Mikey Campbell
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.
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59 Comments
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?
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.