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

[boltjames]

Because someone went out and actually asked people:

Interesting poll, but it was taken at very high end Northern Virginia malls and is certainly not representative of the iPhone userbase as a whole. They also did not elaborate on the headphone jack removal by saying "all of your existing headphones would be useless and you couldn't charge your phone and listen to music at the same time" which is the crux of the matter.

Had the poll been taken at a local Walmart in a lower middle-class neighborhood in Oklahoma, methinks the data would have skewed in the exact opposite direction.

Mobile Phones:
Samsung has about 25% market share, apple has about 15%

Computers:
Lenovo has about 21% market share, apple has about 8%

The marketshare difference is not all that big lol.
Yes, at this point in time the iPhone is making apple more money then Macs but not many companies are actually making money off personal computers.

Smartphones: The iPhone is the #1 best selling smartphone in the world, outselling every other model made (in launch year, not necessarily "S" year though it varies)

Notebooks: We are talking about OSX vs. Windows. Apple is losing the OS battle 92% to 8% despite having billions of users of its mobile operating system; the notebook needle hasn't moved at all since 1996 which is an astounding failure.

Semantics: Argue the point, stop coming up with random datapoints that support a different argument.

They far from cater to a niche with their MacBooks but that is a whole different discussion. Macs are not taking over simply because of price and their dominance in the business sector and people not wanting change there.

Completely wrong.

The iPhone was always the most expensive cellular device by 100s of dollars and they had zero penetration in the business world which was consumed by Blackberry. The iPhone took over the world because Apple focused on the best consumer experience, addition of features, and ease of use.

The iPhone 7 will not be better than the iPhone 6 for consumers, they are losing important features, they are thus becoming harder to use. No different than what the Mac has faced all these decades, a losing battle because Apple has it's proprietary stick up it's arse.

BJ

 

[Crzyrio]

Interesting poll, but it was taken at very high end Northern Virginia malls and is certainly not representative of the iPhone userbase as a whole. They also did not elaborate on the headphone jack removal by saying "all of your existing headphones would be useless and you couldn't charge your phone and listen to music at the same time" which is the crux of the matter.

Had the poll been taken at a local Walmart in a lower middle-class neighborhood in Oklahoma, methinks the data would have skewed in the exact opposite direction.

Well, I would rather look at real world numbers then made up possible scenarios.

Smartphones: The iPhone is the #1 best selling smartphone in the world, outselling every other model made (in launch year, not necessarily "S" year though it varies)

Notebooks: We are talking about OSX vs. Windows. Apple is losing the OS battle 92% to 8% despite having billions of users of its mobile operating system; the notebook needle hasn't moved at all since 1996 which is an astounding failure.

Semantics: Argue the point, stop coming up with random datapoints that support a different argument.

But you cannot talk about iPhone vs all other phones and then move to talk about OSX vs Windows. iOS is also losing the OS Battle with 80% to 20% is my point. You are picking and choosing what to use as an argument.

The reason the Mac's do not make a lot of money for Apple is because it is a mature product and people are not buying new ones every 2 years. It has nothing to do with Marketshare. Apple could have 2% market share and make a killing of their Mac's if people bought new ones every 2 years. But you cannot compare the two because Mobile Phones are not yet Mature and over the past years the leaps between one phone to the next was very significant.

Completely wrong.

The iPhone was always the most expensive cellular device by 100s of dollars and they had zero penetration in the business world which was consumed by Blackberry. The iPhone took over the world because Apple focused on the best consumer experience, addition of features, and ease of use.

The iPhone 7 will not be better than the iPhone 6 for consumers, they are losing important features, they are thus becoming harder to use. No different than what the Mac has faced all these decades, a losing battle because Apple has it's proprietary stick up it's arse.

BJ

Oh Please, the iPhone took over the world because it was first to the table and everyone flocked to them because of that. They are losing a port that can easily be replaced by 2 existing technologies on the phone. The port HAS to come off weather this year or next it WILL come off. And I would be the happiest person if Apple did that because it would truly force people to move on to so many better options.

