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Apple creating Headphone chaos?

D

DG82016

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 15, 2016
17
38
Kentucky
I do not object to Apple's removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone. There are good reasons to do so. But using the lightning port could create chaos, as follows:
  • Apple removes headphone jack from iPhone and uses lightning port for audio (already done).
  • Other phone makers remove headphone jack and use USB-C port for both charging and audio.
  • Apple removes headphone jack from MacBook Pro, and uses USB-C port (I can't see them adding a lightning port to a Mac for audio).
  • For a while, there are three standards: traditional jack, lightning, and USB-C for audio, creating headaches for consumers and manufacturers. Chaos!
  • Industry settles on USB-C, and iPhone marginalized.
  • Around the time of the iPhone 12, Apple gives in and switches to USB-C.
What a mess this could turn out to be!

P.S. Remember Firewire?
 
Nah, I think it'll be Lightning for iOS and USB-C for Macs.

Remember, at least 500 million iPhones with the Lightning connector have already been sold. These devices are ubiquitous. Half a billion devices means you've already created a new standard. No way they'd go to USB-C on their iPhones. No way.
 
Maybe so. We'll see. But I am sure users will be irritated at having to use one set of headphones for their Mac and another one (or a dongle) for their iPhone!
 
The future is wireless. Audio over Lightning/USB-C is just a stop gap measure.

I initially brushed over the AirPods when they were announced but now after having a week and several articles/reviews on them to consider them, I've changed my mind and definitely see the appeal to them and where they are going.
 
DG82016 said:
Maybe so. We'll see. But I am sure users will be irritated at having to use one set of headphones for their Mac and another one (or a dongle) for their iPhone!
Click to expand...
But if we are all wireless....there are two makers of cell phones that also removed the aux port on their phones....it's only a matter of time til we are all wireless.
 
WeemanWise said:
The future is wireless. Audio over Lightning/USB-C is just a stop gap measure.

I initially brushed over the AirPods when they were announced but now after having a week and several articles/reviews on them to consider them, I've changed my mind and definitely see the appeal to them and where they are going.
Click to expand...
Funny how that happens....you can be so hell bent on not buying something and then there's a shift and you start to see how this could positively impact your life.....I wasn't considering the airpods at first...then I started thinking of how they could be a welcome addition to my wireless devices...connection is seamless with all my Apple products...it would be nice to have these when I'm talking on the phone or FaceTime/ video chat with family and friends...every day usage as far as commuting and being home. I would still use my beats for their purposes( powerbeats outdoor activity like running...solo beats for long usage like air travels)
 
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gemnilocs said:
.connection is seamless with all my Apple products...it would be nice to have these when I'm talking on the phone or FaceTime/ video chat with family and friends...every day usage as far as commuting and being home. I would still use my beats for their purposes( powerbeats outdoor activity like running...solo beats for long usage like air travels)
Click to expand...

I will transition to just Airpods.

There, apparently, may not be a need for other headphones.

Or continue to use the current devices until they don't work anymore.

The compactness, versatility and usefulness of the Airpods will rid me of the Bluetooth clutter that I now have.

➰
 
The biggest percentage of iPhone owners use the lightning EarPods that now come with the phone, and only listen to music through their phone or other iOS devices that already have lightning. No problem here.

Some users have a *single* pair of headphones/earphones. They will mostly or exclusively use them with their iPhone and maybe iPad. They'll simply attach the short adapter to it and leave it. No problem there.

More and more users will use Bluetooth earphones. Either from Apple, Beats or most other brands that offer some versions of their products with Bluetooth. In a 3-6 months the AirPods will be as normal as the regular white earbuds. By the time version 2 comes out with more "hearable" features, this segment will grow even further and faster. No problem either.

A relatively tiny percentage of users have multiple headphones, earphones, use them with multiple devices (phones, Macs, PCs, recording equipment), don't like dongles, already use bulky amps taped to their iPod Classic and don't want even more cables, etc. Those will be annoyed and complain on forums. They'll be the vast minority though. Yes, a problem and too bad for these users. But Apple's (long term) focus isn't on edge-cases, which these are.

Over time Bluetooth will improve, and even more with the W-chip magic from Apple. Earphones will do more. Prices will drop. Before long people can pick up a perfectly fine set of AirPods or whatever for $50 or less and this whole issue is moot.
 
Is there data to back this up, or is this just your personal speculation? I only question it because the largest percentage of iPhone users don't use the included earpods now. The only thing that changed is the connector - they're still the most uncomfortable things to put in your ears. Most people have third party earbuds.

C64 said:
The biggest percentage of iPhone owners use the lightning EarPods that now come with the phone, and only listen to music through their phone or other iOS devices that already have lightning. No problem here.

Some users have a *single* pair of headphones/earphones. They will mostly or exclusively use them with their iPhone and maybe iPad. They'll simply attach the short adapter to it and leave it. No problem there.

