Apple appears to be not only synchronizing all of its products, but is also doing so with the accessories for these products. On Thursday, Apple released a shorter 0.5 meter Lightning to USB cable for all of its updated iOS devices, including the current iPhone 5, fifth generation iPod Touch, iPod Nano, iPad mini, and 4th generation iPad.

This is not the first time that Apple is offering users a shorter cable length option, with the company introducing a shorter 0.5 meter Thunderbolt cable just last month. The shorter Lightning to USB cable provides the same function as the longer 1 meter cable, but gives users the option free up clutter in tight spaces behind or near a desk or table.

However, there appears to be no change in price for the shorter cable, coming in at $19, the same price of the 1m length. It likely does not cost Apple anything to produce and ship the shorter cables, making this newer cable length entirely a choice of convenience for users instead of changes in functionality.

Alongside the shortened Lightning to USB cable, Apple also introduced a tweaked version of its current In-Ear Headphones with Mic and Remote. The tweak, like the shortening of the Lightning to USB cable does not change the functionality of the headphones at all, and instead adds the same rounded remote design on the EarPods, which are standard on the iPhone and iPod.

The new remote design, pictured on the left, is slightly more rounded than the previous design and is easier to click. It is also slightly bigger in size and higher up in the headphone cord in order to provide for clearer recordings and calls. The price of the In-Ear Headphones with Mic and Remote remains at $79 and is still a viable option for users who are looking for headphones of slightly better quality than the EarPods. Apple’s 0.5 meter Lightning to USB cable as well as the tweaked In-Ear Headphones with Mic and Remote are now both available for purchase online.

{Via MacRumors}

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency seized a massive shipment of counterfeit Lightning connectors and USB cables and adapters in Anchorage, Alaska several days ago. This was one of the larger counterfeit shipments that the CBP discovered, and identified its origin as a manufacturer in China. According to Frank Falcon, a CBP spokesperson, the knock off Lightning connectors looked very similar to the genuine Apple connectors, with fake Apple logos and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) trademark icons.

However, Falcon noted that it was obvious that the connectors were fake because they were packaged in plastic “blister” packs, as opposed to Apple’s white cardboard packaging. Falcon also mentioned that because the products are from a manufacturer in another country, ti would be hard to do much about the shipments. However, he did note that it would bring about more scrutiny and make them aware if any future shipments were to come through.

In total, the counterfeit Lightning connectors were priced at about $635,000, however, they would have likely been sold at much lower prices. It is unclear if all of the Lightning connectors and adapters were functional. Apple has had an issue with counterfeit products in the past, including fake iPods, iPhones, and iPads and in several cases, fake Apple Stores.

{Via iMore}

Apple’s cables and wires for its iOS devices and Macs are all supplied by one company that manufactures them and ships them in large volumes. On Friday, in a report from The London Evening Standard, it was revealed that Apple is now requiring cable supplier Volex to spend an extra $6 million dollars in order to change its manufacturing process in order to eliminate halogens from the power and USB cables.

This change will positively affect the dangerous chemicals found in wires and cables in many computers and electronic products, and also allows Apple to reduce its carbon footprint.

Apple is the biggest customer of Volex, 23%-owned by billionaire financier Nat Rothschild, which makes the power cables and USB leads used in everything from laptops to iPhones and iPads.

But the US firm is on a drive to move its products towards halogen-free power cables, which are less harmful to the environment when disposed of.

The start-up costs in designing and making the new cables will cost it up to $6 million in the current financial year, Volex said today, although, stripping out these one-off costs, profits will be in line with market expectation.

Apple has been criticized in the past by many environmental groups such as Greenpeace, who claim that many companies are not doing their part to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in electronics.

However, Apple has been doing very well in recent years, opting for greener practices and safer options for materials used in their products. Apple launched an environmental footprint section on their main web site, showing customers their involvement in the clean up of chemicals in Apple devices.

With this new push for more environmental friendly cables and wires, Apple is slowly spreading eco-friendliness through all of their devices, including the iPhone an iPad, which currently use BFR free glass and a number of other eco-friendly materials.

{via MacRumors}

OK, put this firmly in the column for things that are so simple I’m annoyed I didn’t think of it myself! You own an iPad right? You like to keep it charged, yeah? OK, then no doubt you’ve come across the iPad’s main irritation – it doesn’t charge from most USB ports due to needing a 10w power source. Yes some of the newer machines will kick out enough juice via its ports, but most machines don’t. You only need check out the furore on most forums from the original launch.

This is where the Xmultiple Technologies iXP1-500 comes in (slips right off the tongue, doesn’t it?!). This handy little doo-hickey acts as a go-between for your iPad’s USB cable and the port it wants to connect to. I’ll let the Xmultimple guys explain it properly…

We released a small adapter for the iPad, which I would like to make you aware of. Our iXP1-500 iPad adapter solves the problems iPad users have charging from their desktop and laptop computers. Now there is a solution with the iXP1-500 USB adapter. Simply attach the iXP1-500 adapter to your existing Apple charge/sync cable and your iPad will charge from your computer’s USB port – Guaranteed.

iXP1-500 technology.

The iPad Charging with a USB port is mostly not a solution. Plugging an iPad into a computer’s USB port, instead of an AC jack, often results in syncing only. The iPad requires 10W of energy to charge, which is much more than a typical USB port provides. However, even a USB port will work extremely slow compared to an AC outlet. That means most desktops and laptop USB ports won’t charge the iPad. Therefore, to charge the iPad you have to be a slave to a wall outlet.

If a user wants ever a better solution the XP1Power XP-2500 rechargeable battery built into the USB charge/sync cable solves this problem as well and provides a rechargeable battery integrated into the cable to provide power and charging when you are away from home or office.

The iXP1-500 Adapter and the XP1Power XP-2500 are inexpensive solutions and they make charging convenient. Pick the solution, which is best for you. The XP1Power XP-2500 will charge the iPad while you are on the go. Anywhere. No need for an USB port or a wall outlet.

So simple it’s scary! The XP-500 is priced at a very reasonable $4.99.