Apple Preparing HD Audio Playback for iOS 8 Alongside New In-Ear Headphones and Lightning Cable

[MacRumors]

Apple is said to be introducing high definition audio playback in iOS 8 alongside new versions of its In-Ear Headphones and Lightning connector, according to a report from Mac Otakara (Google Translate).

Building off of a report last month which claimed that Apple will announce high-fidelity iTunes music downloads at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the post notes that Apple will enable high-quality audio files to be played on iOS 8 compatible devices.

Currently, iOS 7's stock Music app cannot play high quality 24-bit audio files that contain a sampling frequency beyond 48 kHz. Additionally, while third-party apps such as Onkyo's HF Player and FLAC Player are able to play said audio files, users are still limited to onboard playback at a 16-bit rate. Apple is also said to be preparing an upgraded Lightning cable to accommodate high-definition playback on Made For iPhone (MFi) audio accessories, although it isn't clear when the company would introduce the updated wire.

Apple's In-Ear Headphones ​

Finally, the report notes that Apple is working on a new version of its In-Ear Headphones to accommodate high-quality audio playback. The premium in-ear headphones have not been updated since 2008, however the product is still officially sold by Apple at its retail locations and in its Online Store for $79.

Apple is expected to introduce iOS 8 at WWDC 2014, which will kick off on June 2. In addition to potentially enabling high-definition audio playback, the new mobile operating system is expected to include major improvements to Siri and Maps along with a rumored "Healthbook" app that displays various fitness and health-related information.

Apple will also likely debut OS X 10.10 at the event, and may introduce Beats Electronics co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre as new senior advisers following a likely forthcoming announcement regarding its acquisition of the audio company.

Article Link: Apple Preparing HD Audio Playback for iOS 8 Alongside New In-Ear Headphones and Lightning Cable

 

[Reason077]

Interesting. Apple's old in-ear 'headphones' were awful. Very uncomfortable (no matter which of the 3 sizes I tried) and sound quality not appreciably better than the standard earbuds.

 

[Wuiffi]

I like what they are doing. The smartphone market is probably at a point, where there are only little changes from year to year (similar to the pc market).

So concentration on the small things like better audio, better pictures in low light and other stuff seems like a good idea

 

[SchneiderMan]

Hold on a minute, a new Lightning cable that will transfer HD audio playback? That doesn't make sense.

 

[beowulf70]

Interesting indeed. Is this not an admittance that the most recent in-ear audio offering from Apple, the EarPods were in fact somewhat less than successful?

 

[dnlklr]

what are the chances that these headphones will be Beats® branded?

 

[huschpuscheli]

sounds good.

 

[goobot]

Hold on a minute, a new Lightning cable that will transfer HD audio playback? That doesn't make sense.

Why? There are lots of docks and such that use lightning/30pin for audio.

 

[alohamade]

what are the chances that these headphones will be Beats® branded?

If this report from earlier today is to be believed, it won't be. Apple is *reportedly* looking to keep the Beats brand separate, however it's still totally possible that both sides share designs with each other.

 

[kengud]

And make the lighting connector usb 3.0 while you're at it.

 

[geeman]

If true, this may be enough to tempt me back to iOS.

 

[mrussell]

What I am wondering is if they do acquire Beats, will Beats headphones also adopt the same lightning connectivity feature. Could this be one of Apples reasonings for the acquisition of beats; to have "high quality" headphones?

 

[NATO]

Hang on, didn't Apple specifically say when they announced the lightning connector that it was going to be around for a long time? Why the rumour of a new one so soon?

 

[osofast240sx]

Hold on a minute, a new Lightning cable that will transfer HD audio playback? That doesn't make sense.

The apogee mic 96k uses the lightning port for digital HD. So why not?

 

[yegon]

I'll be sticking with my wireless earphones, Plantronic Backbeat Go 2's. Once you're accustomed to the convenience of wireless, it's hard to go back. Not an option for audiophiles though understandably, but what earbuds are?

 

[osofast240sx]

Hang on, didn't Apple specifically say when they announced the lightning connector that it was going to be around for a long time? Why the rumour of a new one so soon?

I think the article is a little confusing apple is going to be using the lightning port for the headphones or earbuds

 

[goobot]

Hang on, didn't Apple specifically say when they announced the lightning connector that it was going to be around for a long time? Why the rumour of a new one so soon?

Lightning wire ≠lightning port. Also it would still be the same design and be backwards compatible anyway.

 

[sshambles]

Best in-ear headphones around in my opinion.

Love the current model better than the first one.

 

[NATO]

Best in-ear headphones around in my opinion.

I couldn't agree more, so much so I've stockpiled a few in case Apple ever withdraws them for sale. Massively underrated and far better sound quality than ones costing over twice as much (from my own experience)

 

[Dreamer2go]

As a music lover, I approve this!
Higher quality music? Great! My DJ headphone will love this.
New in-ear? Sure! Great backup earphones. The current one isn't THAT bad to begin with (earpods are great as well for just $29)

Great direction!

 

[Reason077]

Interesting indeed. Is this not an admittance that the most recent in-ear audio offering from Apple, the EarPods were in fact somewhat less than successful?

No, they're talking about the in-ear headphones, not the EarPods (which, as far as standard earbuds go, are excellent in my opinion).

 

[Quu]

I like all this focus on Music. Something I really love and use all my Apple products for every day, anything that increases the audio fidelity is great by me.

 

[JoEw]

Interesting indeed. Is this not an admittance that the most recent in-ear audio offering from Apple, the EarPods were in fact somewhat less than successful?

More that the product has not been updated in 6 years..

 

[sshambles]

I couldn't agree more, so much so I've stockpiled a few in case Apple ever withdraws them for sale. Massively underrated and far better sound quality than ones costing over twice as much (from my own experience)

I may be thinking of doing the same now too.

They used to be $120 for the pre-2008 model. Glad they're a little more reasonable.

 

[Megakazbek]

Why? There are lots of docks and such that use lightning/30pin for audio.

Still doesn't make sense, because the cable has nothing to do with ability to transfer HD audio.