Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple's Phil Schiller Recommends Lightning Dock for Charging an iPhone 7 While Listening to Music
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Why I am disappointed with Apples decision about the phono jack.
Discounting the Apple II that I owned in the 1980's, the iPod was the first Apple product that I owned. Music was the reason I bought my first 21st century Apple product. There were other MP3 players out there, some which had features (fm radio, for instance) that the iPod didn't have, but they weren't as easy to use. The simplicity was a large part of what attracted me to use it.
I bought an iMac in 2008, once again because of simplicity. I maintained most of the computers where I worked and I was sick of Windows and all of the configuration problems it had. I recognized that Windows had those problems because you COULD customize just about anything, and you had a large number of vendors to choose from for every component or feature for computers, but when I got home I wanted to use my computer not fix it. I still own and use that computer.
My first smart phone was a Motorola Droid. Although I was happy with it at first, in less than a year there were features and options and apps that I couldn't use because my phone couldn't use the latest Android OS systems. Something was incompatible. In addition, I was still using an iPod Plus for music, which meant I frequently carried 2 devices, which was a pain. This solution was not simple. I had a 2 year contract so I used the Droid/iPod combination for those 2 years.
The next phone was the iPhone 4s, my first iPhone. I could finally quit using the iPod, and load---some-- of my music on my phone. iTunes on the phone was ok, but not great. It definitely wasn't as simple as the iPod was for playing music, but it was a lot easier than carrying the Droid/iPod.
I held onto that phone until the 6 plus. A lot of the simplicity that drew me to Apple was now gone. The iTunes music app on the phone wasn't consistent. Or intuitive. I would learn how to shuffle or download from iMatch and the next upgrade things would change. I also went over my data cap because the phone would use my cell phone wireless to 'improve' download speed. Things are getting less and less simple. Oh, and songs would just disappear, not just from my iPhone but from my collection entirely. The push for wireless connectivity was being lauded as all your music anywhere you want, when you want, but there were bugs and problems. There still are, 3 years later. It isn't seamless. It isn't simple.
I was looking to upgrade this cycle. There are aspects of Apple as a company that I still like. I like that they sell products and not my personal information (as far as I know) to make money. Google doesn't make any bones about the fact they data mine and track where I go, and the Android OS states that they can do this, as long as they don't link your personal information directly to your usage profile. But that isn't hard for companies that buy that data to extrapolate with a very high degree of accuracy. I have also bought a lot of other Apple products, even when other, cheaper versions of those things were available. Routers, Time Capsules, Apple TV, because I wanted simple set up and maintenance . Sometimes it still is. Sometimes it isn't.
And now the iPhone 7. Why is the phono jack important to me? Music was one of the reasons I came to Apple in the first place. The other was simplicity, or probably more accurately, ease of use. But with the iPhone 7 I now need additional cables and/or adapters. Or I need to buy different headphones. Lose the adapters and the expensive headphones I already have are useless with the phone, until I buy another adapter. More cables. Another adapter. Or new headphones whose only advantage is that I don't need the adapter. They won't sound better, in some instances, depending on what I buy, they won't work with ANYTHING but the iPhone 7, not even my iMacs- I am talking about Lightning equipped headphones with cables here- and even some of them use an adapter to make them 'Lightning compatible'. More chargers if I use battery and bluetooth, and I need more cables for those. More cables, more chargers, more adapters. Just to get back to where I am now with the iPhone 6, with no improvement in sound or features.
Discounting the Apple II that I owned in the 1980's, the iPod was the first Apple product that I owned. Music was the reason I bought my first 21st century Apple product. There were other MP3 players out there, some which had features (fm radio, for instance) that the iPod didn't have, but they weren't as easy to use. The simplicity was a large part of what attracted me to use it.
I bought an iMac in 2008, once again because of simplicity. I maintained most of the computers where I worked and I was sick of Windows and all of the configuration problems it had. I recognized that Windows had those problems because you COULD customize just about anything, and you had a large number of vendors to choose from for every component or feature for computers, but when I got home I wanted to use my computer not fix it. I still own and use that computer.
