iPhone 7 May Ship With Lightning-Connected EarPods, New Wireless Earphones Also Under Development

[lchlch]

there are no words that one can use to describe how wrong and ignorant you are that wont get them in trouble on theses forums. school has failed you.

All sound you hear is analog, all speakers are analog.

The amount of data for an analog signal can be quantified as well =.=

 

[Enygmatic]

I'm not seeing anybody being so extreme in the counterpoint. If you're referring to me, "EVER" is never said, nor implied. I have said: show us something better than the "as is" or even show us the path to something better even at the expense of having to deal with adapters between now and then.

If these ENGINEERS have something tangibly better to roll out, great! We're just not seeing it here... or yet. Instead, the rumor implies something that "just works" fine and requires no adapters is apparently being replaced by something that comes with proprietary strings attached and- either way- we probably need to buy at least something else if we want to keep something that already "just works" just working for us consumers too.

If the rumor was that Lightning is being replaced by (even) USB3c, that would make the whole rumor more palatable (for me anyway) too. Then at least it would be a "standard" not controlled by just one corporation and adapters for the standard would not have to pay only one company for licensing the required technology. Yes, that would still come with the burden of adapters but it would mitigate the appearance of mostly a corporate greed play.

Furthermore, I said nothing about blocking "genuine progress". I'm simply looking for the progress here. So far the spin of progress is revolving around "waterproof" which can be done without jettisoning a licensing-free, thoroughly ubiquitous port or even sacrificing the strive for "thinner," as Apple makes an iPhone-like product with 3.5mm that IS already thinner.

As is, if the rumor is true, the replacement Lightning buds or headphones won't even be directly usable with the Apple Macs we already own. And it also implies that future Macs will need to come with Lightning connectors when Apple has just taken an apparent stand that USB3c is the port of "the future" on Macs. So which is it?

Putting words in someone else's mouth or puffing up points to extremes doesn't make the case against what I just basically repeated above. If whatever this rumor leads to is really better FOR US CONSUMERS, great! As is, it mostly appears to be better for Apple and maybe AAPL- a licensing and accessories profit play more than anything else. If so, our "expense" is not just "comfort and familiarity" but hard dollars for basically little-to-no tangible gain... and probably some accessory hassle.

Not referring to you personally... don't know who you are - simply hit the 'Reply' button.

*skims rest of the novel*

Why don't we wait and see what they actually do, instead of jump to the rash and hyperbolic "greed" (always an interesting attack on a company/business, in my view) and "doom" prophecies. These are rumors. Hilariously early rumors at that.

My point - the original one you replied to, as well as my response to you - is twofold:
1. Proprietary connections are the way Apple goes. It's been their mantra with Macs, and especially with their iDevices from the very beginning. If that's a deal-breaker for some, that's what it is... though I suspect it would've been the case long ago. Other OEMs will ditch the analog port as well, so the core argument (or whining) about having to buy new accessories would be moot - Bluetooth being a non factor.
2. Let's see what they actually announce in 8 months or whenever. They have teams of people working at every angle on these products, and despite people proclaiming the death of the company because a product or accessory (or rumor about) doesn't fit their particular use case or preference/comfort, the track record points to Apple getting it right more often than not. I doubt this about getting 'thinner' (solely)... both the iPod and iPad are thinner than the iPhone, and both sport the jack. Could it be there are some unconsidered benefits and prior patents Apple holds that will play here? We'll have to WAIT to find out.

Steve made a great point at D10, I believe, saying that the company is just made up of people, doing the best they can. He also loved the consumer market for its clear model: "if they like it, they'll buy them... and if they don't, they won't. And it'll all work itself out." My guess is, 'accessory hassles' or no, hundreds of millions of people will be just fine.

 

[opfreak]

"What the heck are you talking about?"

That's a nice straw man you created. Ranting on about something that doesn't address what I posted, but rather put up so you could go on and on.

I think most people understand, including myself as an Electrical Engineer who specializes in both analog and digital signal processing, that sound propagates through moving air driven by a transducer and received by a person's eardrum, and that is an analog process.

Perhaps you can point to what I said that merits your response? That said, there are a lot of benefits, of a digital interface, particularly one that is powered (like USB C or Lightning), for creating superior audio products that Apple and other companies might choose to create someday.

If you insist on using a 100+ year old analog interface for listening to your music, that's fine. HTC, Samsung, Microsoft, Sanyo etc have a product for you. At least until they follow Apple.

what digital device exists to listen to music? please show us all you brilliant engineer?

 

[aquajaws]

Oh dear...connecting in my car will be a pain in the ass. Or, I'll have to buy a Lightning to 3.5mm cord, if that'll exist.