 

[boltjames]

Well, I would rather look at real world numbers then made up possible scenarios.

It's a skewed poll, it's not broad enough in its demographics to be taken seriously.

Here's a real-world number for you: I commute from home to Manhattan every day on two trains and then walk 5 blocks to the office, I must see 1,000 people a day wearing headphones. I've been paying attention to what they're using, and I have only see 5 people a week wearing a cordless headset. 5,000 people per week, the wealthy, the poor, the executive, the french fry guy, 5 using Bluetooth.

But you cannot talk about iPhone vs all other phones and then move to talk about OSX vs Windows. iOS is also losing the OS Battle with 80% to 20% is my point. You are picking and choosing what to use as an argument.

Of course I can because those were my original points. I offered that the iPhone is the #1 phone in the world and something Apple shouldn't mess with. I later added to that point that Apple has made mistakes with their PC operating system. The overriding thesis is that a) Apple can't screw up the iPhone or they screw up their business and b) they've done short-sighted and selfish things like this before with their computers and decades of data show that they themselves made the Mac into a niche machine.

But you cannot compare the two because Mobile Phones are not yet Mature and over the past years the leaps between one phone to the next was very significant.

This also is a point I am making in this thread, the fact that the iPhone has become mature and tired after a decade of excitement. The iPhone 6 was iterative but at least the form factor was a bit fresh. The 6S was a huge yawn. The 7 looks like a 6. The iPhone is in danger of becoming the Mac due to lack of newness and if Apple does stupid things like removing the headphone jack or removing the mute switch or other anti-consumer tactics like the loss of phone subsidies leading to huge price increases they're going to be in big trouble.

Oh Please, the iPhone took over the world because it was first to the table and everyone flocked to them because of that.

Again you are cherry-picking your arguments. My point on iPhone dominance was to refute a point you made that the Mac was too expensive and had no inroads in the business environment, we were not discussing first-to-market strategies.

They are losing a port that can easily be replaced by 2 existing technologies on the phone. The port HAS to come off weather this year or next it WILL come off.

The port does not need removing as apparently there is nothing important that Apple needs the space for. Bluetooth is not a better option as the sound is weak compared to wired, the headphones need constant charging, they are heavy, they are fragile, they are expensive. That is not a 'better' option. Nor is the loss of the ability to charge the phone and listen to music at the same time. Nor is the need to carry a large and unattractive dongle.

And I would be the happiest person if Apple did that because it would truly force people to move on to so many better options.

I think that shows your true intentions in this thread. Troll elsewhere.

BJ

 

[off_piste]

100% of the world's population owns a peripheral that requires a headphone jack, only 1% needs a better camera or 15 minutes of battery life. And if the leaks are to be believed, what takes the space of the headphone jack is another speaker, like we need to hear crappy music from Ariana Grande through another tinny crappy speaker from a thin smartphone in stereo. Truly idiotic.



I'm glad you brought this up. Apple's market share vs. Windows hasn't moved past a measly 8% despite it's outrageous market share in the mobile space and billions of new customers gained in the last decade. Why?

Because Apple gave customers what they wanted in the iPhone and did stupid anti-consumer things with their Mac's like incompatibility with Windows software and incompatible proprietary ports, that's why. They should learn lessons from their own failures as a personal computer company and not repeat them in the mobile space.

BJ

I'd bet price is the main problem. Ever compared a Mac Pro to an equivalent Windows machine? There are so many Windows laptops you can buy for under $500.

 

[Crzyrio]

Of course I can because those were my original points. I offered that the iPhone is the #1 phone in the world and something Apple shouldn't mess with. I later added to that point that Apple has made mistakes with their PC operating system. The overriding thesis is that a) Apple can't screw up the iPhone or they screw up their business and b) they've done short-sighted and selfish things like this before with their computers and decades of data show that they themselves made the Mac into a niche machine.

Again you are cherry-picking your arguments. My point on iPhone dominance was to refute a point you made that the Mac was too expensive and had no inroads in the business environment, we were not discussing first-to-market strategies.