My first smart phone was a Motorola Droid. Although I was happy with it at first, in less than a year there were features and options and apps that I couldn't use because my phone couldn't use the latest Android OS systems. Something was incompatible. In addition, I was still using an iPod Plus for music, which meant I frequently carried 2 devices, which was a pain. This solution was not simple. I had a 2 year contract so I used the Droid/iPod combination for those 2 years.
The next phone was the iPhone 4s, my first iPhone. I could finally quit using the iPod, and load---some-- of my music on my phone. iTunes on the phone was ok, but not great. It definitely wasn't as simple as the iPod was for playing music, but it was a lot easier than carrying the Droid/iPod.
I held onto that phone until the 6 plus. A lot of the simplicity that drew me to Apple was now gone. The iTunes music app on the phone wasn't consistent. Or intuitive. I would learn how to shuffle or download from iMatch and the next upgrade things would change. I also went over my data cap because the phone would use my cell phone wireless to 'improve' download speed. Things are getting less and less simple. Oh, and songs would just disappear, not just from my iPhone but from my collection entirely. The push for wireless connectivity was being lauded as all your music anywhere you want, when you want, but there were bugs and problems. There still are, 3 years later. It isn't seamless. It isn't simple.
I was looking to upgrade this cycle. There are aspects of Apple as a company that I still like. I like that they sell products and not my personal information (as far as I know) to make money. Google doesn't make any bones about the fact they data mine and track where I go, and the Android OS states that they can do this, as long as they don't link your personal information directly to your usage profile. But that isn't hard for companies that buy that data to extrapolate with a very high degree of accuracy. I have also bought a lot of other Apple products, even when other, cheaper versions of those things were available. Routers, Time Capsules, Apple TV, because I wanted simple set up and maintenance . Sometimes it still is. Sometimes it isn't.
And now the iPhone 7. Why is the phono jack important to me? Music was one of the reasons I came to Apple in the first place. The other was simplicity, or probably more accurately, ease of use. But with the iPhone 7 I now need additional cables and/or adapters. Or I need to buy different headphones. Lose the adapters and the expensive headphones I already have are useless with the phone, until I buy another adapter. More cables. Another adapter. Or new headphones whose only advantage is that I don't need the adapter. They won't sound better, in some instances, depending on what I buy, they won't work with ANYTHING but the iPhone 7, not even my iMacs- I am talking about Lightning equipped headphones with cables here- and even some of them use an adapter to make them 'Lightning compatible'. More chargers if I use battery and bluetooth, and I need more cables for those. More cables, more chargers, more adapters. Just to get back to where I am now with the iPhone 6, with no improvement in sound or features.
The AirPods are just what this old man needs since I never listen more than a couple hours at a time to anything and the recharge in the case it ideal. After some experience using I may tether the Left and Right together with a strand of colored monofilament line secured around the microphone stem if either side falls out regularly.
While my perspective is 180 degrees in terms of answering the "why Apple?" question -- when I listen to music I am almost always in my living room using traditional, basic equipment -- I think Tim Cook, et al, would benefit from hearing from folks like you. Maybe consider emailing this to him.
It's not about whether you or Apple are right here, they need to hear from people like you. It's hard to quantify, but it just feels like Tim Cook is more insulated from or has less in common with Apple's users than Jobs was. Even if the this hi-jacking was the right move.
One question on a different note -- will/could Apple make a reverse dongle, so that the included iPhone 7 headphones will work on other devices (likes Macs, e.g.)? Have to assume it's possible, but don't know how hard it would be.
I think the failure to offer an adapter to use the included Lightning headphones on non-Lightning devices, including their own Macs is the biggest mistake here.
When these phones come out, the only people who will be encouraged to use the included Lightning headphones will be those who are already using Apple's earbuds, and only with their iPhone or iPad. Anybody with their own 3.5mm headphones or plan to use the Apple Lightning headphones with anything else, will have no choice but to use the adapter, especially since Apple isn't shipping the AirPods until October.
So they've defeated their whole premise to move customers to a better way by eliminating the headphone jack, by failing to deliver equitable solutions.
That said, the 3.5mm analogue source to Lightning headphone adapter seems pretty simple -- as Lightning is a smart connector, a chip in the adapter indicates to the headphones that an analogue signal is incoming and the headphones bypass the DAC sending the analogue signal straight to the transducers. The more complicated way is an ADC adapter that would have to be continuously powered and convert the analogue signal to digital, which the headphones then convert back to analogue. Possible but not very practical.
