iPhone 7 - Don't cry about your missing AUX Input

[Chew Toy McCoy]

We'll need a splitter too to allow charging while listening. To me, I'd rather just keep using the status quo.

This new proposal isn't going to make my life easier.

Yeah, Apple has made decisions in the past I wasn’t happy about either but for me the greater benefits of sticking in Apple’s ecosystem far outweigh that relative moment of discomfort and adjustment I’m going to have to make.


I’ll admit to making some snarky posts on here but the fact is change is coming and no amount of forum whining is going to change that. See what the options are for embracing that change.

 

[boltjames]

This new proposal isn't going to make my life easier.

And that's the point here.

Pick another technology that was abandoned, it was always replaced a) over time with a transition period and b) with something that was definitively pro-consumer.

Vinyl records and cassette tapes overlapped for years. Cassette tapes and CD's overlapped for years. AM Radio and FM Radio still co-exist. USB thumb/extrernal drives existed for years before notebook companies removed the floppy drives. Flash and HTML5. Contact lenses and Lasik. Hybrids and Unleaded Fuel. In each case, people had a chance to consider the options, in each case new companies came onboard to innovate newness before the older technology was severed, in each case the newer version was better for consumers in terms of quality or convenience or form factor or price.

If the rumors are true and Apple abandons the headphone jack there will be no ecosystem of Lightning headphones to step in and replace the old ones, no betterment in terms of convenience, and no chance for consumers to make a qualified decision that doesn't exclude the iPhone from the purchase path.

BJ

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

And that's the point here.

Pick another technology that was abandoned, it was always replaced a) over time with a transition period and b) with something that was definitively pro-consumer.

Vinyl records and cassette tapes overlapped for years. Cassette tapes and CD's overlapped for years. AM Radio and FM Radio still co-exist. USB thumb/extrernal drives existed for years before notebook companies removed the floppy drives. Flash and HTML5. Contact lenses and Lasik. Hybrids and Unleaded Fuel. In each case, people had a chance to consider the options, in each case new companies came onboard to innovate newness before the older technology was severed, in each case the newer version was better for consumers in terms of quality or convenience or form factor or price.

If the rumors are true and Apple abandons the headphone jack there will be no ecosystem of Lightning headphones to step in and replace the old ones, no betterment in terms of convenience, and no chance for consumers to make a qualified decision that doesn't exclude the iPhone from the purchase path.

BJ

Bluetooth headphones and speakers have been around for years. Overlap.


How about no longer having to deal with cables getting snagged and yanking the cable out of your phone or the headphones off your ears. Won’t that be nice. In fact you won’t even have to have your device on you when moving around a room. Convenience.

 

[Mac 128]

And that's the point here.

Pick another technology that was abandoned, it was always replaced a) over time with a transition period and b) with something that was definitively pro-consumer.

Vinyl records and cassette tapes overlapped for years. Cassette tapes and CD's overlapped for years. AM Radio and FM Radio still co-exist. USB thumb/extrernal drives existed for years before notebook companies removed the floppy drives. Flash and HTML5. Contact lenses and Lasik. Hybrids and Unleaded Fuel. In each case, people had a chance to consider the options, in each case new companies came onboard to innovate newness before the older technology was severed, in each case the newer version was better for consumers in terms of quality or convenience or form factor or price.

If the rumors are true and Apple abandons the headphone jack there will be no ecosystem of Lightning headphones to step in and replace the old ones, no betterment in terms of convenience, and no chance for consumers to make a qualified decision that doesn't exclude the iPhone from the purchase path.

BJ

ALWAYS!? How about analogue to digital broadcasts TV? Consumers were given years of warning before the transition and yet millions were caught without when the analogue plug was finally pulled. So, sorry, doesn't work. Many of the rest of your examples are also flawed for the same reasons. Consumers get comfortable with a technology, and even if another is demonstrably better, they cost or inconvenience of transitioning does not appeal to them, so in the presence of an option, they stick with what they have. Proven time and time again. And this is playing out no differently.

