'Fuze' Case for iPhone 7 Aims to Bring Back the 3.5mm Headphone Jack

[Mac 128]

I don't understand this case, it doesnt have a bottom chin, but there's not nearly enough room for the headphone jack placed on the case as shown in the video. I thought this would be behind the phone, but this is right up near the edge of the front.

So far I have had no issues with the lightning earpods. The slightly longer battery life means that since I got my iPhone7 I have not had to charge it until I go to sleep so this has not been an issue. However the really bad video did make a case for things like square that currently work off the jack. My guess is that they will be creating a lightning version of the square adapter soon. But for folks using the phone for things like square or other add-on, i do see a potential need for two lightning connector since this would require the phone to charge during the day.

Have you tried plugging the Lightning EarPods into anything without a Lightning port? Since there's no way to do that, I'd assume you only use your headphones with the iPhone and nothing else, ever -- because that would be a problem.

The square card reader works with the included adapter.

I would love to know why Apple seemingly won't license the Lightning port to third parties like they have with Thunderbolt. Why can't any battery cases (except the ones Apple makes themselves) have a Lightning port for charging instead of micro USB?

Obviously to the extent they did not license it, they are now with the forthcoming Belkin splitter/adapter. Although te decision may have been the manufacturers as my understanding is that each Lightning connector was an additional cost. Going micro-USB in most cases would have been cheaper and used a fairly common standard.
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Am I the only one who thinks that people who want an audio jack should buy an iPhone with an audio jack?

They can then leave the iPhone 7 for people who don't use an audio jack on their iPhone.

I understand that people are annoyed at the lack of this port but, honestly, you don't have to upgrade!

I don't disagree. With the exception of the 7 Plus for the camera, I don't really see any compelling reason to buy more than the 6s, however good-looking the new black colors are. Functionally the 6s is a great option. The problem will come next Fall when iPhones with headphone jacks will only be available at the entry level. So right now it's a no-brained. Next year, it's a problem.

 

[naeS1Sean]

Is it really that horrible to not have a headphone jack???

 

[Bryan Bowler]

That video was flat-out rotten! I don't care what they're selling, after watching that video, I wouldn't buy from them even if you paid me to do so!

 

[BruceEBonus]

You couldn't make it up. Oh wait.
Hang on - they just did!
How about a screen reducer to make the massive display smaller?.
A white case to cover the black finish?
A huge battery to account for the one supplied?
You see - there's a solution for everything if you try hard enough.

Now. Pass me the shoulder straps to affix to the stereo speaker orifices and ...

Voila! I have now solved the portability issue of the 7 Plus.

Come on Samsung. You'll have to up your game if you expect to compete with these cracking new 'innovations'. Get in!

 

[LotusLord]

They should have gone ahead and thrown in Qi charging as well. It's not a bad idea, but I wouldn't back it. There are quite a few case manufacturers out there with experience that I suspect will do something like this down the line. I'm also not really in the market for a few months so we'll see what happens.

 

[zorinlynx]

Can I just ask where you got that info from please?

I work on a college campus. I haven't seen too many iPhone 7/7+ in the wild yet, but the few I've seen were being used with the lightning earpods.

Myself I've been using a four year old Swage bluetooth headset, but mostly to watch videos and listen to podcasts since the sound quality is not great for music. I want to try out the AirPods when they come out, and if they aren't good enough, will probably pick up the Bose QC35.

 

[JosephAW]

Their promotional video just killed their startup. Can't take it serious.

 

[2457282]

Have you tried plugging the Lightning EarPods into anything without a Lightning port? Since there's no way to do that, I'd assume you only use your headphones with the iPhone and nothing else, ever -- because that would be a problem.

The square card reader works with the included adapter.

No, I never wear the earpods other than when I am on the phone. Very rarely to listen to music. Normally I use actual speakers to hear music. I am a bit of a old fart, so when commuting on the bus/train, i don't wear them so that I can be present to my surroundings and people (not that many are able to engage me since they are plugged into their iphones - today for example I was on the bus and there were eight people around me in tight quarters, seven with iphones and one samsung. Of the eight 6 were jacked in with something in their ears. I stared out the window and enjoyed people watching).

And to your point about square - good point, I did not think that it would work with the adapter, but good to hear it does.

 

[Nicksd84]

If you have a battery case why do you need to charge and listen at the same time?

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

Can I just ask where you got that info from please?

From my own anecdotal observations. I was in NYC over the weekend, and the vase majority of those walking around with headphones of some sort were using white earbuds which looked suspiciously like the included Apple earbuds.

Are you refuting this observation, or just being snarky?

 

[iSee]

For pete's sake, get some Bluetooth headphones.

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

Have you tried plugging the Lightning EarPods into anything without a Lightning port? Since there's no way to do that, I'd assume you only use your headphones with the iPhone and nothing else, ever -- because that would be a problem.

I have no problem with Apple removing the headphone jack, but THIS is the problem with lightning headphones. You cannot use them anywhere else. Which means, I would never purchase a set of lightning earpbuds, headphones, etc. You cannot even use them on a Mac.

Again, I’m fine with the removal. I’ll just use the included adapter which if 100% fine. But it would have at least been nice to have cross-platform compatibility. Say, ditching lightning for USB-C, and making USB-C headphones. Works on the MacBook, and presumably upcoming hardware as well.

Edit: I forgot about Apple’s cross-platform solution. AirPods. Works on every current piece of hardware they sell. There goes another $149!

 

[Jozone]

Yes, the entire video was cringe-worthy*, but as an aspiring motion graphics editor, this is what got to me:

What lazy matte generation!

