Why isn't the iPod/iPhone/iPad connector using the magsafe design?
A more probable explanation is that even with a magnet the devices are light enough that a yank on the cable would send the device flying before the magnet connection came loose.
You're probably right that the physics of the magnet don't make it as useful. That makes me wonder how thoroughly Apple has investigated it.
Why couldn't they just only use the four pins included with USB? (although that would mean an end to the standardized dock connector)