I have this and love it https://griffintechnology.com/us/co...th-autopilot-controls-and-lightning-connector

 

[Elvergun]

Even if you process the convert the data to an analog signal on the phone you'll still be bottlenecked by the 3.5mm jack and the cable when playing higher quality audio.

I'm afraid that's not the way things work.

 

[aquajaws]

How will I charge my phone? In the car I don't mind having two outs; one 3.5 and a separate for charging. For all other use I don't want such a cable with a flappy unused charging input. How does one get around having to buy multiple extra cables?

This works really well for me

https://griffintechnology.com/us/co...th-autopilot-controls-and-lightning-connector

 

[AxoNeuron]

Apple has made a lot of bad decisions in the last year or two that will hurt it badly in the long run. But this decision will definitely hurt. I don't think Apple realizes how attached some people are to their headphones. A lot of people just aren't gonna upgrade to a phone that won't work with their current headphones.

For years, the obsession with making phones thinner was a good thing and made the devices more pocketable. But now it's beginning to get ridiculous. I just don't see any practical benefit to making the iPhone any thinner than it already is, in fact I can only see downsides (and there are many).

 

[Elvergun]

My point - the original one you replied to, as well as my response to you - is twofold:
1. Proprietary connections are the way Apple goes. It's been their mantra with Macs, and especially with their iDevices from the very beginning. If that's a deal-breaker for some, that's what it is... though I suspect it would've been the case long ago. Other OEMs will ditch the analog port as well, so the core argument (or whining) about having to buy new accessories would be moot - Bluetooth being a non factor.

Your points are wrong. Macs do not have a proprietary connector. Firewire and thunderbolt (Apple did help with development) are not Apple technologies. They did not replace the floppy and the DVD drive with something proprietary. The only proprietary connectors that Apple introduced are the 30-pin and the the lightning connectors.

Other OEMs will never ditch the analog port -- there is no reason for them to do so. Your core argument is based on fantasy and little electrical signals in your brain which only you believe are the truth.

 

[Rigby]

Why don't we wait and see what they actually do, instead of jump to the rash and hyperbolic "greed" (always an interesting attack on a company/business, in my view) and "doom" prophecies. These are rumors. Hilariously early rumors at that.

My point - the original one you replied to, as well as my response to you - is twofold:
1. Proprietary connections are the way Apple goes. It's been their mantra with Macs, and especially with their iDevices from the very beginning.

When did Apple last use a proprietary connector on Macs? I can't think of a single one (except for the power connector, where until recently no standard existed). Even the less successful connectors championed by Apple (Firewire and Thunderbolt) are standardized.

If that's a deal-breaker for some, that's what it is... though I suspect it would've been the case long ago. Other OEMs will ditch the analog port as well, so the core argument (or whining) about having to buy new accessories would be moot

Perhaps, but even if they do, they will almost certainly not try to replace it with a proprietary connector. In my book the main issue with this move is not so much the need to buy new accessories, but just the hassle of dealing with a proprietary connector that will not work across all devices that I use with headphones (and not even Apple's own products) without some stupid adapters that are easy to lose or forget.

2. Let's see what they actually announce in 8 months or whenever.

Indeed. I still have some hope that this is just another false rumor. I have a hard time believing that they would even consider such a stupid and unnecessary move.

 

[lchlch]

I'm afraid that's not the way things work.

If I'm wrong can you please correct me. I'm open to learning more.

 

[Elvergun]

If I'm wrong can you please correct me. I'm open to learning more.

Look it up with Google. You can also learn about DACs (and headphones and amplifiers) here: http://www.head-fi.org.

 

[lchlch]

Look it up with Google. You can also learn about DACs (and headphones and amplifiers) here: http://www.head-fi.org.

That's not an explanation ...

 

[Elvergun]

That's not an explanation ...

I'm not your teacher. If you want to learn, you have to do it on your own. But in a nutshell...the DAC converts a digital signal to analog. The quality of the analog signal depends on the quality of the DAC. If a crappy DAC converts a low quality mp3 to analog, you will hear crappy sound from your headphones. If you send a high resolution audio signal to a good DAC, you will hear good stuff from your headphones. Once the signal is converted to analog, there is no more data or data transfers involved. There are no bottlenecks to analog signals (well, some people believe silver wire is better than copper wire to transfer that analog signal, but that's a whole different subject).

 

[citysnaps]

what digital device exists to listen to music? please show us all you brilliant engineer?

I'm not aware of any digital transducers. Your snarky comment aside, perhaps you know of some? It appears you have failed to understand the discussion is about digital interfaces and signaling, not devices/transducers. There is a difference.

 

[lchlch]

There are no bottlenecks to analog signals (well, some people believe silver wire is better than copper wire to transfer that analog signal, but that's a whole different subject).

Sorry but this is the only part that's relevant to the point I've made. I understand what's a dac and what's an amp. Maybe you've misunderstood my post.

