And I don't have to carry this device with me to charge them up when I'm away for a week? And will they charge while I"m using them on a plane? didn't think so. I'll take the wired version because wireless means I just have to carry more stuff around, like chargers. Ironic eh?
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How Apple Dropped the Ball in Handling the Removal of the Headphone Jack
- Thread starter MICHAELSD
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And I don't have to carry this device with me to charge them up when I'm away for a week? And will they charge while I"m using them on a plane? didn't think so. I'll take the wired version because wireless means I just have to carry more stuff around, like chargers. Ironic eh?
Right, just like you don't have to carry the charging cube around with you now?
This device would take the place of what you're already carrying. The plane you're on will likely have the devices built in -- a few wireless power distribution hubs will be a lot less expensive than a power outlet at every seat don't you think? And you'll likely find wireless distribution hubs at public places like Starbucks (they already have free loaner wireless charging mats and adapters), and shopping malls, and hotels, and your friends will likely have them for themselves.
It will actually be easier for you. You might not have to carry anything ever again.
Am I the only one concerned about having a wireless device attached to my head for 3 hours commuting every day?
Are there studies showing how safe it is?
Are there studies showing how safe it is?
No, do the maths it would add a charger, not replace one. My current headphones don't need one, they plug in using the very convenient and ubiquitous 3.5mm jack. Just how exactly would the charger for my headphones replace the one for my iPad or my laptop?
The solution to this already existed - the 3.5mm jack. It's really simple to use too. And despite what Apple tells you where wasn't a problem that needed fixing other than making the iPhone a little fatter so there was room for the new stuff - oh and a bigger battery that we would all find useful!
We're talking about the future. You're clearly stuck in the past. No need to debate further. Have a good day.
The issue with removing the 3.5mm jack is just that everyone is used to having one now. While the tide is changing to all wireless, Bluetooth audio still leaves questions of lag and quality which can be an issue for audiophiles and people that want audio synced across rooms via Bluetooth. Apple's new Airpods are pretty good IMO since they should be effortless to use by design which is why I will be purchasing them. They are cheaper and easier to use than competing Bluetooth headphones in similar sizes. Audio quality from the Airpods should be good enough for most people but will probably not be up to studio monitor quality. So realistically, Apple IMO didn't really give any good excuses to cut out the 3.5mm jack besides it being a step in the right direction which many will find abrasive since they probably own 3.5mm jack devices. I own studio monitors but the 3.5mm jack sometimes has issues with connection especially over multiple uses. So while I understand why Apple removed the 3.5mm jack, they haven't actually provided a universal solution for all of their devices besides the Airpods and the new Beats headphones which will connect to all Apple devices wirelessly. For those wanting wired solutions, it will require them to purchase different connectors for their devices. It's an imperfect world and Apple knows it. At least we are moving forward instead of always maintaining legacy devices. For those that resist change and transformation, their days are limited on the Apple ecosystem.
Yes but, Apple has always been about streamlining and perfecting the user experience. A dongle is not streamlined. No one wants to use a dongle either. No one. I think it's contradictory to what we all know the apple system to be, user friendly. And I'd argue that USB C has as much market penetration at this point as Thunderbolt and it's been around nearly 8 years. It's brand new, will take time, but at least it's a standard we can plan around.
The absolute LAST thing I want to see is Apple bring the Lightning connector to its computer models. Considering the 12 inch MacBook has only a single USB C port, I'd really rather see them add a second one of those that can be used for charging, video, audio, external drives etc than have them place a thunderbolt port that only works for headphones-- only the headphones that came with the iPhone.
Maybe it was time for the headphone jack to go. But now tech companies have to build headphones for three different connectors: traditional headphone jack that works on billions of existing devices, USB C which is rapidly being added to android phones, laptops and computer on both the windows and apple platforms and has intels full intention to be the new standard, and of course lightning-- which is on the iPhone 7, only the iPhone 7, and nothing else. What a disaster this is.
At the end of the day, sometimes it's cool to be first to a new technology, although sometimes it really isn't. Apple has definitely shook the market before by removing the DVD drive from laptops because most users never used them and it significantly freed up space. People reacted poorly, but Apple was right- we didn't need it. But I don't think this situation is the same.
iPhone 7 forces the accessory market to shift to make a third connection type for lightning and hopefully will push better Bluetooth audio quality. Unfortunately, the iPhone 7 will probably be a relic before we see a solid product lineup that has adapted to the new requirements and doesn't come with sticker shock. This happened with thunderbolt- by the time peripherals had become cheap enough and plentiful enough to buy, they were a TB standard behind the newest connectors and so forth. Soon, Intel is abandoning the Mini DisplayPort for the USB C connector which will carry TB 3. By then, I have a feeling Intel will push the market to USB C and lightning will be on the shelf next to FireWire.