At a minimum, I would have been happy to see a digital adapter to convert Lightning to USB-C at a minimum, USB-A and Thunderbolt for widest compatibility. That would have actually encouraged use of Lightning immediately.
As it is, Apple may lose the momentum, and find most customers just keep right on using 3.5mm analogue technology, even after they finally deliver other solutions to market.
I like your comments Mac 128.
I have remained a staunch proponent of keeping the 3.5mm audio jack and see the constant chatter about "well just use an adapter" which always refers to a Lighting to 3.5mm adapter, but that does not take into consideration Apple's entire product line.
So now take the person who purchased a new set of Lighting connected headphones and they want to connect those cool new Lighting headphones to the new MacBook they purchased, well it turns out that MacBook only has two connectors USB-C and a 3.5mm audio jack. Now they are completely screwed because there is no 3.5mm to Lighting converter and I kind of doubt Apple will ever make that kind of adapter.
I think Apple has created a mess. We have the iPhone now with only Lighting. I assume the same will eventually become true with the iPad where Apple abandons the 3.5mm jack on that device, but if not, then what kind of mixed message will that send. Now take the newest MacBook, that device has only two connectors a USB-C and a 3.5mm audio. So if you jump on the Lighting wagon and purchase a new set of Lighting connected headphones, OK sure you can connect them to your iPhone or iPad, but you are totally screwed with your new MacBook, not to mention that those new Lighting connected headphones are probably useless for any other piece of equipment because just about everyone in the world is standardized on 3.5mm.
Yes I get the whole wireless is the future thing and I think there is some merit to that argument, but I think there will continue to be a need for a connected audio solution for decades to come. Apple has just given us a mess of adapters, even within their own product line when reviewing the connectors, and required adapters, within the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and MacBook.
As I was using my Pay Pal credit card swipes tonight I realized that if I upgraded to an iPhone 7 I could no longer use it.
I bet 10 to 1 that dongle won't work with it either.
That means I have to buy a lightning swiper or Bluetooth swiper; if they even exist.
Fail.
I bet 10 to 1 that dongle won't work with it either.
That means I have to buy a lightning swiper or Bluetooth swiper; if they even exist.
Fail.
I own 300 shares of Apple and I am a developer for iOS. So please do not tell me I do not have a say, or that my opinion is irrelevant, or that I should leave the platform.
I do not appreciate Apple removing core functionality that many of its developers' apps and accessories, not to mention the users, rely on for their core functionality. Many devs write music apps where you hook up a MIDI keyboard through the Lightning port with a standard USB cable. The whole market for apps like these has come about because iPhone has analog audio out. GuitarCenter has a whole section for iOS music accessories now; it's a big deal. It is not some insignificant toy; this is the only niche market that iOS really has left where Android simply cannot do the same thing.
I see a lot of kids getting into music because for less than a hundred bucks you can get a USB controller, hook it up to the iPhone over USB to Lightning, then hook up the iPhone's analog output to a computer for recording, or an amp for playing at an open mic or show, etc. It's a hugely empowering thing that I really wish we'd had when I was a kid.
But now Apple will hurt all those kids and poor people who want to get into music on the iPhone. By requiring an expensive ($50+) hard-to-find adapter to get an analog output out of the device while your MIDI keyboard is hooked up, Apple has significantly increased the barrier to entry for being an iOS musician. Because of how this will limit who can afford to be an iOS musician, it will shrink the market for iOS music apps and other accessories.
I simply cannot fathom how they could have done this to all those poor kids who just want to play music. All for what... a bigger taptic vibration engine?
It makes me so sick.
We'll know next week. I've ordered one myself.
But, if the adapter supports all the functions of the 3.5mm wired EarPods, then it should support anything the headphone jack supports. I'm a little skeptical that it will support all functions, if only because Apple adapters tend to drop support, as they didn't support video with the 30-pin adapter.
But if it supports analogue in with an ADC, then it really shouldn't function any differently than a normal headphone port. This article seems to confirm it will:
http://www.macworld.com/article/311...h-apples-iphone-7-headphone-jack-adapter.html
And yes, if not, both Lightning and BT credit card readers exist, which will upgrade you to chip card and contactless cards in the process.