But thanks, now I have something to help kill my time.

 

[sean3]

One less port on my iPhone to collect dust. I'm fine with Apple doing away the 3.5 connector. In fact, I was just thinking the past few months, how much easier it would be to manager a bluetooth set like the LG Tones. Charge it nightly, get a few hours use out of them, I don't use them all day anyway. Just when I take my dog out, for trips, and gym.

 

[Keirasplace]

A wireless only iPhone would render the phone useless on a plane...

Can't listen to the audio...

Hopefully any wireless headset would be better than Apple's first attempt at a bluetooth device - which also had poor battery life.

Apple forget that a consumer device can be a few mm larger to accommodate a bigger battery to ensure good battery life...

That's been covered, doesn't anyone actually read before responding?
BT is allowed for the last 2.5 years.

 

[Urban Joe]

I suppose Bose will provide a compatible ear cord. Still prefer a cable connection.

 

[Enygmatic]

When did Apple last use a proprietary connector on Macs? I can't think of a single one (except for the power connector, where until recently no standard existed). Even the less successful connectors championed by Apple (Firewire and Thunderbolt) are standardized.
Perhaps, but even if they do, they will almost certainly not try to replace it with a proprietary connector. In my book the main issue with this move is not so much the need to buy new accessories, but just the hassle of dealing with a proprietary connector that will not work across all devices that I use with headphones (and not even Apple's own products) without some stupid adapters that are easy to lose or forget.
Indeed. I still have some hope that this is just another false rumor. I have a hard time believing that they would even consider such a stupid and unnecessary move.

I was thinking about Apple's MagSafe - didn't realize there wasn't any form of standardization for chargers. So I misspoke (typed) there. As for iDevices, they've always used them. I doubt other OEMs will go that route, obviously, but the community gripe of "adapters" and/or "repurchasing" remains even if they go to a (likely) standard.

Is it impossible to imagine 3rd Party (or even Apple's own Beats) Bluetooth headphones coming with multiple cords - one Lightning, the other USB-C (some new phones like the 6P even come with two different cables)? That would solve everything, including connecting to future Macs - which I believe will add USB-C rather than Lightning.

Is that possible? Who knows? Again, we'll see.

 

[Keirasplace]

I've been a loyal Apple fan for almost ten years now but this will be what forces me to an android phone... I regularly charge my phone and listen to music at the same time and I don't feel that I should be forced to pay a headphone premium for the privilege due to Apple's obsession with thinness. Hopefully this is just a rumor

Melodramatic pap... That's what I hear in your sentence.
Considering that thinness, even if it were true, would NOT be the reason for this, the rant makes even less sense.
Because of the physics of cameras, Apple can't really make it significantly thinner; the Ipod has a weaker camera and that's why it is thinner.

 

[BvizioN]

A wireless only iPhone would render the phone useless on a plane...

Can't listen to the audio....

And why exactly is that?

I have always listened music through powerbeats 2 on the planes, no problem. You put the phone on Airplane mode and then enable Bluetooth.

I have absolutely no problem with Apple removing the ancient 3.5 connector. If it was for people, we would still be using cassette, video tapes and what not! People are always afraid of letting go an old technology for a newer one. But changes have to me made and some companies have to be first to do it.

 

[pratikindia]

If it will be wireless, then what about hi-def audio ?

 

[bniu]

if it ain't broke ...

Fix it before it breaks!

 

[bmunge]

Here's a petition to tell Apple to keep the headphone jack http://action.sumofus.org/a/iphone-headphone-jack/?sub=taf

That's so cute

 

[ramzijw]

Until USB 3.1c becomes the standard, there's still going to be an adapter. And there's no guarantee this will become the next standard, nor how long it will persist. Apple can at least control Lightning, and keep it around as long as necessary, so people don't end up with a bunch USBC headphones that will be out of fashion in a few years.

USB 3.1c is more standard than having a lightning set of headphones. I don't see how USB 3.1c will become redundant over lightning since USB 3.1c is capable of so much more. Heck even the iPhone nows still uses usb 2, and look how long thats been around.

The long game here is wireless, so Apple really only needs to keep it going until wireless reaches a point where convenience and quality are close enough to current wired technology.

Also having the ability to have cross over capability would be a good point for both parties, as you general hear more people switching to mac, than to PC, so i wouldn't see that harming apple at all. Imagine that you have your usb c headphones from your PC or Android device, and now want to enter into the Apple ecosystem... you now have to buy another set of headphones.....This doesn't seem like a good way to win new customers over. So the benefit that it will last even longer than the lightning port since its capable or more and potential attract more customers from other plateforms.

Having one standard port that can do everything to me seems a lot simpler and easier for all consumers. There is no need to worry about whether your new device is compatible with your apple laptop/phone.