 

[bufffilm]

Bluetooth headphones and speakers have been around for years. Overlap.


How about no longer having to deal with cables getting snagged and yanking the cable out of your phone or the headphones off your ears. Won’t that be nice. In fact you won’t even have to have your device on you when moving around a room. Convenience.

The convenience of the 3.5" jack far outweigh the disadvantage of snagging a cable. The latter hasn't happened to me in years.

And cars that don't support BT is yet another reason why I don't like it.

I agree that there's little we can do. Perhaps if there is enough outcry, Apple will bring the jack back in 2017...who knows.
[doublepost=1471286874][/doublepost]

ALWAYS!? How about analogue to digital broadcasts TV? Consumers were given years of warning before the transition and yet millions were caught without when the analogue plug was finally pulled. So, sorry, doesn't work. Many of the rest of your examples are also flawed for the same reasons. Consumers get comfortable with a technology, and even if another is demonstrably better, they cost or inconvenience of transitioning does not appeal to them, so in the presence of an option, they stick with what they have. Proven time and time again. And this is playing out no differently.

You keep trotting out that example.

It doesn't mean it will hold true in this case.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

And cars that don't support BT is yet another reason why I don't like it.

Alright, you got me on the car example there. Up to just a few years ago I was still rocking a wired cassette adaptor to listen to my iPod. Then I got a new car that I just plug in the 30-pin or lightening cable and the touch screen stereo accesses it while also keeping it charged.


But Apple has a solution for this scenario too. Just buy a new car with Car Play.

 

[boltjames]

Bluetooth headphones and speakers have been around for years. Overlap.

How about no longer having to deal with cables getting snagged and yanking the cable out of your phone or the headphones off your ears. Won’t that be nice. In fact you won’t even have to have your device on you when moving around a room. Convenience.

Exactly, Bluetooth headphones have been around for years and have yet to supplant wired headphones because of issues regarding sound quality (lesser), convenience (charging), price (expensive), and durability (buds especially). Wired versions of the same headphones sound better, are more convenient, are cheaper, and are more durable.

As of a report last month, Bluetooth headphones account for 17% of sales. Wired is a whopping 83%. And that's last year's sales; we know that all iPhone's come with wired headphones packed-in, real world wired usage is probably 98% or more. Bluetooth has been out there for a decade. People have voted. They no want.

Instead of deflecting the argument towards a cordless niche, stay focused on the conversation which is that there aren't any wired solutions for a Lightning port. That's what's being discussed. Wireless is a pricey lifestyle decision. Wired is the defacto standard.

BJ

 

[aces99]

Tesla?

Ya maybe, Tesla has some nice looking vehicles. I thought about them as an option. I would go probably go with a 2 door model though.

 

[aces99]

I just can't understand the logic behind this, when their iPod touch devices are already thinner than their phones. Hell, look at their nanos from years ago. The bottleneck here isn't the 3.5mm jack.

I can see them wanting to make the iPods as thin as possible as they are a music device most people leave them in their pocket while listening to music, say while running. But making the phones as thin as credit cards I don't understand. I tried the 6S and found it way to thin and slippery. I just don't understand making it thinner. I find it thin enough already. If they remove the 3.5mm jack that would definitely give them more room to make it thinner as they can't go much thinner unless they do. They are either removing it to make it thinner or to force people to go with lightening or wireless headphones. I don't see any other reason to remove it. Unless they have something up their sleeve. Guess we will see soon enough.

 

[lordofthereef]

I can see them wanting to make the iPods as thin as possible as they are a music device most people leave them in their pocket while listening to music, say while running. But making the phones as thin as credit cards I don't understand. I tried the 6S and found it way to thin and slippery. I just don't understand making it thinner. I find it thin enough already. If they remove the 3.5mm jack that would definitely give them more room to make it thinner as they can't go much thinner unless they do. They are either removing it to make it thinner or to force people to go with lightening or wireless headphones. I don't see any other reason to remove it. Unless they have something up their sleeve. Guess we will see soon enough.