When it comes to headphones, I'm w little biased because the Apple earbuds do not fit my ears at all. I give them away to friends the moment I open the box on a new iPhone.
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You brought up good points about audio quality with the wireless equipment. It's still far behind wired connections. Not to mention the very under researched health effects and poor battery life.
Apple did move forward, but sadly in a different direction than the rest of the market. If Apple had killed the headphone jack and replaced lightning with USB C I think we'd be on the right track. That's the real opportunity to unify the market, the industry. Creating a platform that everyone can work from will allow the most innovation and improvement to the market.
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Here's why I am looking forward to the wireless ear buds, AirPods:
1. I like buds over those ancient old fashion 60s - 70s stereo headphones made so popular today. I really disliked having my head clamped and ears bent no matter how comfy and noise canceling they are/were.
2. I tried BT buds which had a wire connecting the two sides they still had a noose around my neck.
3. The AirPods look like they will be very light.
Cons to them:
1. Charger
2. I'm more likely to lose one.
3. Forgetting to charge them when I need them.
In the end I'll probably buy them.
1. I like buds over those ancient old fashion 60s - 70s stereo headphones made so popular today. I really disliked having my head clamped and ears bent no matter how comfy and noise canceling they are/were.
2. I tried BT buds which had a wire connecting the two sides they still had a noose around my neck.
3. The AirPods look like they will be very light.
Cons to them:
1. Charger
2. I'm more likely to lose one.
3. Forgetting to charge them when I need them.
In the end I'll probably buy them.
By the time USB-C reaches any kind of market saturation, the iPhone 7 and Lightning will be a relic. Organizing behind a new USB standard is not the future of mobile electronic audio, wireless is. But until Apple can afford to bundle their AirPods in the box with the iPhone and sell them for $29, then Lightning will be there for all Apple products, not just the iPhone 7. MagSafe was a proprietary Apple standard as well. That's what's being removed for Lightning on the MBP an MBA. So any non-iOS customers will be able to use it for charging if nothing else. On the rMB, with its single USBc Port non-iOS customers will at least have the option of second port even if it requires and adapter. I don't see the problem since it already requires a USBc adapter for literally everything as there are not a lot of USBc products on the market to speak of. Apple customers expect more and deserve better.
I find it amusing that you make a point out of Apple's focus on wireless, but then point to adding more ports. In two years time, Apple will likely remove the Lightning port form the iPhone and make it entirely wireless. At that point, Apple just might remove Lightning from the MacBooks. It makes no difference except for the hear and now, when convenience matters, not what someone may want to plug into the MacBook 4 years from now when it likely won't even matter anymore.
Headphone makers would be foolish to make headphones, at least good quality ones, without a detachable headphone cable. Most will likely make one set of headphones and offer three different cables. Some may even offer hybrid cables with ports for all three connection methods. The same set of headphones only need a BT radio and antenna to become wireless.
So there's really no problem here.
Agreed with the headphone cable approach. My current ones have a detachable cable, but that really only works with over the ear types.
I agree that everything is definitely going wireless, but it's far from being there. Battery technology is drastically holding back the tech industry. Until it substantially improved, it's challenging to make wireless products that perform as well as their wired counterparts. If we're talking audio, many will point out the reduction in quality over Bluetooth compared to wired connections.
I've owned several Bluetooth headsets and headphones over the years and I always go back to a wired set. Wireless devices need charged, paired etc. Something that seems easy, but when forgotten about, makes them useless.
Whether we are talking about data storage, audio quality or even charging, we're a long way off from a wireless world.
When it comes to ports, the laptop market is a strange place. Apple is shifting its laptop to a full mobile (less ports) device that's intended to use a dock of some type for connecting to multiple devices when home. The MacBook pros still retain many of those ports for the power users that do more work while on the move. I think the shift will continue to less ports, but just one is kind of silly.
But it's not an issue of what can be done or that a solution exists: it's how elegant and convenient that solution is. Three different ports for getting analog audio is not elegant, convenient, or innovative.
I don't disagree that a wireless future awaits us, but we're not remotely there. I think Apple was too premature on this design decision.
I think the best way to move forward is to actually forget all the current standards and create a new wireless protocol that can support At least 22 streams of 312KB audio. While we might have adverse health effects from bathing ourselves in wireless signal, that would at least give us enough throughput for great sound. The other side of that equation is on the end where you have ears. If we have different drivers for each frequency range, it would require more power to drive those drivers and would also require DSP to process all of that sound. Don't forget, there is are exponentially diminishing returns when we go up in quality. Not everyone can tell the difference in sound quality just like not everyone can look at a photo and rip apart its photons to fully understand the image. I feel right now with the Airpods, we are kind of at the sweet spot for consumers for audio quality which on one hand is kind of sad but on the other hand allows for "good enough" audio to be delivered wirelessly.