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Sorry I find it highly implausible that Apple would leak a "trial ballon" to some Asian media source. If they want to dump the standard headphone jack they're going to do it. But doing it to make the iPhone thinner doesn't make sense to me because Apple currently sells products thinner than the iPhone 6 that use the standard jack.
One of the goals of a trial balloon is to not make it look like one. Otherwise it is simply a "customer survey". :) The reason for trial balloons vs a customer query... plausible deniability. Happens all the time.
 
Cook is planning to sell adapters to millions of iPhone users in near future. Feels like foreshadowing the downfall of Sony in 90s and early 2000s. Sony forced its customers to buy non-universal, in house products for everything.
Yup. Bought a Sony Ericsson phone with proprietary plug. Headphones broke six months later. Replacement cost so much I ended up not buying it, and it put me off Sony products for years. If that's the route Apple wants to take... good luck.
 
I'll go against the grain and say this is awesome.

Everyone complained about the lightning connector, now people have moved on, upgraded their old crappy stuff, and life is good. Look how terrible a 30 pin connector looks now!? This is technology, it changes, and that means you need to upgrade every so often. Pay to play. So get on board, get with the new stuff or keep your 6S as long as humanly possible. Either way, it won't matter - Apple will get you, and if not, tech in general will and someday you'll have to move on no matter what, so may as well just get it over with and embrace it. Especially if you are playing in the expensive Apple ecosystem, why are you complaining? They are already saying there will be an adapter (oh the outcry of a $20 adapter for your $800 phone!!) and could you imagine the pissing and moaning if Apple said F you and there wasn't going to be an adapter? People here are never happy with anything.

Also I'm holding my iPod touch 6G in my hand (which most people have never probably held since it's a dead product) and while I've never been one to care too much about thinness, I have to admit the iPod touch 6G thickness is absolutely sublime. This is the sweet spot for the thickness of the iPhone of the future. Think how chunky/clunky the 6/6S will look when people get used to a 6mm thick phone. Don't believe me? Pick up a touch 6G and see for yourself.

To be quite frank, if it were up to the denizens of macrumors and how they complain year in year out about the phones getting any thinner, the iPhone 7 would be as thick as an iPhone 3G. People complained the 4 was too thin FFS. How many of those people today could go back to that thick brick? Battery in the 6/6S is better than the battery in the 4 too. Technology moves on, and I'm on board. You guys had to see this coming 4-5 years ago.

Basically you are saying that it's okay that Apple is telling us to bend over, and enjoy it. Or did I miss something in your post?
 
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Also, I can almost guarantee the included ear buds will simply pass analog and not pass a digital signal for processing in the earphones themselves. So you only loose the 3.5mm jack and gain absolutely nothing.

Well, they'd either need to include yet another DAC in the included headphones (which seems like an unnecessary expense) or they'd need to modify the lightning port so that it outputs an analogue signal (which seems unlikely). I hope this means that this is just a ridiculous rumor. I'm all-in on Apple, but as a serious headphone collector, I'd have a really hard time sticking with them if they were to remove the standard headphone jack.
 
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I think we're getting to the point now where wireless headphones are good enough to replace wired ones for most people.
Wireless headphones cost a lot more, while wired earbuds are dirt cheap and widely available. Nobody wants to have to carry spare batteries in case the wireless headphones die. Bluetooth running on the phone uses extra energy. Bluetooth doesn't work half the time, and it's a hassle to re-pair it compared to re-plugging wired headphones. And it would not be a huge problem but would still be frustrating to have to buy an adaptor just to plug it into your car's aux port.
 
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Um...how are you suppose to listen to music while charging your iPhone then? If true, this is stoooopid. Unless Apple plans to bring wireless charging to the iPhone 7.
They really should bring wireless charging to it. The adaptor could give you the headphone jack and another lightning port for charging, but it would be horrendously clunky at that point.