The point I was trying to make is that a device that has a 3.5mm port AND is thinner than any iphone already exists. As such, this port isn't what is holding anything back from becoming thinner.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

Exactly, Bluetooth headphones have been around for years and have yet to supplant wired headphones because of issues regarding sound quality (lesser), convenience (charging), price (expensive), and durability (buds especially). Wired versions of the same headphones sound better, are more convenient, are cheaper, and are more durable.

As of a report last month, Bluetooth headphones account for 17% of sales. Wired is a whopping 83%. And that's last year's sales; we know that all iPhone's come with wired headphones packed-in, real world wired usage is probably 98% or more. Bluetooth has been out there for a decade. People have voted. They no want.

Instead of deflecting the argument towards a cordless niche, stay focused on the conversation which is that there aren't any wired solutions for a Lightning port. That's what's being discussed. Wireless is a pricey lifestyle decision. Wired is the defacto standard.

BJ

It's no shock that the cheapest and sometimes even free option still gets the most usage. You can apply that to just about anything.

I’m not deflecting. I’m being realistic with options. I’m not sure what your end game is here. You are right. There won’t be a tidal wave of lightening headphones available when Apple kills the headphone jack. What are you going to do when that happens?

 

[cableguy84]

I agree with OP, i have no attachment to the aux ioutput. As long as there is an alternative in place, which there is

 

[zhenya]

ALWAYS!? How about analogue to digital broadcasts TV? Consumers were given years of warning before the transition and yet millions were caught without when the analogue plug was finally pulled. So, sorry, doesn't work. Many of the rest of your examples are also flawed for the same reasons. Consumers get comfortable with a technology, and even if another is demonstrably better, they cost or inconvenience of transitioning does not appeal to them, so in the presence of an option, they stick with what they have. Proven time and time again. And this is playing out no differently.

This comparison isn't nearly so similar as you seem to think. First, the type of TV had absolutely nothing to do with the digital transition. It's all about the tuner, and it would be perfectly viable to build a CRT with a digital tuner. The reality is that for a huge portion of the tv watching public, they had no reason to upgrade their TV's until they were absolutely forced to. Most of them have lived a life where TV's lasted 20 years or more, rather than the 5 year disposable models we get today. The digital transmission was made not primarily for picture quality considerations, but because analogue tv used up a large portion of the available spectrum which the government could then auction off to more lucrative markets.

In fact for a large portion of viewers, the transition was a downgrade because the digital signal is transmitted over less range, is more susceptible to multi-path issues in urban areas, and doesn't allow for the reception of a marginal signal with decreased service quality.

To equate this with the loss of the 3.5mm jack Apple would somehow have to render all existing 3.5mm devices obsolete at the moment they flip the switch.

The real similarity, which you miss, is that in both cases the transition is being made in order to generate more money for someone. It has nothing to do with what's best for existing customers.

 

[boltjames]

ALWAYS!? How about analogue to digital broadcasts TV? Consumers were given years of warning before the transition and yet millions were caught without when the analogue plug was finally pulled. So, sorry, doesn't work. Many of the rest of your examples are also flawed for the same reasons. Consumers get comfortable with a technology, and even if another is demonstrably better, they cost or inconvenience of transitioning does not appeal to them, so in the presence of an option, they stick with what they have. Proven time and time again. And this is playing out no differently.

You are supporting my position.

Analog gave way to HDTV when all networks changed over and there was a critical mass of content to justify it. Cassettes gave way to CD's when all artists committed to all new releases in the format. Floppy drives gave way to USB drives when photos and MP3's required far larger storage mediums.

Wired Lightning headphones will undoubtedly be successful once Apple has given its customers time to wear out their existing headphones and headphone manufacturers time to build an assortment of products. HDTV would have bombed if the FCC discontinued standard broadcasting in 2001 when the first HDTV shows aired; but they gave it time to mature, and by 2008 it was the new universal standard. Forcing a new standard down the throats of consumers without a transition period and a mature third-party network doesn't work.

