Apple to Release Micro-USB Adapter for iPhone in the UK

[Wiley John Wright]

Last year the European Union decided that all new cellular telephones should be able to recharge using a standard micro-USB adapter. By agreeing to use a universal charger, the EU hopes to cut down on e-waste and eliminate the need for cell phone manufactures to include a new charging unit with every phone that is sold.

Instead of redesigning the latest iPhone, however, Apple has instead chosen to create a micro-USB dongle to comply with the new law. This lets Apple avoid any nasty fines while at the same time allows them to maintain compatibility with a wide array of third-party accessories already available throughout the world.

Apple’s micro-USB adapter will cost £8.00 (about $12) when it ships October 14th. No word yet if it’s coming to the US any time soon. It’s also not yet clear if this device will do anything other than charge an iPhone. Hopefully, it will let you sync your iDevice at the very least.

According to the Apple Store in the UK, “The Apple iPhone Micro USB Adapter allows you to use third-party micro USB cables and chargers to sync or charge your iPhone. Simply connect your iPhone to the Micro USB Adapter, then connect a micro USB cable or charger to the Micro USB Adapter.”

Apple has a long history of using propriety connections with their devices. Who can forget the square HDI-30 SCSI adapters that Apple used on first-generation PowerBook models. Thankfully, SCSI is now a thing of the past. Hopefully, this new adapter will help Apple cut down on e-waste as well.

Source: Apple

[spazturtle]

It’s also not yet clear if this device will do anything other than charge an iPhone.

"sync or charge your iPhone" I think that tells you that it lets you sync you iPhone.

Also it probably won't come out in the USA, the cables Apple sell cost a lot more so why would Apple give people an alternative? The only reason they are doing it in the EU is because they have to by law.

I might buy this and have it connected to my divice the whole time.

I wonder what would happen if we connected a pen drive via a usb to micro usb adapter?

[The Man of Sand]

I thinj dongle is a funny word, but id pay for one of these things in America

[ensigma]

Probably not coming to the US but I plan on getting a couple anyhow.

[MikeFez]

I wonder what would happen if we connected a pen drive via a usb to micro usb adapter?

The same thing that happens when you connect one to the USB camera kit... which is nothing, except if you jailbreak. USB Keyboards on the other hand...

[thekirbylover]

You'll probably be able to buy these outside of the UK by getting it from a UK Apple reseller that ships worldwide.
I won't buy one unless we can use iTunes and the jailbreak apps with it. And even if it does, I'm still scared I'll lose it easily.
Also, unless the next iPhone's going to be as thin as everyone is guessing, a Micro USB port should be fine next to the dock connector.

Edit: The 4S has the same design as the 4, so why Apple didn't add a built-in Micro USB port, I don't know.

[jiniej]

Well NOW what? It WASNT THAT THIN...

[d_animality]

"sync or charge your iPhone" I think that tells you that it lets you sync you iPhone.

Also it probably won't come out in the USA, the cables Apple sell cost a lot more so why would Apple give people an alternative? The only reason they are doing it in the EU is because they have to by law.

I might buy this and have it connected to my divice the whole time.

I wonder what would happen if we connected a pen drive via a usb to micro usb adapter?

it will increase your iphone capacity (act as external memory) .. lol kidding

[Cheesey123]

So hang on in the uk apple won't be giving you a new charger with each phone because of the eu law on waste but then charging you £8.00 for an adapter so you can charge it by some other phone adapter?

[duromega]

"sync or charge your iPhone" I think that tells you that it lets you sync you iPhone.

Also it probably won't come out in the USA, the cables Apple sell cost a lot more so why would Apple give people an alternative? The only reason they are doing it in the EU is because they have to by law.

I might buy this and have it connected to my divice the whole time.

I wonder what would happen if we connected a pen drive via a usb to micro usb adapter?

Nothing will happen, trust me

I'm gonna have this adapter soon 

[Squeaky369]

I'll be buying a couple, my cat like to chew on iPhone cables for some reason... This $12 investment will save me $30 if they chew through one... They don't chew the black cables, just the white ones; they must be racist towards white cables.

[golf4life80]

This looks pretty nice, I'll try and get one over here.

[Cid6.7]

Heh hehheh heh You said Dongle..he heheheh

Yeah Dongle yeah yeah

Sorry had a beevus & butthead moment..

[fungusfeet]

Apple just made a mockery of that EU ruling there, you still cannot charge an iphone using a micro usb cable which is supposed to be the law, you have to buy an adaptor to make it work. Ridiculous.