BJ

The iPhones are #1 in the world.

The Mac Computer could arguable be #1 in the world as well. There is no evidence that is it not, only evidence that Windows Dominates the market, same as Android dominates the market.

I am not cherry picking your arguments, I am trying to tell you that your comparisons between the iPhone and Mac are not equal.

 

[TheRealAlex]

You AUX jack lovers annoy me. You hold back change and progression with your whinging. You pipe up about how Apple will fail because the precious AUX input has been removed.

Yes because advancing wireless technology and getting rid of long, tangly cables is a bad thing

Why do you even buy Apple when you know this is what they do? They move the goalposts. People moan. Then people shut up when they realise why it has been done.

In September we will find out why and it will be awesome.

Point taken but Apple has a tradition and responsibility to offer up Something Better than the 3.5mm AUX port. I hope the can. It will take streaming over Bluetooth HDAudio with aptX and AAC and FLAC and 24-bit files.
A feat no current Bluetooth headphones accomplish sure some do aptX but that requires a devices to push the aptX codec and an aptX device to receive something I do with my Note 5 and Sony MDRXB950BT.

So it remains to be seem what Apple can offer up. My guess is It will good enough for 90% of non Audiophiles and a 3.5mm adapter with external Amp and DAC for those who want the best possible audio quality again pushed via 3.5mm AUX.

This is Apples way of selling new Headphones and dictating terms to the Headphone and Audio industry's and pushing the cost of an expensive audio component in iPhones to the consumer the Amp and DAC.

You will see a growing industry of external Amps and DACs

 

[boltjames]

The iPhones are #1 in the world.

The Mac Computer could arguable be #1 in the world as well. There is no evidence that is it not, only evidence that Windows Dominates the market, same as Android dominates the market.

I am not cherry picking your arguments, I am trying to tell you that your comparisons between the iPhone and Mac are not equal.

Fair enough, interesting article in today's USA Today:

Apple's iPhone buzz fades as old models keep ticking

VENICE BEACH, Calif. — For half a decade, the launch of an Apple iPhone triggered the same kind of global hysteria once reserved for beloved music groups — customers camping for days in front of a store, often in Apple-themed costumes.

That may be changing. Low expectations for major changes to the next upgrade, and data showing consumers are holding onto their smartphones longer, suggest the Apple buzz is fading.

Apple has reached the point where “the phone is so good, I’m just not as stoked to get the new version,” says Blake Rose, who recently moved west from Kettering, Ohio. He owns the iPhone 6S, released last September.

Sales of Apple products dropped more than 20% at Target Corp. during the retailer's quarter ended July 30, said Target CEO Brian Cornell on Wednesday, contributing to a 7% drop in total sales.

Apple historically introduces new iPhones shortly after Labor Day, and if it follows past years' patterns, it would launch a phone with a major redesign and upgrade, say the iPhone 7.

Analysts expect three key new add-ons for the next iPhone:

—A dual-camera sensor that is designed to dramatically improve low-light images and make it easier to zoom in on photos.

—More internal storage, at 32 gigabytes, up from the standard 16 GB.

—Removal of the headphone jack port, which will require consumers to plug their phones and earbuds into the Lightning charging port. This will probably cause them to buy new headphones and buds.

Sales for the latest iPhone, the 6S and 6S Plus, didn't catch fire with consumers like previous models. Apple has reported slumping sales for the previous two quarters, a first for the company, which sent revenue down 15% for the June quarter. Iphone unit sales fell to 40.4 million in the recent quarter, down 15% year-over year.

Earlier this year Apple introduced the smaller iPhone SE, which introduced no new features but carried a lower price in a smaller body. While Apple says sales have been strong for the SE, they haven't been been enough to push iPhone unit numbers higher than previously.

The last major re-design for the iPhone was in 2014’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models, which remain Apple’s best-selling iPhone models. Consumers loved the larger screens and improved camera.

But 2015’s 6S and 6S Plus failed to impress in an equal way, with new features like 3D Touch shortcuts and the ability to add short seconds of video clips to your photos.