BJ

 

[aces99]

Hopefully they come out with an adapter dongle where you can listen to lightening headphones and charge your phone at the same time. If not then that's kind of an inconvenience.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

Went fishing. Caught me some fish.

Hardly. You thought you had a clever thread until the first several responses smacked you in the mouth lol. Nice attempt to play coy.

 

[Mac 128]

You keep trotting out that example.

It doesn't mean it will hold true in this case.

And yet it's playing out exactly the same.
[doublepost=1471295669][/doublepost]

You are supporting my position.

Analog gave way to HDTV when all networks changed over and there was a critical mass of content to justify it. Cassettes gave way to CD's when all artists committed to all new releases in the format. Floppy drives gave way to USB drives when photos and MP3's required far larger storage mediums.

Wired Lightning headphones will undoubtedly be successful once Apple has given its customers time to wear out their existing headphones and headphone manufacturers time to build an assortment of products. HDTV would have bombed if the FCC discontinued standard broadcasting in 2001 when the first HDTV shows aired; but they gave it time to mature, and by 2008 it was the new universal standard. Forcing a new standard down the throats of consumers without a transition period and a mature third-party network doesn't work.

BJ

If only that's how it happened. But it didn't.

 

[BorderingOn]

I appreciate you clearing it up that you quoted me by mistake and you were replying to the OP, not me. That's all I was asking for, thanks. I hear what you are saying about trolling posts but I do see their argument as well. Apple still could promote lightening headphone and still leave the 3.5mm jack for people that use regular headphones. Wireless headphones are nice and all but you have to constantly charge them all the time. Plus wired headphones will always have better sound wireless headphones. Lightening headphones might be good and all but you can't charge your phone and listen to lightening headphones at the same time. Also now if you want to use your 3.5mm headphones you have to use a dongle adapter. What if you are at your friends house or party and want to hook it up to their speaker or entertainment system but didn't bring your dongle. So there are drawbacks to going either wireless or lightening headphones. So there is defiantly a valid reason to have these discussions. One opinion doesn't make it right for everyone.

Agree 100%. There are lots of news threads about this where people are providing all kinds of crazy scenarios.

I'm interested to see how it plays out in a couple areas. There are lots of folks who complain about bluetooth iPad keyboards. I wonder how they will take to BT headphones. Then there are those who say they don't use headphones very often. Well, in our new wireless world (assuming that is Apple's direction), a wireless headset not used very often is a dead headset when you need it.

 

[aces99]

Agree 100%. There are lots of news threads about this where people are providing all kinds of crazy scenarios.

I'm interested to see how it plays out in a couple areas. There are lots of folks who complain about bluetooth iPad keyboards. I wonder how they will take to BT headphones. Then there are those who say they don't use headphones very often. Well, in our new wireless world (assuming that is Apple's direction), a wireless headset not used very often is a dead headset when you need it.

Ya that is why I am not a big fan of wireless cameras at the moment. You constantly have to charge them and if you don't they will could very well be dead when you need them most to listen to music. Lightening headphones are good but you can't listen to music and charge your phone at the same time which is kind of a downer. You don't have any of those problems with wired headphones. Will be interesting to see how it plays out as well. I can see both sides.

 

[Mac 128]

Ya that is why I am not a big fan of wireless cameras at the moment. You constantly have to charge them and if you don't they will could very well be dead when you need them most to listen to music. Lightening headphones are good but you can't listen to music and charge your phone at the same time which is kind of a downer. You don't have any of those problems with wired headphones. Will be interesting to see how it plays out as well. I can see both sides.

When you're listening to BT headphones, they will give you an audible notice that batteries are running low, so as not to suddenly cut out as some here love to assert. At a minimum it gives a person an opportunity to wrap up a call, or shut down their music. Of course in reality, there are several other options, including switching to the phone in the case of a call, or plugging in a cable to keep listening. I doubt Apple will allow headphones to recharge off the iPhone, but certainly Lightning would be capable of that. Maybe if an extended battery pack was attached?

