We do love products that only exist to circumvent the finer points of legislation (hello there, Aston Martin Cygnet), but even better are the ones that actually serve a purpose. To comply with the European Commission's insistence that all smartphones must have a microUSB connector, Apple is putting out a Euro-specific adapter for its new Lightning standard. It's turned up in the UK and French stores so far, setting you back £15 / €19 ($25) -- and we imagine it won't be long before some entrepreneurial soul starts buying them in bulk to sell to microUSB users Stateside.

Filed under: Cellphones

Apple appeases European lawmakers with Lightning-to-microUSB adapter originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.