Also I'm holding my iPod touch 6G in my hand (which most people have never probably held since it's a dead product) and while I've never been one to care too much about thinness, I have to admit the iPod touch 6G thickness is absolutely sublime. This is the sweet spot for the thickness of the iPhone of the future. Think how chunky/clunky the 6/6S will look when people get used to a 6mm thick phone. Don't believe me? Pick up a touch 6G and see for yourself.

Riiiiight... I still curse under my breath every time I have to bring along an adaptor just to give my MacBook Pro an ethernet port, which is daily. Comparable Dell laptops are just as thick but have the proper ports. It's reasons like that that I never buy Apple's excuse that they're making things sleeker when they remove ports. It's like they don't even try seeing if there's a way to fit them in.

BTW, the iPhone is at the point where people like me put on cases just to give it some more bulk. Don't want it sliding out of my hand.

P.S. I apologize for not putting my replies into one post. I didn't remember that the new forum doesn't do that automatically until it was too late.
 
As long as there will be an adaptor, as I'm getting new headphones for Christmas and the 3.5mm is a standard. :oops:

But we all knew it was coming. I really don't get the benefit to be honest.

Apple will be the only beneficiary in this move (if it actually materializes). Licensing costs, and the elimination of the 3.5mm physical connector - even it's its only a few cents per device (for the 3.5mm connector).

I would love it if no third party manufacturers make headphones with lighting connectors ;)
 
3.5 mm technology is antiquated.
However, Apple solution is not entirely wireless - it offers Lightning.
I would say yes, 3.5 mm is becoming a bottleneck for thinness.

10575743684_0556e1852f.jpg


There lightning headphones:
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-M2L-27-Headphones-Lightning/dp/B00V4X6QGY
LIghtning is needed if you play high res Audio, I presume, that's where Apple is heading.
LIghtning allows for higher density signal and probably much higher quality. Even if you use wireless phones, I bet that the sound will be better than current one.
New DAC will compete with Sony offers. Should you have an older headphones, you can still use them with the adaptor.
Quote from LIghtning headphone user:
Build Quality

Build quality is excellent.The M2L's are very similar to the M1's and M2's.Styling is understated,with real leather surrounding the headband.Volume dial is located on the right earpod,along with a multifunction button which can be used to pause,FF,RWD tracks and also answer calls.Protein leather cover the memoryfoam earpads.Which are very comfy.The cord is a little stiff though,but not too bad.Headband adjustment seems a little limited also.I have a average size head(size 7 1/4" hat size)and I have to adjust the headband one click in from it's maximum size.So people with larger heads may find the headband might not have enough adjustability to fit their head.

Functions
Volume can be adjusted from either the phone or using the volume dial on the right earpod.Also the entire right side cover is a multifunction button.
Click once to pause current track.Double-click to go to next track,triple-click to go to previous track.You can even answer calls even though there is no inline mic.You just click the multifunction button to answer calls,and use the mic on the phone to speak into,just as if you're talking using the speakerphone.

Sound Quality
Sound quality is excellent.The external DAC and AMP really do make a difference.Clarity is excellent,with no harshness in the highs.The midrange in particular is wonderful.Tonal balance between the high and mids is right on to my ears.Bass is powerful and deep.In fact,the bass was almost too powerful at first.When I first got the headphones the bass was a little overbearing compared to the mids and treble.But as I played them for 100+ hours the highs and mids have really opened up and the bass has tightened up and is more articulate.
These headphones do not have a flat frequency response though.Bass is accentuated,which is what I prefer.I would say the bass response is very similar to the RHA T10i IEM"S,except the high's are much better on the Fidelio M2L's.
I would say these phones are excellent with modern genres of music like hip hop,R&B,pop,EDM,etc...I'm not sure how they would sound with genres like classical or jazz as I don't really listen to those genres.
While they have a strong bass signature,it is not as high as say the V-Moda M-100's,JVC HA-FX850's,or the Sennheiser IE80.

Overall I'm very happy with these headphones.And I think my search for the ultimate portable headphones has ended...for now atleast.

Please explain why "3.5 mm technology is antiquated."?
 