“They don’t really change anything except the camera and speed,” said Lala O’Malley, of Los Angeles. “It ended with the 4S."

 

[Want300]

The port HAS to come off weather this year or next it WILL come off.

This I do not understand... Why would it NEED to come off? I am anxiously awaiting their reasoning during the keynote... whats yours?

As its been mentioned: bluetooth headphones, lightning headphones can already be used... whats is the point of removing the headphone jack if it does not directly provide any benefit to the consumer? That's what they need to sell me on... I have avoided bluetooth headphones because I already have enough stuff I need to charge... My bose QC 20's are annoying enough to charge, and I only charge them about once a month

 

[DarkExistence]

Quality through the lighting port will probs be clearer sounding anyway.. if USB-C earphones are anything to go by that is

 

[96-HUDSON-96]

Bluetooth headphones are always an option, I know Sennheiser do two great pairs of headphones. These wouldn't be suitable for sport unfortunately - which is what I would use Bluetooth headphones for.

 

[Crzyrio]

This I do not understand... Why would it NEED to come off? I am anxiously awaiting their reasoning during the keynote... whats yours?

As its been mentioned: bluetooth headphones, lightning headphones can already be used... whats is the point of removing the headphone jack if it does not directly provide any benefit to the consumer? That's what they need to sell me on... I have avoided bluetooth headphones because I already have enough stuff I need to charge... My bose QC 20's are annoying enough to charge, and I only charge them about once a month

Because it is a waste of space, it takes up a fair amount of space and can be replaced by better alternatives . It will push the adoption of bluetooth, resulting in cheaper, better and longer lasting wireless headphones.

 

[Want300]

Because it is a waste of space, it takes up a fair amount of space and can be replaced by better alternatives . It will push the adoption of bluetooth, resulting in cheaper, better and longer lasting wireless headphones.

Bluetooth is an alternative, but it is not a better one, not right now at least... I have tried 6 different pairs of bluetooth headphones, and there were some good ones, but they were definitely not better than my wired headphones, not even close.

It's not a waste of space with the VAST majority of users who listen to music on their phones rely on that port...

 

[Beerstalker]

Interesting poll, but it was taken at very high end Northern Virginia malls and is certainly not representative of the iPhone userbase as a whole. They also did not elaborate on the headphone jack removal by saying "all of your existing headphones would be useless and you couldn't charge your phone and listen to music at the same time" which is the crux of the matter.

Had the poll been taken at a local Walmart in a lower middle-class neighborhood in Oklahoma, methinks the data would have skewed in the exact opposite direction.
BJ

I would argue the exact opposite. The fact that this poll was taken at a high end mall means that the customers probably have more discretionary income to spend, and therefore are more likely to already have expensive headphones that they don't wan't to give up. That would make them less willing to lose the 3.5mm jack.

Where the "lower class Wal-Mart" people you are talking about are more likely to use the EarPods that come with the phone, or a cheap set they can pick up at Wal-Mart for $10. They would probably care less about the 3.5mm jack as long as they still get a free set of EarPods with the phone, and can find cheap $10 chinese headphones at the checkout aisle/gas station (which I'm sure they will be able to shortly after the new iPhone is revealed without a 3.5mm jack).

 

[aces99]

Bluetooth is an alternative, but it is not a better one, not right now at least... I have tried 6 different pairs of bluetooth headphones, and there were some good ones, but they were definitely not better than my wired headphones, not even close.

It's not a waste of space with the VAST majority of users who listen to music on their phones rely on that port...

Yes wired headphones are way better than Bluetooth ones. I am not sure how lightening headphones compared to 3.5mm ones as I haven't used them before. But wired are definitely better than non wired.

 

[Beerstalker]

Yes wired headphones are way better than Bluetooth ones. I am not sure how lightening headphones compared to 3.5mm ones as I haven't used them before. But wired are definitely better than non wired.

I wouldn't word it that way. First of all what is "better"? Some would argue bluetooth is "better" simply because it doesn't have a wire and that works better for them. Others may only consider sound quality for "better" etc.

