14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has reportedly released a new Power Adapter model for iPhone and iPod owners in Europe. The powering accessory is slimmer than the model currently employed by customers worldwide. According to TUAW, whose readers made the discovery, the new adapter supports pretty much all of Apple’s iPods and iPhones, including the second- and third-gen iPod shuffle, the fourth- and fifth-gen click-wheel iPod, and even the iPod mini.
“This USB adapter offers fast, efficient charging at home, office or while on the go,” the product’s description on the Apple (Norway) website reads. “The universal design means that it works all over the world using travel adapter kit from Apple (sold separately) [...] It is a compact and convenient way to charge your iPod or iPhone, and comes with an extra dock connector to USB cable. Just plug the adapter into a wall outlet and connect your iPhone or iPod to be recharged,” Apple explains. Key features of the device, as listed by the Cupertino-based electronics maker, include:
- Easy recharging on the go; - Extra dock connector to USB cable; - High speed for iPhone or iPod; - Operating worldwide with the Apple travel adapter kit (sold separately).
Apple recommends the new, slimmer adapter for “charging the iPhone or iPod while on the go or not connected to the computer.” The old one can be used for the same purposes just as well, in case you were wondering. There’s not much of a difference, except the new one is slimmer, therefore a bit more portable (better looking too, perhaps). In the box, Apple includes the USB-based power adapter and the much-needed contact anchoring USB cable.
Back in September 2008, Apple announced that, under certain conditions, the iPhone 3G ultracompact USB power adapter could cause “electric shock.” The company proceeded to recall all units from the United States, Japan, Canada and other territories. The Mac maker immediately introduced a replacement adapter marked by a distinctive green dot. At the time, American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu assured clients that Apple’s recall was a “minor speedbump,” which affected “only a small number of users.”