More and more users will use Bluetooth earphones. Either from Apple, Beats or most other brands that offer some versions of their products with Bluetooth. In a 3-6 months the AirPods will be as normal as the regular white earbuds. By the time version 2 comes out with more "hearable" features, this segment will grow even further and faster. No problem either.

A relatively tiny percentage of users have multiple headphones, earphones, use them with multiple devices (phones, Macs, PCs, recording equipment), don't like dongles, already use bulky amps taped to their iPod Classic and don't want even more cables, etc. Those will be annoyed and complain on forums. They'll be the vast minority though. Yes, a problem and too bad for these users. But Apple's (long term) focus isn't on edge-cases, which these are.

Over time Bluetooth will improve, and even more with the W-chip magic from Apple. Earphones will do more. Prices will drop. Before long people can pick up a perfectly fine set of AirPods or whatever for $50 or less and this whole issue is moot.
Click to expand...
 
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AlliFlowers said:
Is there data to back this up, or is this just your personal speculation? I only question it because the largest percentage of iPhone users don't use the included earpods now. The only thing that changed is the connector - they're still the most uncomfortable things to put in your ears. Most people have third party earbuds.
Click to expand...

Is there data to back that up? Sounds like personal speculation to me ;)
 
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rockyromero said:
I will transition to just Airpods.

There, apparently, may not be a need for other headphones.

Or continue to use the current devices until they don't work anymore.

The compactness, versatility and usefulness of the Airpods will rid me of the Bluetooth clutter that I now have.

Click to expand...
i feel ya but each pair for me serves a purpose...i can't run with the solo beats as they tend to move around on my head but they are perfect for travel....the powerbeats are perfect for running and jumping rope and working out in the gym where i can do things that require a lot of movement and they stay in place and they last longer in the sauna vs the solo beats when wireless....the airpods would irritate my ears after a long extended period so i only see me using them at home, commuting to work and home, facetime or talking on the phone. but i'm still on the fence about them because i already own two pairs of wireless. lol
 
I'm just surprised they included the lightning to 3.5mm dongle. Thought we'd have to pay $45 for it.
 
gemnilocs said:
i feel ya but each pair for me serves a purpose...
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the present.

And Apple wound want you to have a different head/ear device for each activity.

I'm thinking that the Airpods may/will become the one go to device because of ease of use, comfort & availability.

I prefer that for me & most people may also want that.

Airpods could upend this niche area and toast the emerging competition.

With 1B iPhone users, it's possible that 15M to 20M will be sold within 6 months of availability.

➰
 
keysofanxiety said:
Nah, I think it'll be Lightning for iOS and USB-C for Macs.

Remember, at least 500 million iPhones with the Lightning connector have already been sold. These devices are ubiquitous. Half a billion devices means you've already created a new standard. No way they'd go to USB-C on their iPhones. No way.
Click to expand...

It's precisely those 500+ million Lightning connectors out there that suggests Apple will add Lightning to the Macs. Imagine the Apple employee that has to explain to a new iPhone 7 customer that their new Lightning headphones will need an adapter to switch between their iPhone and their new Mac. That's a marketing failure right there.

DG82016 said:
Maybe so. We'll see. But I am sure users will be irritated at having to use one set of headphones for their Mac and another one (or a dongle) for their iPhone!
Click to expand...

Yes they will, and that's why Apple will add Lightning ports to their Macs. Plus they add benefits, particularly on the Retina MB. I am absolutely stunned that the iPhone 7 was released with a pair of Lightning headphones, and no way currently available to use them on a Mac with either a 3.5mm adapter, a Thunderbolt adapter, or even a 3.5mm adapter. The inclusion of a 3.5mm adapter in the box only encourages customers to use their old headphones, especially if they plan to use the same headphones on anything other than newer iOS devices.

mickeydean said:
I'm just surprised they included the lightning to 3.5mm dongle. Thought we'd have to pay $45 for it.
Click to expand...

The current rumor is that the adapter is just a port converter that passes an analogue signal now being output by the Lightning connector for the first time since Apple introduced it. If true, even that currently considered $9 bargain for a digital adapter, is suddenly a horribly overpriced port converter.
 
DG82016 said:
I do not object to Apple's removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone. There are good reasons to do so. But using the lightning port could create chaos, as follows:
  • Apple removes headphone jack from iPhone and uses lightning port for audio (already done).
  • Other phone makers remove headphone jack and use USB-C port for both charging and audio.
  • Apple removes headphone jack from MacBook Pro, and uses USB-C port (I can't see them adding a lightning port to a Mac for audio).
  • For a while, there are three standards: traditional jack, lightning, and USB-C for audio, creating headaches for consumers and manufacturers. Chaos!
  • Industry settles on USB-C, and iPhone marginalized.
  • Around the time of the iPhone 12, Apple gives in and switches to USB-C.
What a mess this could turn out to be!

P.S. Remember Firewire?
Click to expand...
Buy Airpods. Problem solved.
 
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