Impacts of removing the headphone jack [MERGED]

[Appleaker]

Negative impacts for Apple:

• A recent YouTube video showed how the lack of headphone jack could reduce music listening either due to having to use an adapter for certain situations or having to charge the headphones which discourages listening. That could decrease Apple Music usage.
• The existence of better alternatives with a headphone jack could encourage people to switch, decreasing sales of the iPhone 7. Although this could be counteracted by people opting for the SE/6S instead, no headphone jack and a similar design makes it likely to see a dip in sales compared to other iPhone releases.

Positive impacts for consumers:

• Better wireless and more lightning options will hit the market.
• The advantages that come with lightning headphones.

Other impacts:

• Phone manufactures will think it's acceptable, as they did with camera bumps, and may remove the headphone jack on their phones, as we can already see by phones like the Moto Z.
• More USB-C headphones will be available.

Any possible impacts I haven't mentioned?

 

[MacDawg]

For some people like me, it will have NO impact
I never use the headphone jack at all

 

[C DM]

Various ones mentioned in some threads like https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/lack-of-headphone-jack-in-iphone-7.1983173/ and https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...for-apple-to-kill-the-headphone-jack.1962886/

 

[Appleaker]

For some people like me, it will have NO impact
I never use the headphone jack at all

That's fair enough - a lot of the people that don't want it either don't use it or are Apple fanboys that agree with everything they do, saying that it is aging technology and we need to move on. Even though there are some that don't use it very often, there are a significant portion of their customers that do.

 

[C DM]

That's fair enough - a lot of the people that don't want it either don't use it or are Apple fanboys that agree with everything they do, saying that it is aging technology and we need to move on. Even though there are some that don't use it very often, there are a significant portion of their customers that do.

So people can't agree because that's how they actually feel about it and simply because they just blindingly go with whatever Apple does?

 

[Appleaker]

Various ones mentioned in some threads like https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/lack-of-headphone-jack-in-iphone-7.1983173/ and https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...for-apple-to-kill-the-headphone-jack.1962886/

Yeah some are good points but I see a lot of comparison to the Floppy and CD drives. I think that point is invalid for justification, as that is on a Mac which is a less portable device, not to mention that in both cases there were arguably better solutions available. In this case, there is no clearly much better solution since each one has downside.
[doublepost=1469744404][/doublepost]

So people can't agree because that's how they actually feel about it and simply because they just blindingly go with whatever Apple does?

I never said that, please read it again. I said there are people who genuinely have no use for it and there are fanboys.

 

[C DM]

Yeah some are good points but I see a lot of comparison to the Floppy and CD drives. I think that point is invalid for justification, as that is on a Mac which is a less portable device, not to mention that in both cases there were arguably better solutions available. In this case, there is no clearly much better solution since each one has downside.
[doublepost=1469744404][/doublepost]
I never said that, please read it again. I said there are people who genuinely have no use for it and there are fanboys.

Well, it seems like the implication there is that there are just two categories that people fall into, but there could certainly be more than that--that those who agree with it being removed don't necessarily have to simply because they aren't using it or because they just blindly agree with anything that Apple does.

 

[eyoungren]

Negative impacts for Apple:

• A recent YouTube video showed how the lack of headphone jack could reduce music listening either due to having to use an adapter for certain situations or having to charge the headphones which discourages listening. That could decrease Apple Music usage.
• The existence of better alternatives with a headphone jack could encourage people to switch, decreasing sales of the iPhone 7. Although this could be counteracted by people opting for the SE/6S instead, no headphone jack and a similar design makes it likely to see a dip in sales compared to other iPhone releases.

Positive impacts for consumers:

• Better wireless and more lightning options will hit the market.
• The advantages that come with lightning headphones.

Other impacts:

• Phone manufactures will think it's acceptable, as they did with camera bumps, and may remove the headphone jack on their phones, as we can already see by phones like the Moto Z.
• More USB-C headphones will be available.

Any possible impacts I haven't mentioned?

There was a time way back in 1999 with the introduction of the iMac that Apple removed the 3.5" floppy disk.

The Apple community at the time screamed bloody murder and buried Apple with negative publicity.

Apple survived.

They will survive this too.

PS. You have to wonder about those who want the iPhone but can't let go of the 19th century technology that is the headphone jack.

 

[Appleaker]

Well, it seems like the implication there is that there are just two categories that people fall into, but there could certainly be more than that--that those who agree with it being removed don't necessarily have to simply because they aren't using it or because they just blindly agree with anything that Apple does.

Alright please give me an example? The only other one I can think of is people who currently use it but want to switch to lightning for the advantages, but that kind of falls into the category of people who aren't/won't use it as they could have switched already and therefore aren't using it. There is no need to turn this into an argument.