EDIT: I took a few minutes to fix it. It would've been quicker without the original lazy job

*I'm presuming; I actually watched the whole thing while wearing earplugs 'cause I woke up recently.

Maybe its too early for me, but what did you fix?

 

[Porco]

Maybe its too early for me, but what did you fix?

Pay attention to the text as the guy crosses it, and compare. His Grandma would be appalled!

Am I the only one who thinks that people who want an audio jack should buy an iPhone with an audio jack?

They can then leave the iPhone 7 for people who don't use an audio jack on their iPhone.

I understand that people are annoyed at the lack of this port but, honestly, you don't have to upgrade!

Well at some point people will have to upgrade, if they want a fully functional iPhone that gets software updates. There may not be an iPhone that has an integrated headphone socket at that point. Not sure of the relevance of your point in relation to an external, entirely optional case...?

I guess my answer to your point would be that I don't think people generally buy a smartphone for purely one feature (or lack of it) - it's a balance of different features, usually including some that one would like to be slightly different, some that suit perfectly, then you make the compromise, based on what you find most important.

But again, this product, or others like it, will address some things some people care about, and others do not. The people who care enough about the issues it addresses will pay for it and not mind the extra bulk. Those who don't, won't. So I think this product, or others like it, could be a good option for people who don't want to deal with a dangly-dongle decision day.

 

[AngerDanger]

Maybe its too early for me, but what did you fix?

The text disappearing behind his head.

 

[44267547]

The 3.5 Jack is gone from the iPhone. It's how it is now. If third party manufacturers want to make a work around and customers are willing to pay a premium, then great. But the overall built in convenience of the jack is gone. There is no bringing the jack back though, no matter what solutions third party companies develop.

 

[GabrielMoro]

I had this idea months ago. Many of my ideas over the years have become successful products, but I don't know anything about tooling or Chinese supply chains. However I do know a thing or two about visual design, user experience design and marketing. Sometimes I wish I was an industrial designer. Everything I design is intangible. Websites, apps, branding, etc. Even print pieces and photography are fairly two-dimensional and can't really be "grabbed on to."

I built a large workbench from scratch and just finished it last night. It's decent for a first attempt at building something large out of wood. Now I can teach myself to make more complex things from wood, and hopefully someday I can afford a CNC machine and 3D printer. Although 3D printer prices have really come down. Then there's the fact that I'm only halfway decent with piecing together electronics. I'm just frustrated that I've squandered all these ideas over the years because I don't know how to pull them out of my head and make them happen. I wish I had a business partner or something who was good at this sort of thing who could help me out.

Keep applying yourself, train and you'll be able to do whatever you put your mind into.

 

[B4U]

The sad part is Apple didn't even try to make a better one like this than the ugly baby bump battery case!

 

[Soni Sanjay]

Already pre-ordered.

 

[AntoineLec]

Already pre-ordered.

Don't hold your breast until it is delivered. Just a friendly advice..

 

[B4U]

Don't hold your breast until it is delivered. Just a friendly advice..

I think you mean breath...?

 

[Mac 128]

No, I never wear the earpods other than when I am on the phone. Very rarely to listen to music. Normally I use actual speakers to hear music. I am a bit of a old fart, so when commuting on the bus/train, i don't wear them so that I can be present to my surroundings and people (not that many are able to engage me since they are plugged into their iphones - today for example I was on the bus and there were eight people around me in tight quarters, seven with iphones and one samsung. Of the eight 6 were jacked in with something in their ears. I stared out the window and enjoyed people watching).

And to your point about square - good point, I did not think that it would work with the adapter, but good to hear it does.

Well to be fair, even though the Square card reader, and likely any other headphone jack device that was previously compatible with the iPhone, will still work, it won't be as convenient as it was before. The included wired adapter means, you'll have to awkwardly hold the iPhone, while holding the card reader itself, as you slide the card. It will be a little harder to manage the transaction that way. A nice stiff Lightning adapter is what's needed so you can use the Square card reader just the way you used to.

I have no problem with Apple removing the headphone jack, but THIS is the problem with lightning headphones. You cannot use them anywhere else. Which means, I would never purchase a set of lightning earpbuds, headphones, etc. You cannot even use them on a Mac.

Again, I’m fine with the removal. I’ll just use the included adapter which if 100% fine. But it would have at least been nice to have cross-platform compatibility. Say, ditching lightning for USB-C, and making USB-C headphones. Works on the MacBook, and presumably upcoming hardware as well.

Edit: I forgot about Apple’s cross-platform solution. AirPods. Works on every current piece of hardware they sell. There goes another $149!

I don't agree with you about going USB-C (can you imagine if people had to replace their headphones, or use an adapter, AND replace all of their Lightning cables and accessories, and buy more adapters?), but totally agree it's ridiculous to sell the iPhone 7 with a pair of Lightning EarPods and not have an adapter available to use them on anything else. They might as well have included a pair of old 3.5mm EarPods along with the adapter and saved themselves the money.

In short, they've done nothing to encourage the use of the Lightning EarPods or headphones, and everything to promote the continued use of 3.5mm headphones. Totally botched it.

 

[BrentD]

I like the idea of cases that add multiple types of functionality.. Battery plus a 3.5" jack? Nice.

3.5 inch jack? That would look ridiculous!

 

[ke-iron]

This is DOA.

 

[djbuddha]

That video was flat-out rotten! I don't care what they're selling, after watching that video, I wouldn't buy from them even if you paid me to do so!

AGREED 1000000%