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The Lightning port should be capable of higher resolution audio. Go ahead Apple, change this ancient technology that exists like gazillions years.
 
every single one of you quoting me and bitching and even going so far as to personally attack me (which i could report) will buy one of these phones anyway. none of you will vote with your wallet, youll just continue to bitch until launch day, when youll open your wallet anyway. thats all anyone here does is bitch, but then still buys everything apple sells - its all lip service here.

3.5 mm headphone jacks are trash, its the component that fails every time on a portable device, giving you static unless you spin the headphone cord within the jack to the right point. a lightning port headphone jack will likely eliminate that completely.
 
As long as they have TWO connectors so we can charge and listen to music at the same time.

Wireless headphones (earbud style) are never as loud or clear as wired.

Not just headphones. Lots of people use their iPhones to listen to music in their cars, with power from a USB charger, and the headphone cord plugged into an input jack in the car. And no, we will not buy new cars just so Apple can make their already-too-thin-to-hold-comfortably phone even thinner. There is no reason to make cellular phones thinner at this point. They're already so thin that it is affecting their structural integrity (see also "bend-gate". Stop trying to make them thinner.

I guarantee that not one single person has ever said the words, "I'd buy an iPhone if it were just thinner." Not even the iPhone 3G with its giant lump back. Thickness matters exactly as much to phone consumers as calculating additional digits of pi does to people putting in a round swimming pool. It is purely something of interest to engineers who are trying to prove that they are better than other engineers, and it represents a tremendous waste of time and energy that could be better spent making the designs lighter, stronger, more reliable, etc.

Just don't go there.


3.5 mm headphone jacks are trash, its the component that fails every time on a portable device, giving you static unless you spin the headphone cord within the jack to the right point. a lightning port headphone jack will likely eliminate that completely.

What do you do to your phones? The last time I broke an Apple headphone jack was on a PowerBook 145. The jacks have come a long way since then in terms of robustness.

Besides, with this design, if you yank that headphone cord out the wrong way enough times to break the jack, you'll be breaking your power connector, and your phone will be a paperweight. That risk alone makes this quite possibly the single most stupid hardware design idea I've ever heard, and that's saying something.
 
Seems like a lot of outrage about a rumor.
Wireless headphones cost a lot more, while wired earbuds are dirt cheap and widely available. Nobody wants to have to carry spare batteries in case the wireless headphones die. Bluetooth running on the phone uses extra energy. Bluetooth doesn't work half the time, and it's a hassle to re-pair it compared to re-plugging wired headphones. And it would not be a huge problem but would still be frustrating to have to buy an adaptor just to plug it into your car's aux port.

1. False, I bought some "dirt cheap ones" for less than 30 bucks.
http://www.amazon.com/Headphones-TO...48734501&sr=8-3&keywords=bluetooth+headphones

2. You've never used wireless headphones have you? Most of them don't have "spare batteries" to swap out so you don't have to worry about carrying one. I listen to headphones about 6-8 hours a day and they seem to be fine but, YMMV.

3. Bluetooth 4.1 is low energy consumption. Here's some for you! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014EGE9G6?psc=1

4. Your'e right it doesn't work all the time. Unless you're me. Mine work all the time.

5. Will come with an adapter most likely. Will almost guarantee you'll live though this just like we all did when they went from 30pin to lightning.
 
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every single one of you quoting me and bitching and even going so far as to personally attack me (which i could report) will buy one of these phones anyway. none of you will vote with your wallet, youll just continue to bitch until launch day, when youll open your wallet anyway. thats all anyone here does is bitch, but then still buys everything apple sells - its all lip service here.

3.5 mm headphone jacks are trash, its the component that fails every time on a portable device, giving you static unless you spin the headphone cord within the jack to the right point. a lightning port headphone jack will likely eliminate that completely.

I am not attacking you, but I will not be buying one. I just left ios recently. I have NEVER had a 3.5mm headphone jack go out in my life and I am in my 60's, the thing that goes out quicker is the mechanical home button and if the headphone jack is trash the home button is far worse.

