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

[Rogifan]

I think Apple's taking a risk by making this change to wireless headphones. Not only that, it's that in all likelihood battery life will be the same since that's Apple's track record despite the hype.

So I'm taking a pass and not buying an iPhone 7, instead I'll enjoy the 6 Plus I have and stick to my wait and see policy on anything new from Apple. That'll be a money saving change from my usual annual upgrades.

Ironically that's how several of my friends feel also, we skipped the 6S due to lackluster features and it's been a refreshing change.

It's good to get off Apple's upgrade train.

Right, because of course Cook & Co. don't want to sell new iPhones. They're perfectly fine if everybody just hangs onto their old phones. In fact I'll bet they had many executive team meetings coming up with ways to get people NOT to buy the iPhone 7. I'm sure Phil Schiller's bonus depends on it.

 

[SkydiveGuy]

If this is so much better... why are they still selling expensive DACs and high end IEMs?

I'll stick with my Fiio X5ii for playing my 96KHz/24-bit FLAC audio files.

For a company that helped spawn the digital audio player market, they sure aren't doing anything to improve the quality of output of their music.

 

[Elvergun]

Smaller devices. Fewer wires. Higher quality audio all round. Better controls. Better noise cancellation tech. Pushing an entire industry forward.

You are just regurgitating what other people have written. Don't you guys have one original thought? Besides, you can have all of that with your current iPhone. A 3.5 will not negate any of the points you made above. You don't have to use wires (except for charging) with the current iPhone, so why should you care if someone walks by you on the street with a wire connected to their iPhone? Smaller devices? Perhaps, but Apple could make a smaller device with a 3.5 jack. Anyone who thinks that Apple is removing the 3.5 jack to push technology forwards is really, really gullible.

 

[nia820]

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I don't really see how adding bluetooth buds solves this problem...

Bluetooth is universal. Lightning connection isn't.

 

[doelcm82]

I think Apple's taking a risk by making this change to wireless headphones. Not only that, it's that in all likelihood battery life will be the same since that's Apple's track record despite the hype.

So I'm taking a pass and not buying an iPhone 7, instead I'll enjoy the 6 Plus I have and stick to my wait and see policy on anything new from Apple. That'll be a money saving change from my usual annual upgrades.

Ironically that's how several of my friends feel also, we skipped the 6S due to lackluster features and it's been a refreshing change.

It's good to get off Apple's upgrade train.

I got off the train six years ago. I only upgrade every other year, so when I do get a new iPhone it has plenty of new features (and always a new form factor).

We don't know all the new features of the iPhone 7, but I'm pretty sure that there will be some that we don't yet know about. And this is my year to upgrade!

I'm glad that you're ready now to declare that you'll hold on to your 6 plus. I just hope you don't change your mind between now and September. It's one less person potentially getting in between me and my new iPhone. Please tell all your ironic friends to also hold off, at least until I get my order in. After that, I don't care.

 

[rugmankc]

I'm tired of Apple getting rid of the things I know and love. First it was then command line interface. Then floppy drives. Then DVD drives. Now 3.5mm connectors. I'm going to protest and start listening to music on cassettes (TDK and Maxell, baby!), 8-tracks, and reel-to-reel only. Using 1/4-inch headphone jacks!!!

I am all for bringing back 8 track tapes

A simpler time--

 

[Aston441]

iPhone 7 will have zero ports, wireless everything including charging, and truly waterproof. Airpods will be bluetooth.

 

[Jsameds]

You are just regurgitating what other people have written. Don't you guys have one original thought? Besides, you can have all of that with your current iPhone. A 3.5 will not negate any of the points you made above except. You don't have to use wires (except for charging) with the current iPhone, so why should you care if someone walks by you on the street with a wire connected to their iPhone? Smaller devices? Perhaps, but Apple could make a smaller device with a 3.5 jack. Anyone who thinks that Apple is removing the 3.5 jack to push technology forwards is really, really gullible.

Excuse me sir they are my thoughts. I've been saying this since the beginning, you insult me.

Two out of two broken iDevices of mine were caused by the headphone cable snagging on things, so yeah it's personally a problem. Regarding technology, I am a big headphone wearer, so I am excited to see what the future holds in the area. There are already some pretty cool developments being made. I saw some lightning headphones with adjustable noise cancellation per ear without the need for a battery. Perfect for air travel and travel in general really.

And Bluetooth needs looking at too. We need an "AirPlay for Bluetooth" ie quality matching or even surpassing that of wired.

And finally for the smaller device thing. Yeah that needs looking into, the 6+ is a ludicrous size and the 6 is a touch too wide and tall. The smaller the better IMO, I can't wait! Bring on the future!