Last edited:
This is simply false. That is NOT what analog means. Where did you even get this ludicrous idea from?
You should really watch this video, which dispells many false myths that (even some intelligent) people actually believe:
What this video shows is that if you play a digital AIFF of a sine wave sound, and look at an analog oscilliscope reading of it, it will be totally identical to a sine wave that came from a fully analog signal path. The same applies for other types of waveforms that have been digitized, then turned back into analog waveforms.
The point is that an analog signal coming out of a DAC is indistinguishable from one that was never converted to digital in the first place. The reason why people think analog "sounds better" has to do with other reasons that I will not go into here, but suffice it to say you should spend some time lurking on the gearslutz.com forums for awhile and get your head straight, before you make any further embarassingly wrong comments.
Note: music synthesizer apps don't compress their audio, so there is no point in talking about compression in the context of my qualms.
This is also false. There is no such thing as "true analog." Dave Smith Instruments and even Moog now use digital oscillators as the signal generators in their analog synths, because it does not matter, or make any difference. Once the signal is analog, it is identical no matter whether it came from an analog or digital source.
NO, don't misunderstand me. I still think they should not have removed the 3.5mm port. Most people, including me, find it very inconvenient and annoying to need a crappy dongle adapter for a basic function that we use every day, like audio output.
My point was just that I personally would have been able to cope with it had they at least replaced the 3.5mm port with a Lightning port, instead of replacing it with no second port. That is the worst thing they could have done because rather than solving the cable problem, it makes it worse; now I need to shell out $50-150 and attach an order of magnitude MORE cables to accomplish the same thing as before.
For example, the Korg plugKey is a Lightning-to-MIDI/Audio adapter for musicians. It is $99. Korg brags about its official certification, but since it only has a 4-inch cable, how are you supposed to use it if you are holding the phone or wearing it in an arm case, etc.? Simple physics tells us that such a hub adapter, once it has four or five long and heavy cables plugged in, is going to easily come unplugged out of the bottom of the phone, because it will have significant forces tugging on it and weighing on it. This is worse than useless at a live show.
So therefore you'll need a Lightning male-to-female cable. However, none exist that have MFI certification, from what I could gather in about 2 hours of searching, and a visit to my local Apple store. The Apple employee just blankly stared at me when I asked for a "Lightning extension cable."
You have absolutely no data to back up your claim about what "most people" don't need. You are stating your personal opinion as if it were a fact. Personally, I think your mind seems divorced from logic and reason.
I doubt that even Apple believes that most people don't use the two ports simultaneously on a regular basis. I believe that Apple knows that people use the two ports all time, to charge while driving and playing music, to keep their device charged while using a Square credit card swiper as they run their business, to hook up a MIDI keyboard and an amp, etc.
They know this, but because they have lost the ability to grow their business by creatively innovating, now they are resorting to what most companies do, which is tell their customers to bend over, and take it, and like it. They know that we will HAVE to buy these various adapters and cables and hubs and crap to keep living our digigal lives, and they think this will make them more profit.
That is the ONLY logical explanation for why they would cripple the device like they have done.
And how much will this cost? What effect will forcing users to buy it have on the barrier to entry for apps like Korg Gadget or Square? You say these are niches but you have no data to back up your claims. I think these are the only markets left where Apple was holding a significant technical and features advantage over the likes of Samsung.
But the real problem is that the days are gone where Apple can ask its customers to bend over and expect them to stick around because of how much better the product is. Nowadays there is a much slimmer margin in perceived quality between iPhone and Galaxy. They had a golden opportunity to capitalize on the Galaxy's explosion issues; but what do they do? Hose themselves with no stock levels for upgraders and removing a core feature that will result in many people simply not upgrading, or possibly even leaving the platform.
No, it is also going to upset people who do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on proprietary accessories that, for all we know, they will force us to re-buy once again in another three or four years. What happens when they get wireless charging? Will they take off lightning too? It does beg the question; people had only just forgotten about having to rebuy all their charging cables when 30-pin was ditched. And now this? It is very, very upsetting to a great number of consumers, judging from the reaction in social media and online. No one that I know was happy about this.
