Apple Store Debuts Lightning To Micro USB Adapter

Apple has added Lightning to micro USB port support to its online store. The new Lightning to micro USB adapter is compatible with the newest iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch device. The product can be used to sync as well as charge each type of device.

The move shows Apple’s willingness to extend its new adapters capabilities. In the past, a 30-pin dock connector to micro USB adapter was only available for sale in Europe. The new adapter, while listed in the United States, is also shown with EU specifications.

Apple had refused a micro USB adapter on its 30-pin connector because it wanted to stick with proprietary options that would protect its devices from third party device adapters. The move in the EU, however, allowed for less waste since old adapters from legacy devices could be adapted

Apple also chose to forgo micro USB adapters because they didn’t allow the company to make iOS devices as thin and light as they wanted.

Micro USB adapters are not as fast as Apple’s Lightning connectors; however, they are also not a standard type of connection option like 30-pin connectors had become over five years of iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch sales.

Apple sells an adapter to convert from Lighting to 30-pin so that most legacy accessories can still function, but some devices have become unavoidably incompatible with the newest iOS devices because of the Lightning connector. In some cases, users have become angered when video capabilities would not operate with the company’s lightning to 30-pin connector adapter.

Other adapters already offered by Apple include options for SD card readers, VGA connectors, Lightning to HDMI, Firewire, and eSATA.

The new micro USB adapter comes at a cost of $19.