Also, not all wired headphones sound better than all bluetooth headphones. I'm pretty sure a set of Beats, Bose, or any higher end brand bluetooth headphones will sound better than a $10 set of random wired headphones from the gas station. Probably better than the current wired EarPods that come with the iPhone also.

Dollar for dollar, yes you are likely to get better sound quality from a pair of wired headphones. That is just common sense. Wired headphones have less components in them than wireless headphones. So if you are spending $100 on a set of headphones chances are the wired pair are going to have higher quality speakers, enclosures etc, because they don't have the added cost of the batteries, bluetooth hardware, etc.

Personally, if I'm listening to music with headphones on it's because I want some background noise while I'm doing something else. I'm mowing the lawn, riding a bike, working, etc. I'm probably not all that concerned with audio quality as long as it doesn't sound like garbage. Battery life doesn't matter to me because I'm probably only listening for an hour or two at a time max. Not having a cord getting in the way is "better" to me than the difference in audio quality for the same price.

If I'm worried about audio quality I'll sit in front of my home stereo that I've spent a lot more money on than my phone and a pair of headphones.

 

[C DM]

Hard to take this comment seriously with all of the grade 3 spelling mistakes.

Doesn't seem like it was serious based on practically no further posts from the OP, and the couple that were made were not even about the topic or anything of relevance:

Went fishing. Caught me some fish.

This ones a big one. Slapped it on the deck. Cooked it for dinner. Mmmm

 

[aces99]

I wouldn't word it that way. First of all what is "better"? Some would argue bluetooth is "better" simply because it doesn't have a wire and that works better for them. Others may only consider sound quality for "better" etc.

Also, not all wired headphones sound better than all bluetooth headphones. I'm pretty sure a set of Beats, Bose, or any higher end brand bluetooth headphones will sound better than a $10 set of random wired headphones from the gas station. Probably better than the current wired EarPods that come with the iPhone also.

Dollar for dollar, yes you are likely to get better sound quality from a pair of wired headphones. That is just common sense. Wired headphones have less components in them than wireless headphones. So if you are spending $100 on a set of headphones chances are the wired pair are going to have higher quality speakers, enclosures etc, because they don't have the added cost of the batteries, bluetooth hardware, etc.

Personally, if I'm listening to music with headphones on it's because I want some background noise while I'm doing something else. I'm mowing the lawn, riding a bike, working, etc. I'm probably not all that concerned with audio quality as long as it doesn't sound like garbage. Battery life doesn't matter to me because I'm probably only listening for an hour or two at a time max. Not having a cord getting in the way is "better" to me than the difference in audio quality for the same price.

If I'm worried about audio quality I'll sit in front of my home stereo that I've spent a lot more money on than my phone and a pair of headphones.

When I say better I am talking about sound quality and I am comparing an equal set of wired and non wired about the same price. You can't compared a top of the line high end wireless headphones to a cheap bottom end wired headphones. You have to compare an equal set that cost about the same side by side. Wired will always win over wireless headphones as far as audio sound quality every time.

 

[boltjames]

You AUX jack lovers annoy me. You hold back change and progression with your whinging. You pipe up about how Apple will fail because the precious AUX input has been removed.

Retaining the headphone jack for the years-long transition period does not stand in the way of progress at all.

Reminder: Bluetooth works with the iPhone 6 and very few people use Bluetooth headphones.

Reminder: Lightning works with the iPhone 6 and very few manufacturers have developed Lightning headphones.

You have had all the "progress" you have needed since 2014 and neither headphone protocol has distinguished itself. Removing the headphone port is a selfish attempt by Apple to force the issue, and customers and third-party suppliers have already rejected their proposed solutions. I still don't think Apple will remove the headphone jack before a critical mass of Lightning headphones exist. It would be monumentally stupid.

BJ

 

[cynics]

When I say better I am talking about sound quality and I am comparing an equal set of wired and non wired about the same price. You can't compared a top of the line high end wireless headphones to a cheap bottom end wired headphones. You have to compare an equal set that cost about the same side by side. Wired will always win over wireless headphones as far as audio sound quality every time.