Yes, it hurts me more than others, but it is still insane. Don't fool yourself.
You can bet that as a stockholder, a developer, and a 32-year customer, they will be hearing from me on this one. Minimalism does not mean removing core functionality and core compatibility. It does not mean hurting your developers, creative, and educational customers by raising the bar to entry for things like music education, which is underfunded enough as it is.
There are so many arguments against this nonsense, and yet amongst all of it, there is not one good reason why they really needed to do this.
If they were going to do this, the very least they could have done is to give us some kind of external wireless receiver that brings in the audio output stream from the device and plays it out through analog outputs with no compression or latency, and included that with the iPhone for free. THAT, I would have been on board with! But no, Apple, the richest company in the world, could not think of what its customers would actually prefer or want. It could not see this because... why?
I don't want to say it's because they lack a visionary leader, because I mean, I think the Mac Pro Cylinder was an incredibly innovative and visionary product that will change computing (just wait and see). But we are not even talking about the future or anything; we are talking about the present, about how people already use their devices.
I honestly wish I worked at Apple so I could help them not make mistakes like this.
Last edited:
You sir, had the best point of view than everyone else, combined.
It really just comes down to business unfortunately. Reading your (story?) post, I actually felt a little sickened. I don't know, in a business decision, I would choose to keep it (me, as a consumer, I have Bluetooth headphones I use, so personally have no use for the headphone jack), you on the other hand, it's more personal. Hopefully, a third party vendor will make something that will work since the demand may go up?
Thank you for actually understanding. I am not as unique a case as you might think; I am usually one of the first early adopters, but then after me, they come in waves. I was the first person that I knew, who used an iPad for live music performance; it was in May 2010. Now, as I mentioned, Guitar Center has a whole section dedicated to music production on iOS devices, both iPhones and iPads are commonly used. Sure, the iPad is the mainstay of iOS music, but as soon as I got my hands on the 5.5" phone, it was obvious that it is an amazing music creation and performance device, even moreso than the iPad.
The iPhone 7 with its super fast chip and 256GB of memory can replace whole banks of gear. But musicians need the low barrier for entry, and we need some kind of included, zero latency audio output that is independent of how you charge the device or hook up a MIDI controller. Because it's a portable phone designed for your pocket, having to carry hubs and adapters around is just ridiculous.
I am just really getting tired of Apple dicking us over and not considering our needs. For example I was livid when I learned that my iPad Pro 12" could not be used and stay charged at the same time even with the supplied 12W adapter attached, because it actually requires a 35W adapter to provide enough power to use it and not lose charge. I found this out when it went from 20% to 0% battery during a show despite being plugged into the mains!! I paid over $1200 for this!!!
[doublepost=1473568859][/doublepost]
Apple worked closely with Belkin on this. The very existence of this adapter the day after the iPhone 7 was released demonstrates conclusively that Apple was aware that this was going to be a problem, and it was going to be necessary to resolve prior to the phones starting to ship.
So there's no point in debating whether it's something people need to do, Apple already KNEW customers did this, in significant enough numbers that they sought out Belkin and worked with them to make sure an adapter would be ready in time to solve the problem before it came up. And they used Belkin so as to avoid the appearance they made a mistake in removing the headphone jack by releasing a whole bevy of Apple adapters to replace the functionality they removed with the 3.5mm Jack, not to mention the cynical view that they removed the jack to charge customers for numerous adapters to provide the same functionality they lost.
Exactly. They knew. Of course they did.
The worst part of this whole thing is they added insult to injury by only having stuff like this piece of crap, which is totally useless! Look how short its cable is! Don't they realize people actually hold the phones in their hands while they listen to music? Don't they realize that people are driving and may need to put the phone in a holder? Or wear their phones on their arms while running or performing?
I mean, Belkin is who makes the sports case that I use to wear my iPhone on my arm... so I know they know this!
So how is someone who wears the phone on their arm, or puts it in their pocket, or holds in their hand, or puts it in a holder while driving, supposed to do all of that with the above-pictured piece of junk hanging off of it, getting in the way, coming unplugged, and going through the washing machine every week? Getting chewed up by the dog? Falling off on the bus or in a movie theater? Getting left at home or in the car? And then not being there when you actually need it? And even with this junk, still needing ANOTHER adapter just to plug in a stereo cable? What a mess.
