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Mobile Technology

Apple releases iPhone Micro USB Adapter to comply with EU standard

By Darren Quick
October 10, 2011
Apple releases iPhone Micro USB Adapter to comply with EU standard
The Apple iPhone Micro USB Adapter that is now available from the U.K. Apple Store
The Apple iPhone Micro USB Adapter that is now available from the U.K. Apple Store
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The Apple iPhone Micro USB Adapter that is now available from the U.K. Apple Store
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The Apple iPhone Micro USB Adapter that is now available from the U.K. Apple Store

To cut down on the amount of mobile phone chargers relegated to the garbage after a phone upgrade, in 2009 the European Commission reached a voluntary agreement with 14 major smartphone manufacturers who committed to providing a standardized charger based on the micro-USB connector that is compatible with all models of data-enabled mobile phones. Apple was one of the manufacturers that signed on to the agreement and has now delivered with the appearance of the Apple iPhone Micro USB Adapter in the company's U.K. online store.

With the plethora of iPhone accessories made specifically for Apple's proprietary dock connector, there was no way the company would ditch that in favor of a micro USB connector on the iPhone. Therefore an adapter is the obvious choice as it allows iPhone users to continue to enjoy their existing docks and accessories, while allowing Apple to comply with the European Commission's mandate for a common standard smartphone charger.

The Apple iPhone Micro USB Adapter will sync and charge all iPhone models from the iPhone 3G on. It costs GBP8 (approx. US$12.45) from the U.K. Apple Store but buyers will have to source their own micro USB cable.

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Mobile TechnologyAppleSmartphonesiPhoneChargerAdaptersmicro-USB
10 comments
Darren Quick
Darren Quick
Darren's love of technology started in primary school with a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong (still functioning) and a Commodore VIC 20 computer (not still functioning). In high school he upgraded to a 286 PC, and he's been following Moore's law ever since. This love of technology continues as Managing Editor of New Atlas.

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10 comments
BZD
What a lame \"solution\". Apparently Apple found a loophole in the EU regulations :-(
The whole idea behind the regulation is for the world to need less chargers and to make life easier for the consumers. The Apple \"solution\"achieves very little by A. requiring an adapter and B. it doesn\'t allow the charging of a non-Apple phone with an Apple charger (which was half of goal sought by the EU regulation).
Surely the Apple people could have done better if they wanted to :-(
Daryl Sonnier
They could have, I\'m sure. But that would relegate hundreds if not thousands of accessory products into uselessness. That would have been a worse decision. the optimal decision to keep the existing ecosystem of products is either add a micro-usb connector directly to the next generation iPhone or do what they did.
VoiceofReason
Yet another wonderous point in the legacy that was Steve Jobs. Half solutions that line Apple\'s pocket. No wonder I have yet to own a single Apple product ever.
Phillip Ramirez
disagree daryl. they would have easily had added an additional charge port on thier phones. and as we have already seen it isnt unusual for apple to make a usable device useless with an upgrade.
they would also goto the ITU standard of using a pdmi connector but we know that wont happen either.
VirtualGathis
This is cool, if it\'s included as part of the standard iphone box kit. I\'d like to see one in reverse to connect non apple devices to apple specific docks etc.
Marc-André Stinson
Shame on Apple!!!! For some fancy design reasons thy made whole idea behind this obsolete. I and all iPhone users i know would not have any problems with one more tiny opening in the iphone 4S. Don't forget, that an iphone 4 would make it a second workday without charge.
sara2816
ooh I like the mini adapter! much more convenient than the cubed adapter
morons
Voiceof(t)Reason:
You should check out the difference in the cables. Maybe you'll find out that the Apple cable does a little bit more than just charge simple data transfer. Half solution? It does more. And if you must have usb, then there's an adapter too. Pie for u.
Joal Taylor
The release of the iPhone 5 with an entirely different proprietary connector in favour of a micro USB connector makes the rationale of this article look a bit weak, to say the least.
"With the plethora of iPhone accessories made specifically for Apple's proprietary dock connector, there was no way the company would ditch that in favor of a micro USB connector on the iPhone"
It didn't stop them from ditching it in favour of a totally new connector!
pmshah
@Joal Taylor
How else will they make all the accessories collected for the previous model redundant ? This is one more way for Apple to fleece their customers. But then they deserve it. Buyers of a product for bragging rights alone deserve it since they have the money to waste.
I wonder what Apple is doing about the plethora of available Chinese accessories that connect to the so called proprietary connector ! How about a million more copyright suits, Apple?