 

[C DM]

Alright please give me an example? The only other one I can think of is people who currently use it but want to switch to lightning for the advantages, but that kind of falls into the category of people who aren't/won't use it as they could have switched already and therefore aren't using it. There is no need to turn this into an argument.

No one is turning anything into an argument. Simply pointing out that not everyone who might agree with dropping the headphone jack would necessarily fall into the group of either simply not using it at all or just being a blind follower.

 

[Appleaker]

There was a time way back in 1999 with the introduction of the iMac that Apple removed the 3.5" floppy disk.

The Apple community at the time screamed bloody murder and buried Apple with negative publicity.

Apple survived.

They will survive this too.

PS. You have to wonder about those who want the iPhone but can't let go of the 19th century technology that is the headphone jack.

I understand it is possibly similar in terms of the negative publicity, but otherwise they are completely different things:

• There was a clearly better alternative (CDs) that had a larger capacity at the time.
• Floppy drives had different use to headphones, which is more commonly used.
• Macs are much less portable than phones. If somebody wanted to load a floppy disk, they could buy the drive which would likely be stationary on a desk whether they were using a desktop or notebook.

While the technology is old, that's the point - It is tightly integrated in a lot of things consumers do.
[doublepost=1469747038][/doublepost]

No one is turning anything into an argument. Simply pointing out that not everyone who might agree with dropping the headphone jack would necessarily fall into the group of either simply not using it at all or just being a blind follower. Fairly straightforward.

Again, please give me an example of a third category.
My point was that there are those who maybe indifferent or want it gone because they have a valid reason, and fanboys who would adapt their lives because they believe Apple know best with everything they are doing. I don't see a third category.

 

[C DM]

I understand it is possibly similar in terms of the negative publicity, but otherwise they are completely different things:

• There was a clearly better alternative (CDs) that had a larger capacity at the time.
• Floppy drives had different use to headphones, which is more commonly used.
• Macs are much less portable than phones. If somebody wanted to load a floppy disk, they could buy the drive which would likely be stationary on a desk whether they were using a desktop or notebook.

While the technology is old, that's the point - It is tightly integrated in a lot of things consumers do.
[doublepost=1469747038][/doublepost]
Again, please give me an example of a third category.
My point was that there are those who maybe indifferent or want it gone because they have a valid reason, and fanboys who would adapt their lives because they believe Apple know best with everything they are doing. I don't see a third category.

Probably some things that come up in threads like https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...for-apple-to-kill-the-headphone-jack.1962886/ would fit the bill.

That aside even, you yourself just pointed out more than two categories compared to what you originally said and have been saying: aside from those who don't use it and don't care about it, or are just blind followers, you now brought up those who want it gone because they have a valid reason (a third category that wasn't originally included).

 

[eyoungren]

I understand it is possibly similar in terms of the negative publicity, but otherwise they are completely different things:

• There was a clearly better alternative (CDs) that had a larger capacity at the time.
• Floppy drives had different use to headphones, which is more commonly used.
• Macs are much less portable than phones. If somebody wanted to load a floppy disk, they could buy the drive which would likely be stationary on a desk whether they were using a desktop or notebook.

While the technology is old, that's the point - It is tightly integrated in a lot of things consumers do.

You make very valid points and based solely on those points I would not have brought it up precisely because of the fact that the technology is different.

But I did bring it up and the reason for that is entirely different. I brought it up to make the point that with the exclusion of a few things Apple has never much cared what the customer wants or how much of a problem they create when it comes to doing the things they do.

Sure, it's tightly integrated into the things consumers do. Apple doesn't care. Apple does what Apple wants to do. And cutting people off from old tech no matter how tightly integrated is one of the things they do. They have a history of it and they could care less just how unhappy that makes the customer or unsettling it is - no matter what the tech happens to be or how old or standardized.

They'll give you an alternative for a while or let third parties do that. But ultimately once they decide to end something they're done with it. And negative customer opinion very rarely changes their minds.

 

[cynics]

They are going to force a market change that mostly benefits the manufacturers not the end user. This is unfortunate but its business.

I'll be angry about it the entire way to the Apple Store to buy the iPhone 7. Not because I'm a fanboy but like I mentioned they will force the change so might as well get used too it sooner than later.

 

[lordofthereef]

Probably some things that come up in threads like https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...for-apple-to-kill-the-headphone-jack.1962886/ would fit the bill.

That aside even, you yourself just pointed out more than two categories compared to what you originally said and have been saying: aside from those who don't use it and don't care about it, or are just blind followers, you now brought up those who want it gone because they have a valid reason (a third category that wasn't originally included).

