogs on the Net about cheap accessories damaging their Apple products! I SAY NO THANKYOU!