Just had a conversation online with an apple rep about iphone compatibility...
take from it what you will:
Hi, my name is Justin R.. Welcome to Apple!
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You: Hello
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You: I am interested in the new Apple in-ear headphones
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Justin R.: Great.
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You: I have an iPhone 3G and I don't see it listed as compatible. I'm sure Apple wouldn't come out with new headphones with a microphone that aren't compatible with it, right?
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Justin R.: They are designed for the iPod touch, and other new iPod models.
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Justin R.: They are not compatible with the iPhone.
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You: So they won't work with my iPhone?
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Justin R.: That's correct.
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Justin R.: We have V-Moda headphones that have a microphone to work with your iPhone.
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You: That seems a little ridiculous to me
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You: Don't the iPod Touch and iPhone have the same hardware other than the phone?
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Justin R.: I understand where you are coming from.
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Justin R.: The iPhone 3G comes with headphones that are designed to work with them.
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You: Yea but they are not good headphones like the new ones
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You: Will the audio and mic work with the iPhone 3G and just not the remote or will nothing work?
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Justin R.: Apple doesn't support using the new in-ear headphones with the iPhone.
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You: That's not what I asked though
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You: Will the audio and mic work even if the remote does not?
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Justin R.: I don't have details on how they will work with the iPhone, or if they will work with the iPhone.
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Justin R.: Do you have an Apple Retail Store near you?
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You: Will anybody else there know?
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You: Yes I do but it's a hassle to go down there just to try them out.
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You: Can anybody tell me what will and what will not work
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Justin R.: One moment while I research that for you.
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You: Thank you
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Justin R.: The remote and mic are only supported by the current iPod models. The audio is supported by all other models.
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Justin R.: So the iPhone will only support the audio.
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You: So the mic won't even work?
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You: Doesn't the mic part of the new headphones use the same connector as the current iPhone headphones?
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You: If so, that doesn't make sense
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Justin R.: I totally understand your concern. I wish I had more information available.
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You: Who would?
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Justin R.: Currently, the iPhone will not support the mic or the remote on the headphones.
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Justin R.: You can go to your local Apple Retail Store to try them to see how they work.
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You: These headphones ARE made by Apple so I would assume someone at Apple would be able to answer these questions
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Justin R.: Which question would you like answered?
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You: What makes these headphones NOT compatible with the iPhone 3G
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You: Based on the specifications on the website it looks like it uses the same connectors as the current iPhone headphones.
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You: So something doesn't make sense
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You: The only thing that technically should NOT work based on the specs would be the volume controls
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Justin R.: Apple decided not to make them compatible with the iPhone 3G. The headphones will work for the audio. But the mic and remote are not supported by the iPhone.
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You: So you can say 100% positively that the mic will not work with the iPhone 3G?
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You: B/c if the mic and audio work I would still buy them
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You: I don't care about the remote controls
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Justin R.: Apple does not support the mic and remote being used with the iPhone.
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You: I don't care if Apple supports it or not
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You: I want to know if it WILL work
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Justin R.: At this point, I recommend that you visit your Apple Retail Store to see how the headphones work with your iPhone.
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Justin R.: I can tell you that the audio will work, and the mic and remote are not supported.
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You: So you don't know?
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You: Or are you not allowed to say for some reason?
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You: B/c you keep avoiding my questions
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You: Which is kind of bizzarre
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Justin R.: I can't say that it won't work, because I (nor has anyone else on the sales floor) have not used these headphones with the iPhone.
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You: Alright thanks for your "help"
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Justin R.: I can say that Apple does not support using the remote and mic with the iPhone, which normally means it won't work at all.. But that is not always the case.
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Justin R.: You're welcome.
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Justin R.: Thank you for visiting the Apple Store. We appreciate your business. If you would like more help, please chat with us again.