The iPhone and iPad come with a USB to Lightning cable that is 1 meter long, almost 40 inches. When you are far from an outlet, that is a good length, and sometimes I even wish it were longer. But if your iPhone is right next to the USB port on your laptop or an external battery, you don't need something that long. Indeed, a cable that long tends to get tangled up with other items when you travel with it in a briefcase or purse. The solution is a short USB to Lightning cable, and that's exactly what the LightLinez from Kenburg Technology is. I received a free review sample of this product, and it works as advertised.
The LightLinez is only 12 cm long, just under 5 inches. But it is a high-quality, Apple-certified cable that works great for charging or syncing. I used it with both my iPhone 5 and my iPad mini, and it works great.
I find that the LightLinez works especially well when you are using it at a desk and your iPhone or iPad is adjacent to an external battery, something like the iSound Portable Power Max Backup Battery, or next to the USB port on the side of a laptop. And I love that the cord itself is so tiny, making it perfect for travel.
Apple's 1 meter USB to Lightning cable sells for $19, and the LightLinez sells for $18.95. At first blush it seems strange to pay the same amount for something that is shorter, but as noted above, less is more when you don't want a long cable snaking all over your desk or getting tangled on things in your briefcase or purse. If you are looking for an extra Lightning cable and you like the idea of something that is small and portable, the LightLinez is perfect.
