Apple's Lighting to micro USB adapter is finally available in the United States.
The $19 accessory is in stock and connects to iPhone 5s, iPad minis, 5th-gen iPod Touches, 4th-gen iPads, and 7th-gen iPod Nanos.
The Cupertino-based company drew criticism from techies and customers alike for abandoning the traditional micro USB model and leaving countless accessories obsolete without an adapter. Apple, however, justified their decision by noting that it was a necessary step forward and that more efficient technology must replace the status quo.
According to Slash Gear, "the adapter showed up in Europe last month due to a legal issue where all European devices had to be compatible with micro USB in some fashion, and finally, a month-and-a-half later US users are greeted with a viable solution to their surplus problem of micro USB cables."
The $49 Lighting Digital AV Adapter has also been released by Apple, but is currently out of stock with a 2-3 week ship date. The company's official listing reads, "Put your slides, movies, photos, and everything else on your iPad with Retina display, iPad mini, iPhone 5, or iPod touch (5th generation) screen on an even bigger screen: your HDTV. The Lightning Digital AV Adapter mirrors exactly what you see on iPad with Retina display, iPad mini, or iPhone 5, so that everyone in the room can enjoy it on your widescreen TV, video projection screen, or other HDMI-compatible display. The Lightning Digital AV Adapter also supports video out for iPad with Retina display, iPad mini, iPhone 5, or iPod touch (5th generation)."