Anyway... Apple has erred before; this is not the first time. I just hope they actually learn from this and take it to heart, instead of arrogantly acting like this wasn't a big time mistake. To me, the "Maps" problem was nothing compared to this. The Antenna-gate was nothing compared to this. Because this is not just some little 'gate' that can be fixed by issuing a software update or giving out some free cases.
This is gimping two iPhone models permanently.
I am happy for all of you who are not affected by this, or at least, who think you are not affected... I hope you are right, and the day never comes when you find yourself unable to use your device as intended because of this. But yeah, I hope they do something to make this right.
An iPhone 7 is going to cost from $650 to $970. A $50 workaround is just 6-8% of the iPhone´s cost. You should always budget about 10-20% of the iPhone´s cost for additional accessories, apps, services and other stuff.
Found an article that might interest you guys in the wake of Apple ditching the jack. It's actually quite informative, offers a lot of insight into many well known brands and, surprisingly, how they already knew this was going to happen well far in advance. It might offer a peace of mind for those who are skeptic about this transitional shift - http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/9/12...t=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Wow, you seem to have an option.
Since articles about what an ideal DAC does and what the actual ones do are easy to find on the net I’ll just assume you can do that research yourself.
And if the one-time cost of a hub case is a financial barrier then maybe they need to be in another business, ditto if the change from 30 pin to lightning gave them the vapors.
Upgrading equipment is part of running a business. If you can’t afford it you keep using the old until you either can or you fall behind the competition who can so far you go out of business.
Yes, Apple decided one powered data port was enough for their market particularly when that single powered data port can be multipled by anyone who needs more. Thankfully they still offer a single data port with an additional legacy port for those that absolutely must have it.
The chances of it coming back are very low, I sincerely suggest adapting but honestly don’t care if you decide to or not.
Take care.
Since articles about what an ideal DAC does and what the actual ones do are easy to find on the net I’ll just assume you can do that research yourself.
And if the one-time cost of a hub case is a financial barrier then maybe they need to be in another business, ditto if the change from 30 pin to lightning gave them the vapors.
Upgrading equipment is part of running a business. If you can’t afford it you keep using the old until you either can or you fall behind the competition who can so far you go out of business.
Yes, Apple decided one powered data port was enough for their market particularly when that single powered data port can be multipled by anyone who needs more. Thankfully they still offer a single data port with an additional legacy port for those that absolutely must have it.
The chances of it coming back are very low, I sincerely suggest adapting but honestly don’t care if you decide to or not.
Take care.
When you have to move forward with backward compatibility thats the best you can hope for
[doublepost=1473577220][/doublepost]
Are you delusional? You put "poor people who want to get into music" and "iPhone" in the same sentence. Literally EVERYTHING is cheaper to get into making music than an iPhone, especially the latest model. Your argument is flawed.
My MIDI controller works over BT, and I have a 3$ ebay BT>3.5mm dongle to connect all my devices to my cheapzy 1980s JVC HiFi tower. It's a century old standard, get over it.
Oh wow. If you have money for the 5.5" iPhone, then you can afford a crossplatform crossgeneration interface like this:
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/duet
there are more, and there are cheaper.
actually, anything serious for performing calls for an audio interface. any engineer will shudder if they need to pull an unbalanced connection from stage to their board across the venue...
seriously, the more you talk about it the less sense you make.
Last edited:
(laughing) Oh Phil, we're using it wrong. 
How many of us use headphones in the car, b/c we can't afford a car which has this inbuilt? And how many of us are using the iPhone as a navigational device which requires energy? Darling, dear, thanks for Belkin offering an adapter, Apple might have thought of that too.
I find it staggering that Apple wants to have all the users from teens to the elderly but forgets that those have different needs. If you focus on high-end customers you can ignore the low end customers like me, who doesn't care about expensive cars. But if you foster me, you've got to go all the way.
Apple has become so inconsistent and it drives me crazy, because it used to have a clear line.
Example:
You want money, you appeal to the age-range 35-45 and potentially 45+ if you're not stupid. However, that is the time when eye-sight fails, thanks for a font that is amazingly hard to read, though very stylish for the younger ones.