This is true...however the caveat is "as long as we aren't referring to mobile devices". In that case bluetooth will eventually surpass wired in sound quality due to the inherent power restrictions of a mobile device.

 

[nia820]

You AUX jack lovers annoy me. You hold back change and progression with your whinging. You pipe up about how Apple will fail because the precious AUX input has been removed.

Yes because advancing wireless technology and getting rid of long, tangly cables is a bad thing

Why do you even buy Apple when you know this is what they do? They move the goalposts. People moan. Then people shut up when they realise why it has been done.

In September we will find out why and it will be awesome.

Funny how you talk about progression when apple continues to put out iPhones that are technologically behind other smartphone manufacturers. The OS is so dumbed downed that it's 2016 and still no file Finder. Lightning ear buds is just another way for Apple to take more control. Apple omitted OIS for 4.7 for no reason whatsoever when other phones of the same size have had it for a while. 750p in 2016 is a joke.


Removing the headphone jack isn't progression. Progression would be doing away with the need of wires period. If apple was really concerned about "progression" they would ship iPhone 7 with Bluetooth ear buds instead stupid lightening headphones that you can't use if you need to charge.

So excuse some of us who won't drink the Apple kool-aid.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

Most interestingly MR had similar debates when Apple dropped ports in rMB.
Same arguments, same approach, same bald servile attitude ("I don't need it", "I never use(d) it", "It is the future" etc.).
In this context it is worth mentioning that at present state of technological development no wireless connection is a match in reliability and quality for a wired one.

 

[The Game 161]

Because it is a waste of space, it takes up a fair amount of space and can be replaced by better alternatives . It will push the adoption of bluetooth, resulting in cheaper, better and longer lasting wireless headphones.

That's the problem the rumor is it's not even being replaced by anything.

 

[Mac 128]

Most interestingly MR had similar debates when Apple dropped ports in rMB.
Same arguments, same approach, same bald servile attitude ("I don't need it", "I never use(d) it", "It is the future" etc.).
In this context it is worth mentioning that at present state of technological development no wireless connection is a match in reliability and quality for a wired one.

That's right, but mobile products are a trade off, convenience vs. functionality. Do you know any mobile phones that have an Ethernet port? And the reality is, technology marches forward every year. It's foolish to look at a rumor like this and assume no improvements in technology may accompany it.

That's the problem the rumor is it's not even being replaced by anything.

I don't recall that rumor. Rumors are based on leaked parts, most typically the external case, and sometimes internal PCBs. For the most part all these rumors have stated is there appears to be a hole big enough for two cameras on a leaked case, there's no hole for a headphone jack and what appears to be a speaker grille, the home button appears to be flush mounted, etc. a PCB board has been leaked with space for a mystery chip -- who knows what that does? Point is, who knows what technology will be added to the phone that benefits from the free space opened up by removing the headphone jack. Unless someone sees a leaked part with an obvious physical change its almost impossible to know what else is coming.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

...Do you know any mobile phones that have an Ethernet port?...

I can come up with such irrelevant questions as well, i.e. do you know any professionals (studios or DJs etc.) that/who use bluetooth haedphones for work?

... And the reality is, technology marches forward every year. It's foolish to look at a rumor like this and assume no improvements in technology may accompany it.

May I draw your kind attention to my OP (once again):

...at present state of technological development...

No one stated that there won't be improvements in technology in the future.

 

[Mac 128]

I can come up with such irrelevant questions as well, i.e. do you know any professionals (studios or DJs etc.) that/who use bluetooth haedphones for work?

May I draw your kind attention to my OP (once again):

No one stated that there won't be improvements in technology in the future.

It's not irrelevant, because we're talking about mobile devices in this thread. Last I checked professional audio studios don't use an iPhone to mix albums.

And I'm aware of your statement, but you're applying the state of present technology to the a rumor about future developments. Now that's irrelevant.