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Apple Files for Patent on Flexible Headphone Connectors
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Not all sound output use-cases are supported by BT. For example:
- Audio playback over a long period of time (a BT device will run out of battery power or otherwise would need to be plugged in to a power source).
- Audio output to an amp/speakers that further away than what the BT range will support.
- Audio output in environments where the BT signal is unreliable at any distance.
- Support for environments where BT may not be used by policy. (Some security conscious environments ban unsecured radio transmissions.)
- Audio output to legacy devices.
All true, but doesn't explain why Apple have not put any effort into making decent, Apple quality, bluetooth headphones. I for one would buy some.
Well, they haven't put any effort into making decent, Apple quality, wired headphones. Why should BT be any different?
Because we are stuck using a connector that was basically designed 135 years ago.
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How is making electronics more durable "totally useless"?
Or keep the standard we are all used to
Id rather not have 2 sets of headphones, 1 to use with older devices and 1 for newer ones. I also wouldnt like to worry about charging or replacing bluetooth headphone batteries.
(i do agree on BT being a bad standard tho)
Well yeah, that one definitely needs to be changed. Too much precision required to plug in the keyboard and mouse; but what are the current problems with the 3.5mm jack? In its current design it is very stable. Make it too short and it will probably pop out with a shear force, make it too thin and it could snap with shear force. 2.5mm headphones exist and are stable, but it doesnt seem like enough of an optimization to qualify to be the new standard. Or do you all want something completely different, like old samsung phones used to have; where every phone had a different type of headphone connection. (i.e. those that connected via the charger port)
Those things worked like a charm. They weren't flexible tho, and functionality could be offset to keyboards connected to USB
The current headphone jack is thick (leaving less room for other stuff in phones), it collects dust and is basically a hole.
These are design problems, they'd have to be solved (because that's what makes the 2,5 mm stupid: it ADDS problems).
I'm not sure what they're planning, but i agree on one thing: there's a lot of stuff (high end headphones for example) that would stop being useful if the connector would change alltogether.
That said, improving it, improving everything, should be and is a focus point in (imho) ANY good business.
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It would collect little screws for you too! Also it would stick to your car roof!
Agreed. I wont doubt Apple, just because I cant think of a way to improve it doesnt mean that no one can. Its just that headphones are one of those global standards, I just hope that Apple doesnt do one of those redesigns hoping everyone would follow suit. The design would have to be an obvious improvement with no compromise at all. If Apple does one of those designs that is more of "why would you do that?" than "wow" I fear we Apple lovers may end up carrying around 2 sets of headphones for no reason :[
yeah, why not, this was the only patent left which apple could file. that's really poor, apple. all apple can do is file patents and then sue anyone else who uses it, apple doesn't even uses half of the patents it owns, all they want is to sue everyone else.
Having it pop out with force would be a good thing. Right now if you yank your headphones too hard it can cause your whole phone/MP3 player to go flying.
So if you drop your phone while your headphones are in your ears, you rather the phone pop off and fall? Many times Ive caught my falling phones via the headphone cable, preventing it from hitting the ground. I would have been through at least 5 replacement phones otherwise.
On numerous occasions my phone has gone flying BECAUSE of the headphones. The cord got caught on a doorknob or whatever and was yanked right out of my pocket.
An improved headphone jack could still provide a small amount of resistance as it is pulled out. Enough to slow the phone on its descent. And also if you're prone to dropping your phone, I would highly suggest getting a shock-resistant case.