 

[BvizioN]

Anyone who thinks that Apple is removing the 3.5 jack to push technology forwards is really, really gullible.

Gee, it's an ancient 19 century implementation and anyone who thinks Apple is removing it to have a thinner device is really really gullible. I swear, if it was for some people (like some individuals in this forum) we would still be using cassette players ! So terrified of changes some people!!

I remember the cries when Apple removed the 30-pin dock connector (funny how the world didn't end). It's all dejavo again!

 

[OllyW]

iPhone 7 will have zero ports, wireless everything including charging, and truly waterproof. Airpods will be bluetooth.

Now that would be a brave move to advance the iPhone but it would mean Apple losing their lucrative business from the MFi Lightning fees they charge to accessory manufacturers.

 

[Elvergun]

Two out of two broken iDevices of mine were caused by the headphone cable snagging on things, so yeah it's personally a problem.

So, because you have had problems with wires you would take wires away from everyone? Well, I'm sure you must be so glad you can do without wires now. You don't have to wait for the iPhone 7, you know.

Regarding technology, I am a big headphone wearer, so I am excited to see what the future holds in the area. There are already some pretty cool developments being made. I saw some lightning headphones with adjustable noise cancellation per ear without the need for a battery. Perfect for air travel and travel in general really.

Having a 3.5 jack is not going to interfere with the noise cancellation features of that lightning headphone. You can use that wonderful headphone with you current iPhone...you know, the one with the 3.5 jack.

And Bluetooth needs looking at too. We need an "AirPlay for Bluetooth" ie quality matching or even surpassing that of wired.

Are you afraid that engineer will focus on the 3.5 jack, which will distract them from incorporating Bluetooth technologies into future headphone projects?

And finally for the smaller device thing. Yeah that needs looking into, the 6+ is a ludicrous size and the 6 is a touch too wide and tall. The smaller the better IMO, I can't wait! Bring on the future!

Ah yes, the future. Imagine the future we could have had now if they had only retired the 3.5 jack years ago. We would probably be driving flying cars now if not for that old technology which has impeded progress for far too long.

 

[dennysanders]

Dear Apple,

Please remove ALL ports from your devices. Going all wireless would be revolutionary. People no longer need to be tethered to things with cables. This is 2016. Every problem has a wireless solution.

what if the device needs to be restored?

 

[nviz22]

It's interesting how so many people are so conclusory on the 7/7+. I saw some people signed a petition trying to stop Apple removing the 3.5 mm jack lol. That's a great joke. Apple does what it wants. Could it remove the jack? Sure. Could it be water resistant? Sure. Could Apple make a minuscule upgrade and just change the body design only? Sure. The possibilities are endless.

 

[Elvergun]

Now that would be a brave move to advance the iPhone but it would mean Apple losing their lucrative business from the MFi Lightning fees they charge to accessory manufacturers.

Haha...so true. Apple really loves their customers. Profit is never, ever a motive in their decisions.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

what if the device needs to be restored?

Well you just buy another iPhone silly.

And don't post that that happened or 10 guys will counter that their iPhone has never locked up (so apparently yours hasn't either), then blame the problem on you. And if you keep replying they call you a troll or Samesung shill until you just shut up. Problem solved.

 

[Jsameds]

So, because you have had problems with wires you would take wires away from everyone? Well, I'm sure you must be so glad you can do without wires now. You don't have to wait for the iPhone 7, you know.



Having a 3.5 jack is not going to interfere with the noise cancellation features of that lightning headphone. You can use that wonderful headphone with you current iPhone...you know, the one with the 3.5 jack.



Are you afraid that engineer will focus on the 3.5 jack, which will distract them from incorporating Bluetooth technologies into future headphone projects?


Ah yes, the future. Imagine the future we could have had now if they had only retired the 3.5 jack years ago. We would probably be driving flying cars now if not for that old technology which has impeded progress for far too long.

Lol. Sorry that really did make me laugh

The headphone jack is going the way of the dodo. Best get used to it.

Of course there will still be adapters for you luddites, meanwhile the rest of us will enjoy what the future brings, but don't worry, you'll come to your senses one day.

 

[Elvergun]

Gee, it's an ancient 19 century implementation and anyone who thinks Apple is removing it to have a thinner device is really really gullible. I swear, if it was for some people (like some individuals in this forum) we would still be using cassette players ! So terrified of changes some people!!

I remember the cries when Apple removed the 30-pin dock connector (funny how the world didn't end). It's all dejavo again!

