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Belkin fills the void with first third-party Lightning accessories for Apple devices

When Apple dropped the 30-pin connector in favor of Lightning for the iPhone 5, new iPods and new iPads, it also dropped much of the current accessory market: short of an expensive adapter, years of collecting docks and more exotic peripherals were for nought. Belkin is stepping into that vacuum with what it says are the first officially sanctioned third-party Lightning accessories. Neither its Charge + Sync Dock (seen at left) for the iPhone 5 nor its Car Charger for Lightning (right) are what we'd call revolutionary, but they both cover missing pieces of the puzzle -- including Apple's, as the tech firm skipped making an iPhone dock of its own for this generation. Should either the audio-supporting dock or the iPad-capable charger sound appealing, both are up for pre-orders today and will ship in mid-November for $30.

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Belkin Announces New Accessories for Apple's Lightning Connector

All-in-one Car Charger and Charge + Sync Dock will be first third-party accessories in market

PLAYA VISTA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Belkin today announced that it will launch two new accessories designed for Apple's Lightning connector, a hardwired car charger and Charge + Sync dock. These new accessories will be the first third-party Lightning accessories available in market and are the first of several new Lightning accessories from Belkin that will launch this year.

"Belkin was the first third-party manufacturer to develop accessories for the 30-pin connector back in 2003, and we are thrilled to be first to market again with solutions for the new Lightning connector," said Martin Avila, general manager of Belkin's core division. "People are eager for Lightning accessories and Belkin's give them a reliable way to keep their new iPhone 5, iPad 4th generation, iPad mini or iPod touch charged, protected, and ready to go."

Belkin Car Charger for Lightning (F8J075) $29.99

* Updated version of Belkin's best-selling, slim-profile car charger
* Hardwired 4' Lightning cable included
* Over-voltage protection to protect device
* MFi certified
* 10 watt, 2.1 amp
* Available in Black

Belkin Charge + Sync Dock (F8J057) $29.99

* Case-compatible
* Cable not included; for use with Apple-branded Lightning connector cable only
* Foldaway AUX jack
* Cable channel for easy cable feeding
* Removable magnetic base
* EarPods audio-out port for headphones or speakers

Belkin has been a trusted brand creating solutions to complement the Apple ecosystem for almost 30 years. Beginning with its first product, the "Hamlet" printer interface back in 1985 to the introduction of the first iOS-based Wi-Fi home control product, WeMo, in 2012, Belkin is well known for creating innovative, market-leading accessories that enhance and protect Apple's products. Belkin continues that tradition with the first third party accessories for the new Lightning connector.

Availability

Lightning accessories from Belkin are available for pre-order now on Belkin.com and will be available starting in mid-November.