The cost of Apple-endorsed Lightning cables may fall if Macotakara is correct that Apple has reduced both the cost and minimum purchase volumes for MFi licenses.
The new deal was reportedly introduced last month, and would likely take some time to filter through into retail prices.
The MFi program is a licensing arrangement dating back to 2005, when it stood for Made For iPod. It now officially stands for Made For iPhone/iPod/iPad, and allows manufacturers access to the authentication chip as well as the right to use the MFi logo and describe the cables as certified.
Apple initially started generating warning messages for some non-certified cables, and later stopped some unofficial cables working at all. Some third-party cables reportedly get around this by using cracked chips that bypass the authentication check.
As ever, you can find the best deals on both certified and non-certified cables over at 9to5Toys, including a deal for ZAGG MFi cables in various colors for just $10 with free shipping.
