“There’s no gaggle of satellite trucks or eager liveblogs documenting every moment, but one of the most important Apple-related events is going on right now in Shenzhen, China: the annual MFi (Made For iPhone/iPad/iPod) manufacturers’ conference,” Michael Rose reports for TUAW. “This multi-day meeting is the interface, so to speak, between Apple’s mobile products and the vast ecosystem of accessories, gadgets and peripherals that swarms around them.”

“Only MFi-licensed vendors can use the “Made for iPhone” logo on their packaging, and they are the only ones who get access to Apple’s internal documentation for interfaces and connectivit,” Rose reports. “With the advent of the Lightning connector across the iOS product line, this year’s conference is a key opportunity for vendors to get the intelligence they need for 2013 and beyond. In fact, reports last month revealed that Apple intends to control the supply of Lightning connector pins directly, rather than allowing third parties to make the parts themselves.”

Rose reports, “According to our source at the event, Apple intends to make compliance with its supplier code of conduct a condition of MFi licensing.”

Read more in the full article here.

[Attribution: AppleInsider. Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers "Fred Mertz" and "Sarah" for the heads up.]