“The latest iPhone and iPods include a USB-to-Lightning-connector cable, but you don’t get any sort of adapter for using the new devices with older accessories,” Dan Frakes reports for Macworld. “For that, you’ll need to turn to Apple’s $29 Lightning to 30-pin Adapter or $39 Lightning to 30-pin Adapter (0.2 m), which is the cable version.”

“The two adapters function identically,” Frakes reports. “Nearly a month after they were announced, and three weeks after the iPhone 5 itself hit the streets, both adapters are now available.”

I’ve been testing them for compatibility [with the following]:

• Speakers and audio docks
• Chargers and batteries
• Video
• iPod-out mode
• Microphones and other audio-input products

Frakes reports, “If you instead plan to embrace the Lightning connector and wait for third-party vendors to release Lightning-connector-equipped accessories, it’s a pretty safe bet that those products will be compatible for a while. Considering the 30-pin connector had a nine-year run, I suspect the Lightning connector will be standard on new iPhone, iPad, and iPod models—including the rumored iPad mini—for years to come.”

Much more in the full article here.