I had 2 iphones go out and neither was the headphone jack.
 
The Lightning port should be capable of higher resolution audio. Go ahead Apple, change this ancient technology that exists like gazillions years.

Please explain. At some point the digital signal must be converted to analogue to make the music you hear. It matters not whether it's done inside or outside the phone.

3.5 mm headphone jacks are trash, its the component that fails every time on a portable device, giving you static unless you spin the headphone cord within the jack to the right point. a lightning port headphone jack will likely eliminate that completely.

I have owned literally hundreds of devices in my life with a 3.5mm headphone jack and never ever not even once had one fail...
 
Please explain. At some point the digital signal must be converted to analogue to make the music you hear. It matters not whether it's done inside or outside the phone.

I have owned literally hundreds of devices in my life with a 3.5mm headphone jack and never ever not even once had one fail...

Yes, me too. It's a made up on the spot comment. Going back to the old transistor radios with the single ear plug I have never had one break.
 
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Dear Apple: please see a psychologist to work out your obsession with "thin". It's clearly a pathological issue. The iPhone is too thin already. It's awkward to hold. Knock it off with the thin BS.

Paper industry, please make fat paper! It makes it awkward to hold.
 
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Please explain why "3.5 mm technology is antiquated."?
It is analog signal connector from 19th century. Analog signal, well, has an analog quality, just think of usual S D television.

With lightning, you can have digital signal and better quality, or HD. There is higher density signal or Hi-Res signal which has higher sampling rate than CDs, 24bit/96kHz or even 192kHz.
The standard for Hi-Res is
"Lossless audio that is capable of reproducing the full range of sound from recordings that have been mastered from better than CD-quality music sources."
Read more at http://www.stuff.tv/features/why-yo...it-sceptical-hi-res-audio#IXvRUbVqzux6CIuP.99

Therefore, move to Lightning for headphones means Apple moves to Hi-Res audio.
 
It is analog signal connector from 19th century. Analog signal, well, has an analog quality, just think of usual S D television.

With lightning, you can have digital signal and better quality, or HD. There is higher density signal or Hi-Res signal which has higher sampling rate than CDs, 24bit/96kHz or even 192kHz.
The standard for Hi-Res is
"Lossless audio that is capable of reproducing the full range of sound from recordings that have been mastered from better than CD-quality music sources."
Read more at http://www.stuff.tv/features/why-yo...it-sceptical-hi-res-audio#IXvRUbVqzux6CIuP.99

Therefore, move to Lightning for headphones means Apple moves to Hi-Res audio.

LOL. Time to go back to basics.:D

Again, this move has absolutely nothing to do with high-resolution audio.
 
LOL. Time to go back to basics.:D

Again, this move has absolutely nothing to do with high-resolution audio.

Exactly, it's to shave 1mm off the phone.

"Citing sources familiar with Apple's plans, Mac Otakara reports next year's iPhone, tentatively dubbed "iPhone 7," will come sans headphone jack to accommodate a form factor that supposedly shaves more than 1mm off current iPhone thickness. The change is perhaps inevitable, as the existing 3.5mm industry standard jack module is already a tight fit in Apple's iOS hardware.

As part of the transition to Lightning, Apple will reportedly outfit its gratis EarPods headset with a digital-to-analog converter integrated into its plug. Third-party manufacturers might be forced to follow suit or create a Lightning-to-analog adapter if one is not provided by Apple."
 
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LOL. Time to go back to basics.:D

Again, this move has absolutely nothing to do with high-resolution audio.

Not sure why anyone think moving the DAC into the headphones would be a good thing in any way. In another news... Is this the third or fourth year in a row for this rumor? How long has lightning been out? Apple may eventually do this , but it would be a bad idea. Not kill the company bad, but usability frustrate 99% of your customers bad.

We have hope since they recognized the folly in this with the MacBook. On the flip side recent versions of Bluetooth seem to have the video synch thing cracked so maybe they think that is enough of an alternative.
 
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