People were not terrified. They did not fear the lightning connector or love the old 30-pin connector. People were annoyed because they knew all the money they had spent on 30-pin peripherals would be money flushed down the toilet. And now they are supposed to go through the same song and dance with their headphones? I'm betting that those, like you, who are not "terrified" by this change own crappy headphones. No skin off your back, I suppose. What terrifies me is the prospect of buying a lightning headphone which I will only be able to use with the iPhone. I will not be able to use it even with my other Apple devises. Now that's progress.

 

[BvizioN]

what if the device needs to be restored?

It baffles me how anyone thinks a multi-billion dollar technology giant have not though of workarounds!

People were not terrified. They did not fear the lightning connector or love the old 30-pin connector. People were annoyed because they knew all the money they had spent on 30-pin peripherals would be money flushed down the toilet.

So what? Did you really expect it will be on devices forever? I have spend lots of money on cassettes, movie tapes and what no and all that money has gone down the toilets also! Do I wish I would have the cassette/video tapes around instead of the digital? Hell no!!

 

[maxsix]

I got off the train six years ago. I only upgrade every other year, so when I do get a new iPhone it has plenty of new features (and always a new form factor).

We don't know all the new features of the iPhone 7, but I'm pretty sure that there will be some that we don't yet know about. And this is my year to upgrade!

I'm glad that you're ready now to declare that you'll hold on to your 6 plus. I just hope you don't change your mind between now and September. It's one less person potentially getting in between me and my new iPhone. Please tell all your ironic friends to also hold off, at least until I get my order in. After that, I don't care.

Actually it's going to be relaxing to skip the pre-order madness. I did so last year, amuzed at the chatter here amongst those who fretted over the wait, whether the order was on track etc.

No longer obsessed, its a sign Apple's no longer as compelling as they once were. There's something particularly satisfying about using my well sorted, stable and highly capable iPhone 6 Plus

 

[skinned66]

Well if I can make one criticism it has too much grip for modern devices. With a Walkman or a gameboy a sudden jerk would rip the jack out, but that same jerk can make a phone go flying.

So yeah, I actually think it would be a good idea to replace the jack just for safety's sake. But NOT with lightning.

A fair point worth some consideration. I've lost count of the times I've had my phone hanging from it's audio jack still attached to my head. I prefer it...I would guess it's saved me a cracked screen at least once.

Thanks for bringing it up even if we're on opposite sides of what constitutes better safety

 

[Keirasplace]

with current Bluetooth you are not able to get better sound then a wired headphone. What I mean is, at the end of the day, the best headphones would currently sound better on a wired connect then the same headphones going over Bluetooth.

Why on earth would that be, BT has way more bandwidth than needed to get excellent sound through, a even small buffer on the receiving end would take care of any connection variance. You just invented stuff bud.

 

[Freyqq]

I think the 7S will ditch the headphone connector, but these bluetooth headphones will come with the 7. Have customers spend a year getting use to bluetooth headphones by default, and most won't mind ditching the headphone jack. They can quote some statistic that x% of users use exclusively bluetooth now, which will be a high number as bluetooth headphones come standard.

 

[Elvergun]

Lol. Sorry that really did make me laugh

The headphone jack is going the way of the dodo. Best get used to it.

Of course there will still be adapters for you luddites, meanwhile the rest of us will enjoy what the future brings, but don't worry, you'll come to your senses one day.

Ha...you are living in a fantasy world. Some of us are not upset because we think the jack is going away. The 3.5 jack is going nowhere. What upsets me is the prospect of being forced to another brand of phone if this rumor turns out to be true. I absolutely hate Android. I hope Microsoft gets their act together soon.

So the headphone jack is going the way of the dodo? Really? Show me some of your old posts where you wrote about this possibility. A year ago most of you Nostradamus wannabees did not give a second though to the 3.5 jack...but suddenly, out of nowhere, all of you have become audio industry experts. Here's an LOL right back at you.

 

[OllyW]

what if the device needs to be restored?

The Apple Watch hasn't got Lightning, how do you restore one of them?

 

[Keirasplace]

Not sure how you can make such claims about 20 years from now. Convenience trumps quality in many cases. Today's music and phone calls sound worse than they did 20 years ago.

Huh, what? Most people were listening to poorly mastered CD's on poor stereo systems back then, how was it "better". Even crap bottom heap systems these systems have better sounds than those systems.
AAC 256 if it uses VBR is certainly not worse in any way, it's as good as CD; there was actually a whole thread with references to audio engineers just a month back on this site that says just that.

The chain from producer to listener has been crap through most of the time recorded music has been made.

Where high sampling and bits is most important is in production/mixing, for listening CD and equivalent high bitrate VBR AAC and MP3's is fantastic so says actual legendary sound guys (track the thread). In most cases, considering the type of music played and playback environments, it's way way way over what's actually required.