Never miss an update Follow AppleInsider
Friday, November 02, 2012, 05:04 pm
Apple brings $19 Lightning to Micro USB adapter to U.S. stores
Alongside the iPad mini, Apple on Friday introduced the Lightning to micro USB adapter, a tiny dongle first available in Europe, to the U.S. market.
Initially built and released in tandem with the iPhone 5 in Europe to fulfill the European Commission's regulation that all smartphones sold in the region be micro USB compatible, the $19 adapter has finally landed in North America.
Previously, those iPhone, iPod and now iPad users needed to buy the component through third-party resellers or directly from an Apple Store in Europe if they wanted to charge and sync their devices via micro USB. As there is no official standard in the U.S., manufacturers offer their products in a variety of charging methods, causing many consumers to build up a stockpile of various cables and chargers. The Lightning to micro USB adapter looks to do away with at least one of those cables.
Apple's adapter is compatible with the iPhone 5, fifth-generation iPod touch, seventh-generation iPod nano, fourth-generation iPad, and iPad mini. According to the company's website, the dongle is able to both charge and sync devices, though it is unlikely that audio line out is supported as the Lightning protocol is completely digital and would require an embedded digital-to-analog converter to function.
The $19 adapter can be purchased directly from the Online Apple Store, with shipments available to ship in one to three days.
On Topic: General
- In-cell touch panel tech projected to remain a unique differentiator for Apple devices
- Apple patent chief departs amid major ongoing IP lawsuits
- Steve Jobs discusses his legacy in rare 1994 video interview
- Solar charging stations with Apple Lightning & 30-pin connectors come to New York
- Briefly: Jony Ive's title at Apple shortened to 'SVP of Design'
Previous Comments View All
slick and compact.
The 30-pin adapter is receiving lots of complaints that it will not work with iDevices that have a case because the lightning part is not long enough. Will this USB adapter work with cases?
Case designers who are authorized were given the specifications to work their designs around. The onus in on them to fix their designs.
What is the usage for this adapter?
You stick the lightning end into your iPad or iPhone, and then you connect the Micro USB part to what? A Micro USB power supply or something? What's wrong with the Apple power supply?
I'm only asking, because I don't think that I have any devices or things that uses Micro USB. I might have a camera that has it, but I'm not sure.
Maybe this will help the stock ... this unending slide is getting a little unbearable.
[...] it is unlikely that audio line out is supported as the Lightning protocol is completely digital and would require an embedded digital-to-analog converter to function.
Am I missing something here? Three out of the four computer audio interfaces I own connect to the computer via USB. The D-A conversion occurs in the audio device, NOT in the cable. Why would audio peripherals for iDevices be any different?
Maybe this will help the stock...
How? MicroUSB is meaningless to tech and SHOULD be meaningless to everyone.
What is the usage for this adapter?
It's for people who have a Micro USB cable and an iOS device with a Lightning port. You may not have many Micro USB devices or cables, but I have a ton. Cameras, headphones, hard drives, more hard drives, even more hard drives...
In many cases, swapping out the cable is difficult. So you could use a really long, really short, or multi-headed Micro USB cable and connect it to different stuff, but when you wanted to connect it to an iOS device, just put this adapter on.
I'm just curious why the micro chip is needed to charge the device, I will by the story for dynamic pin switching for data, video, etc. but just charging the device it is a way too much. So lets be honest Apple is using the security chip to charge extra for the cable, and enough with the hypocrisy that this is technology driven only. It is technically possible to charge the device without microchip. :)
The iPhone.
A beautiful, minimalist piece of equipment: plugged into twenty-six different joined connectors.
And Apple really needs to make these things available on launch day. Along with docks, cases, and covers.
Latest Apple Headlines
-
Apple patent chief departs amid major ongoing IP lawsuits
~2 hours ago -
Apple TV update adds HBO Go, WatchESPN & more channels
~3 hours ago -
Leaked schematics reveal what case makers expect Apple's low-cost iPhone & 'iPhone 5S' will look like
~4 hours ago -
Apple wins $30 million iPad contract from LA school district
~4 hours ago -
Inside iOS 7: iBeacons enhance apps' location awareness via Bluetooth LE
~7 hours ago - more...
Want to write for AppleInsider? Submit your application now!
| Model | White | Black | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (WiFi only) | |||
| 16GB WiFi |  |
$329.00 | $329.00 |
| 32GB WiFi | |
$429.00 | $429.00 |
| 64GB WiFi | |
$529.00 | $529.00 |
| iPad mini (WiFi + 4G) | |||
 |
 |
 |
|
| 16GB 4G White | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 |
| 32GB 4G White | $559.00 | $539.99 | $559.00 |
| 64GB 4G White | $659.00 | $659.00 | $629.99 |
| 16GB 4G Black | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 |
| 32GB 4G Black | $559.00 | $539.99 | $539.99 |
| 64GB 4G Black | $659.00 | $659.00 | $629.99 |
Lowest Prices Anywhere!
| Model | Price | You Save |
|---|---|---|
| 11"1.3GHz/4GB/128GB | $964.18* | $34.82 |
| 11" 1.3GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,061.18* | $37.82 |
| 11" 1.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,255.18* | $43.82 |
| 11"1.7GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,206.68* | $42.32 |
| 11"1.7GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,400.68* | $48.32 |
| 11" 1.7GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,691.68* | $57.32 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/4GB/128GB | $1,061.18* | $37.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/4GB/256GB | $1,255.18* | $43.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,352.18* | $46.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,643.18* | $46.82 |
| 13" 1.7GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,497.00* | $52.00 |
| 13" 1.7GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,788.68* | $60.32 |
* price with Promo Code:
APPLEINSIDER01
|
||
| Click for even more configurations | ||
The 30-pin adapter is receiving lots of complaints that it will not work with iDevices that have a case because the lightning part is not long enough. Will this USB adapter work with cases?