You want the younger age group and appeal with text messages but fail to understand that many of the younger age groups have friends who use Android. Forget about imessage and they end up with WhatsApp, why foster iMessage if you fail to understand your target group? (BTW, I'm not looking forward to the new iMessage, but then I'm old.)
You want to get rid of the audio jack - fine by me, but if you only offer me one lightning adapter I end up buying an adapter from Belkin and a new headphone (forget about Bluetooth, because dear Apple: I LOVE MUSIC, it's in my DNA, though you may have forgotten about it. Bluetooth is by far a terrible sound experience), thanks for the added costs - and raising the price at the same time.
Apple, do your homework. Sit down: Which target group needs what and think about who's contributing the most to your success.
How many of us use headphones in the car, b/c we can't afford a car which has this inbuilt? And how many of us are using the iPhone as a navigational device which requires energy? Darling, dear, thanks for Belkin offering an adapter, Apple might have thought of that too.I find it staggering that Apple wants to have all the users from teens to the elderly but forgets that those have different needs. If you focus on high-end customers you can ignore the low end customers like me, who doesn't care about expensive cars. But if you foster me, you've got to go all the way.
Apple has become so inconsistent and it drives me crazy, because it used to have a clear line.
Example:
You want money, you appeal to the age-range 35-45 and potentially 45+ if you're not stupid. However, that is the time when eye-sight fails, thanks for a font that is amazingly hard to read, though very stylish for the younger ones.
You want the younger age group and appeal with text messages but fail to understand that many of the younger age groups have friends who use Android. Forget about imessage and they end up with WhatsApp, why foster iMessage if you fail to understand your target group? (BTW, I'm not looking forward to the new iMessage, but then I'm old.
)You want to get rid of the audio jack - fine by me, but if you only offer me one lightning adapter I end up buying an adapter from Belkin and a new headphone (forget about Bluetooth, because dear Apple: I LOVE MUSIC, it's in my DNA, though you may have forgotten about it. Bluetooth is by far a terrible sound experience), thanks for the added costs - and raising the price at the same time.
Apple, do your homework. Sit down: Which target group needs what and think about who's contributing the most to your success.
(laughing) Oh Phil, we're using it wrong.
I find it staggering that Apple wants to have all the users from teens to the elderly but forgets that those have different needs. If you focus on high-end customers you can ignore the low end customers like me, who doesn't care about expensive cars. But if you foster me, you've got to go all the way.
Apple has become so inconsistent and it drives me crazy, because it used to have a clear line.
Example:
You want money, you appeal to the age-range 35-45 and potentially 45+ if you're not stupid. However, that is the time when eye-sight fails, thanks for a font that is amazingly hard to read, though very stylish for the younger ones.
You want the younger age group and appeal with text messages but fail to understand that many of the younger age groups have friends who use Android. Forget about imessage and they end up with WhatsApp, why foster iMessage if you fail to understand your target group? (BTW, I'm not looking forward to the new iMessage, but then I'm old.
You want to get rid of the audio jack - fine by me, but if you only offer me one lightning adapter I end up buying an adapter from Belkin and a new headphone (forget about Bluetooth, because dear Apple: I LOVE MUSIC, it's in my DNA, though you may have forgotten about it. Bluetooth is by far a terrible sound experience), thanks for the added costs - and raising the price at the same time.
Apple, do your homework. Sit down: Which target group needs what and think about who's contributing the most to your success.
Using headphones in your car is a hazard. I'm glad you won't be able to do that anymore...
As far as cars go, the solutions for low-end costumers are super simple. My last car had a standard aftermarket radio which came with a USB port and "iPod" support. It cost 60$, and it played music from my iphone via lightning.
My current car came with a ****** oem non-replacable radio, and I had to buy a 60$ device posing as a CD changer, and I can now use my iPhone with lightning in this car as well.
I'm really amused how everybody on the forum seems to know what an average user wants better than a company that has been making enormous profits on the average users for more than a decade. Yeah okay, we should hire you for marketing. or not.
Bluetooth is a wonderful sound experience by the way... It can throughput uncompressed PCM with ease. (24mbps) CD audio is 1,4mpbs.
Everything you people against the removal of the headphone jack are citing are technical falacies and anecdotes...