iPhone 7 May Ship With Lightning-Connected EarPods, New Wireless Earphones Also Under Development

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming iPhone 7 is rumored to feature a thinner body with no headphone jack, with Apple instead planning to rely on the Lightning port and Bluetooth as ways to connect headphones to the device.

It was not clear if Apple would continue to ship EarPods along with the iPhone 7, and whether those EarPods would use Lightning or Bluetooth, but a new report from 9to5Mac suggests Apple will indeed ship Lightning-connected EarPods with the iPhone 7. Apple is also working on a new set of wireless Bluetooth earphones that would be sold alongside the iPhone 7 as a premium accessory and alternative to the Lightning-connected EarPods.

While traditional Bluetooth headphones, including Apple's own PowerBeats, have a wire that connects the left and right ear pieces to each other, Apple is said to be designing earphones that do not include a connective cord. These earphones would be similar in design to the Bragi Dash, an upcoming set of earphones that features individual ear pieces for each ear. Charging would be done through a battery case.

The latest version of the new wireless Apple/Beats headphones in development do not include any ports for charging, in contrast to the mini-USB port on the current wireless Beats. Instead, the new headphones are likely to come with a carrying case that doubles as a rechargeable battery to juice up the headphones when they are not in use.

A recent rumor suggested Apple would use new audio technology in the iPhone 7 to improve noise-cancelation techniques for better sounding music and phone calls, and this appears to be technology that may also extend to Apple's prospective wireless earphones.

In October, trademark filings for an audio accessory by the name of "AirPods" were linked to Apple, so it's possible Apple's rumored wireless earphones will eventually be named "AirPods" and sold alongside the existing EarPods.

According to 9to5Mac, while the earphones are currently under development in preparation for a fall launch, there's a possibility the technology could be delayed due to battery life concerns. The earphones are said to have a battery life under four hours.

Today's report also suggests Apple is finalizing the design for the iPhone 7, testing three designs that range from a thinner model to a device that looks much like the iPhone 6s.

Article Link: iPhone 7 May Ship With Lightning-Connected EarPods, New Wireless Earphones Also Under Development

 

[Sirious]

I knew it! AirPods!
Interested to know users thoughts.

 

[Dydegu]

Even with all of these iPhone 7 advances, I think I'm more excited to see what the next version of iOS 10 will bring.

The iPhone 7 will be quite a device.

 

[Leoleon]

24bit audio? This would be the only reason for them to do it & for me to want it . . .​

 

[LordQ]

Exciting indeed, can't wait to retire my 4s.

 

[bdkennedy1]

Four hours is not acceptable.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Yep, am already sold! Bring on the change!

http://www.earin.com was thinking of saving up to buy one of these, but am absolutely certain that AirPods will be miles better coming from Apple themselves, sad for earin though.

-
iPhone 7, AirPods and probably Wireless Charging Pad*
I think this year I'll be spending a bit more than usual on Apple products with the accessories.

 

[heeloliver]

Oh dear...connecting in my car will be a pain in the ass. Or, I'll have to buy a Lightning to 3.5mm cord, if that'll exist.

 

[RDeckard]

I'm tired of Apple getting rid of the things I know and love. First it was then command line interface. Then floppy drives. Then DVD drives. Now 3.5mm connectors. I'm going to protest and start listening to music on cassettes (TDK and Maxell, baby!), 8-tracks, and reel-to-reel only. Using 1/4-inch headphone jacks!!!

 

[Jimmy James]

I'm not looking forward to buying multiple adapters to use with our 3.5mm inputs. And yet more where I also need pass through charging simultaneously.

 

[benjitek]

Apple's 'AirPods' will probably be the only wireless earphones with always-on 'Hey Siri' functionality...

 

[Jimmy James]

If this turns out to be the case it's the first decision that's made me think I could look at Android phones.

 

[smizzle]

Apple's 'AirPods' will probably be the only wireless earphones with always-on 'Hey Siri' functionality...

I dunno, it seems hard enough just to make wireless headphones that last all day let alone have them listening for "Hey Siri" the whole time.

 

[Jamesesesesess]

So... are they going to add a Lighting port to the Mac line? Do they expect people to invest in Lightning headphones that they can't even use with their other products?

There couldn't have been a greater time to make a universal switch to USB-C

 

[smizzle]

Oh dear...connecting in my car will be a pain in the ass. Or, I'll have to buy a Lightning to 3.5mm cord, if that'll exist.

Quit complaining and just buy a new car!! What are you some kind of Android sympathiser?!

 

[LordQ]

If this turns out to be the case it's the first decision that's made me think I could look at Android phones.

Watch all "high-end" Android phones ditch the jack in a couple of years too.

 

[PlainviewX]

Those Dash buds would be awesome if they weren't $299.

 

[8281]

If this turns out to be the case it's the first decision that's made me think I could look at Android phones.

I agree. If this is the innovation I'm paying premium prices for then I'm not really interested.

 

[639051]

Eh I really don't care about this change. However what I do care about is the thinness march which is just unrelenting. Keep it the same thickness, pack a battery into that space or something.

 

[DaveN]

I'm not looking forward to buying multiple adapters to use with our 3.5mm inputs. And yet more where I also need pass through charging simultaneously.

A lightning to 3.5 mm adapter is all that would be needed. I would gladly give up the 3.5 mm jack for a water resistant phone.

 

[lkrupp]

I'm tired of Apple getting rid of the things I know and love. First it was then command line interface. Then floppy drives. Then DVD drives. Now 3.5mm connectors. I'm going to protest and start listening to music on cassettes (TDK and Maxell, baby!), 8-tracks, and reel-to-reel only. Using 1/4-inch headphone jacks!!!

Isn’t it amazing how much people are bitching about retiring quite literally 100 year old technology. I mean take a look at photographs from the early 1900s showing people wearing headsets with braided cords plugged into their radio sets. Only back then it was 1/4” jacks instead of 3.5mm jacks. Analog baby!

“If Henry Ford had asked customers what they wanted before starting his assembly line they would have said, “A better buggy whip.”” attributed to Steve Jobs

 

[Stella]

A wireless only iPhone would render the phone useless on a plane...

Can't listen to the audio...

Hopefully any wireless headset would be better than Apple's first attempt at a bluetooth device - which also had poor battery life.

Apple forget that a consumer device can be a few mm larger to accommodate a bigger battery to ensure good battery life...

 

[oneMadRssn]

I just hope the 3.5mm adapter is unobtrusive and small. I don't want a giant dongle (...or do I?).

 

[blahbrah]

Isn’t it amazing how much people are bitching about retiring quite literally 100 year old technology. I mean take a look at photographs from the early 1900s showing people wearing headsets with braided cords plugged into their radio sets. Only back then it was 1/4” jacks instead of 3.5mm jacks. Analog baby!

if it ain't broke ...

 

[mrsoonersky]

A wireless only iPhone would render the phone useless on a plane...

Can't listen to the audio...

Not true, you don't already leave bluetooth and Wifi turned on? It's just the LTE radio you must turn off.