But what is needed is some kind of visual notification on the iPhone that works the way it does on the wireless mouse and keyboard for the Macs. They give me a warning with a percentage remaining, which I can dismiss, and keeps coming back as it gets lower. And the only way to get that is better integration with the OS.

And of course you'll be able to charge your phone and listen at the same time. I don't know why that point keeps coming up. That would just be plain stupid if Apple didn't provide for that.

 

[cynics]

When you're listening to BT headphones, they will give you an audible notice that batteries are running low, so as not to suddenly cut out as some here love to assert. At a minimum it gives a person an opportunity to wrap up a call, or shut down their music. Of course in reality, there are several other options, including switching to the phone in the case of a call, or plugging in a cable to keep listening. I doubt Apple will allow headphones to recharge off the iPhone, but certainly Lightning would be capable of that. Maybe if an extended battery pack was attached?

But what is needed is some kind of visual notification on the iPhone that works the way it does on the wireless mouse and keyboard for the Macs. They give me a warning with a percentage remaining, which I can dismiss, and keeps coming back as it gets lower. And the only way to get that is better integration with the OS.

And of course you'll be able to charge your phone and listen at the same time. I don't know why that point keeps coming up. That would just be plain stupid if Apple didn't provide for that.

Decent BT accessories give a battery indication in iOS.



Edit: unless you mean like a pop up warning.

 

[boltjames]

If only that's how it happened. But it didn't.

It absolutely did happen that way. I'm in the industry and lived the through it. If Apple wants universal acceptance for a Lightning headphone protocol, they need third parties to introduce a critical mass of Lightning headphones with some meaningful features to make them worthwhile. Consumers respond nicely to breakthroughs in quality and features; they respond negatively when force-fed something with no benefit with a transparently negative motive.

BJ

 

[Mac 128]

It absolutely did happen that way. I'm in the industry and lived the through it. If Apple wants universal acceptance for a Lightning headphone protocol, they need third parties to introduce a critical mass of Lightning headphones with some meaningful features to make them worthwhile. Consumers respond nicely to breakthroughs in quality and features; they respond negatively when force-fed something with no benefit with a transparently negative motive.

BJ

No it didn't. I'm in the TV industry (don't know which you're in), and I lived through it. And who said a thing about Lightning? You've completely missed the boat here. Sorry.
[doublepost=1471322214][/doublepost]

Decent BT accessories give a battery indication in iOS.

View attachment 645080 View attachment 645081

Edit: unless you mean like a pop up warning.

Yes that's exactly what I meant.

 

[boltjames]

It's no shock that the cheapest and sometimes even free option still gets the most usage. You can apply that to just about anything.

I’m not deflecting. I’m being realistic with options. I’m not sure what your end game is here. You are right. There won’t be a tidal wave of lightening headphones available when Apple kills the headphone jack. What are you going to do when that happens?

The point is that if Apple thinks the world is going to shift to Bluetooth headphones (we haven't after almost a decade of offerings) or Lightning headphones (no one has seen any) and this is some form of win they are very wrong. My use case, I only need headphones on airlines or the ocassional Skype call. Worrying about battery life and standby life is not something I am going to tolerate. The cord isn't that invasive and if losing the cord means gaining battery worries forget it.

My end game is simple: The iPhone 7 was already going to be a tough sell for me, my iPhone 6 is brilliant and needs no replacing. I might have still upgraded for the sake of having the newest and greatest but if Apple removes features that are basic and important to me, I'm just going to stay put and take this gen off, and instead of being forced to buy a full priced phone without subsidies for $700 I'll be happy to spend $0 and see if Apple has something more significant in 2018. I won't be alone.

BJ

 

[bpeeps]

My mistake. Should haven a general reply and not quote. But I did refer to the Person who started the thread.

Honestly, I'm surprised the forum allows threads that do nothing more than call people out and mock them. If this thread isn't itself whining (whinging), then what is it? There are tons of news stories about this where OP could have provided an opinion.

It's all under the guise of not wanting to stifle content/participation. There's a lot that needs to be cleaned up in these threads, but the mods won't touch it.