I think I can see why the hub is needed. No phantom power otherwise. Is that not how it goes? I don't know for sure because I have no i device, and my Android tablet only has a built-in condenser, and that thing is a bright ringing piece of **it. : )

Yeah, but the Rode iXY is a bit costly :) Plus, you might already have a mic that you use with other equipment. That's where this helps more. You don't need a separate "iPhone mic", you can just use any.