It sounds like you are arguing over semantics when the OP clarifed what he meant even though it may not be exactly what he said to begin with. I see you doi this in a lot of threads. Not trying to argue. Just making an observation.

 

[C DM]

It sounds like you are arguing over semantics when the OP clarifed what he meant even though it may not be exactly what he said to begin with. I see you doi this in a lot of threads. Not trying to argue. Just making an observation.

Well, it appears what I brought up seems to have gotten the clarification which wasn't there before (even though it was an indirect one essentially, given that it was still being overlooked).

 

[mikzn]

Negative impacts for Apple:
Any possible impacts I haven't mentioned?

More Wear and Tear on the lightning port connection = more fatigue and failure of the connection

See this link to iFixit article - Ditching Headphone Jack Could Hurt iPhone Durability

 

[joeblow7777]

They are going to force a market change that mostly benefits the manufacturers not the end user. This is unfortunate but its business.

I'll be angry about it the entire way to the Apple Store to buy the iPhone 7. Not because I'm a fanboy but like I mentioned they will force the change so might as well get used too it sooner than later.

You know, maybe if enough people vote with their wallets and don't buy into a product that doesn't give them what they want, the iPhone 8 will come along and bring it back by popular demand.

 

[deany]

I think dropping the 3.5mm as long as there is a FREE lightning to 3.5mm adapter is an improvement.
OP does not mention the waterproof properties this will bring.
The phone will need to have wireless charging or quick charge wireless ear buds - like the adapter FREE - quick charge like the iPad Pro pen.
20 mins of charge = 2 hours use approx for new ear buds
I think its a step forward.

 

[hiddenmarkov]

You know, maybe if enough people vote with their wallets and don't buy into a product that doesn't give them what they want, the iPhone 8 will come along and bring it back by popular demand.

Basically. If this happens it just adds more reasons to keep my the phones in he house currently longer. No trip to the cell phone shop in the upcoming year for upgrades, one less thing to put on the to do list lol.

Apple lost me at the well its water proof angle they or others are giving. You can make 3.5 waterproof too. Its the same setup really...seals internal rated to some depth range. Corrosion resistant metal on the slot/connector...and maybe a rubber stopper/seal to insert just in case on the outside.

The metal on the connector (lightning , usb-c, whatever it may be) will be exposed...its not like apple is skipping this problem. May even be more fun to solve....those connectors transmit signals for a lot more than 3.5 jack does.

Edit: plus legal outlook here really up in air. Went to the US recently. Went to a waterpark a few days. Nice message again and again that underwater photography was not allowed.....If places are cutting off say go-pro's with housings, not seeing them go oh its okay, stick your iPhone under the water.

It could be the change that many places won't even allow really. It tbh is why I was interested in go-pro for a new video angle...then said waste of money since several place I would use it at the lifeguard would walk up and say please remove the device sir. Not a perv or anything...my 6 year old boy passed a swim test and has no fear in 12 feet deep water at the pool we use he can swim in now. Old boy dives down to bottom and swims like a fish. I'd like to have that on video...will have to rely on memory and eyes lol.

 

[I7guy]

More Wear and Tear on the lightning port connection = more fatigue and failure of the connection

See this link to iFixit article - Ditching Headphone Jack Could Hurt iPhone Durability

You know I was thinking about that angle, but I mostly use BT headphones so for me, impact is negligible.

 

[joeblow7777]

You know I was thinking about that angle, but I mostly use BT headphones so for me, impact is negligible.

So you'll just be bombarding your brain with evil Bluetooth radiation instead!

(I'm kidding)

 

[mikzn]

So you'll just be bombarding your brain with evil Bluetooth radiation instead! (I'm kidding)

Tin Foil helps

 

[joeblow7777]

Tin Foil helps

Actually, tinfoil might in fact help to reflect some of the rays.
[doublepost=1469763792][/doublepost]Joking aside, what if some new found evidence did suggest that there were negative health effects to Bluetooth headphones. I wonder if that would encourage Apple to reintroduce the jack in future models.

Again, I'm not saying that there are such effects, just speaking hypothetically.

 

[boltjames]

If Apple does indeed remove the headphone jack it would be for two reasons that consumers don't care about:

1. Reduce a means of entry of liquids into the phone thus reducing return rates at Apple stores.

2. Help Apple sell Beats headphones with a more convenient to use Lightning connector built-in.

Apple has always been fair to the consumer. They have always offered us more features for the same price and it's been an equitable relationship. This is clearly a money grab by Apple, doing things to make them more money at the consumers expense. It's no different then Facebook and Twitter shoving advertisements on our once clean newsfeeds. They are figuring out a way to additionally monetize the iPhone instead of actually making it a better product.

BJ