Apple's 30-pin connector which the company used in its portable iDevices for around a decade gave way to the smaller 8-pin Lightning connector, which was first seen in September this year in the latest iPhone 5. Initially released in Europe, Apple has now released the Lightning to Micro USB adapter in the U.S. for $19. 

Follow us

The latest iPod Touch, iPod Nano, iPad mini, and the Retina iPad also have the Lightning connector. Many iFans with older iDevices, which use the 30-pin connector, were disgruntled as the new series of iDevices would now require new accessories or an adapter to be made compatible with older accessories.

Apple had to release the adapter with the iPhone 5 in Europe to fulfil the European Commission's regulation that all smartphones sold in Europe should be compatible with micro USB.

Till now, customers with iDevices using the Lightning port had to buy the adapter from third-party resellers or directly from an Apple Store in Europe if they wanted to charge and sync their devices using a 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," reported AppleInsider.com.

The Lightning to micro USB adapter is compatible with the latest iPhone 5, fifth-generation iPod touch, seventh-generation iPod nano, and the fourth-generation iPads, the iPad mini, and the Retina iPad.

"The Lightning to Micro USB Adapter lets you connect an iPhone, iPad, or iPod with Lightning connector to micro USB cables and chargers to sync and charge your device," states Apple's Web site. 

Consumers can buy the Lighting to Micro USB Adapter for $19 directly from the Online Apple Store.

Join Our Conversation

Smartphones

Former Nokia Team Jolla, Announces First Sailfish Powered Smartphone For Asia

Motorola XFon May Hit Verizon, Sprint Later This Year

More BlackBerry Devices On The Way, Says Sprint

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Update For Samsung Galaxy S3 Transform It Into Galaxy S4 (To Some Extent)

Tablet / Laptop / PC

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Hybrid Tablet-Ultrabook Now Available Starting At $1679

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Leaks In Benchmarks With Intel Inside

Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 8.0 Top Consumer Reports Rankings

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8-Inch Specs, Photo Leak Online

Gadgets

Recharge Your Phone In 20 Seconds With This Revolutionary Device

Ouya Will Be At E3 2013, But Not Where You Think

Next Microsoft Xbox To Sport Dashboard UI Update And Tile Changes

Google Media Streamer Hits FCC To Replace Nexus Q

OS / Software

Former Nokia Team Jolla, Announces First Sailfish Powered Smartphone For Asia

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Update For Samsung Galaxy S3 Transform It Into Galaxy S4 (To Some Extent)

iOS 7 To Come With Flickr, Vimeo Integration

Samsung Galaxy S4 'Google Edition' Will Be Available In U.S. Only?

Internet / Social Media

AT&T Promises Cellular Video Calls, Mobile Video Chat For All Customers

Flickr Boasts 'Spectacular' Redesign, Offers A Whopping 1TB Of FREE Storage

Download 40 GB In A Second: Researchers Set Up World's Fastest Wi-Fi Network In Germany

YouTube Shoppable Videos - Will Google Hit A New Jackpot?

What's App

Nokia Xpress Now Web App Announced For Asha Devices

Samsung Galaxy S4 App Contest Boasts $800,000 Total Prizes For Talented Devs

Intellicam App Brings First Hands-Free Camera Feature To Windows Phone 8

Seven New Apps Coming To Google Glass: Facebook, Twitter, And Evernote Included