The inclusion of a authentication chip in the cables Lighting It could only mean one thing: Apple wants to control the accessories that we connect to the iPhone 5 and for that, we have to buy them from them. It is an option to limit the emerging market for accessories from China whose prices are only around a couple of euros and, incidentally, make more cash.
Although there are still few accessories that make use of the Lighting connector, the first counterfeits of the original cable are beginning to appear in different stores. We have the example in DealExtreme that offers a cable similar to Apple but that only charges the terminal and does not synchronize it due to the absence of the authentication chip.
The price is also higher. We have gone from buying cables for a couple of euros to having to pay almost 12 euros for one replica that does not offer the same functionalities than the original cable.
Still, is a cheaper alternative than Apple's and it allows to have a second cable to leave it next to the bedside table and charge the iPhone 5 while we sleep.
More information - Apple wants to be the sole distributor of the adapter for the MiniDock
Buy – Cheap Lighting Cable for iPhone 5