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

[oldmacs]

Yes, but what would be the problem if you could do that on screen with 3D Touch instead of a mechanical button?
What if the iPhone had a curved screen along the sides of the iPhone and has dedicated software/3D touch buttons for volume, vibrate switcher, reset button, etc.

Not having to look at the phone, but being able to put it in vibrate, and know you have it in vibrate by feeling it.

 

[ValO]

Not having to look at the phone, but being able to put it in vibrate, and know you have it in vibrate by feeling it.

Tactile feedback of 3D Touch could help with that.
Even some gesture based on multitouch in combination with tactile feedback of 3D Touch could provide that. Squeez the phone on both sides and it is in silent mode.
Think out of the box....
Mechanical buttons are history in about 4 years. In Apple' s case replacing mechanical buttons by software/digital ones will be the way to progress but will also help to increase margins and improve yields/less defects(less moving parts) at the same time.
It is inevitable....

 

[oldmacs]

Tactile feedback of 3D Touch could help with that.
Even some gesture based on multitouch in combination with tactile feedback of 3D Touch could provide that. Squeez the phone on both sides and it is in silent mode.
Think out of the box....
Mechanical buttons are history in about 4 years. In Apple' s case replacing mechanical buttons by software/digital ones will be the way to progress but will also help to increase margins and improve yields/less defects(less moving parts) at the same time.
It is inevitable....

Something as simple as a mute switch, which is a very helpful thing shouldn't require 'thinking outside the box'. Its a mute switch, that is currently very easy to find, very easy to use and just plain very easy.

 

[Tycho24]

Erm, no, because we wouldn't take it so seriously as their are more important things in life.....

Just calm down & watch it already!!!
College Humor is an American comedy website. It is NOT "so serious"; I promise!! (& you obviously could use a chuckle).
You're literally the most bitter person that has ever or will ever live... lighten up!!!!! =)

 

[Rogifan]

Oh yeah. Because Apple never got it wrong before.
It makes you wonder why they thought of re-hiring Steve Jobs in 96 when they were doing so, so well.

Of course these are different times and different people, but everybody can get it wrong from time to time.

Of course they can get things wrong. But iPhone isn't just anything to Apple it's everything. Apple is not going to get rid of the headphone jack without having some idea of the impact to iPhone sales. This isn't a "we're going to do it and assume everyone will just put up with it" kind of thing. Apple stock has lost like $200B in value over the past few months mostly due to concerns about iPhone sales. If Apple has data that suggests removing the headphone jack will either make people not upgrade or make them go Android it's not happening IMO. My guess though is the data they have shows most people listen to music primarily on their phone and with the headphones that came in the box or are using wireless ones. And audiophiles won't factor into this decision.

 

[zhenya]

The headphone jack on iPhone is actually the KEY point of loss in sound quality. As I stated, the DAC in iPhone doesn't support 96000/24, so you don't want to use that. Instead you should be using an external DAC that hooks to the iPhone via Lightning, OR (if you're using headphones) use their Bluetooth DAC. And surely you can hear difference if you just have the equipment. No, you might not hear it with the over compressed pop music these days, but try listening to some classical music which spans a lot more frequencies. If you just have a pair of good $500-700 headphones, you will be able to hear a difference. Especially in the top frequencies.

Apple could move to an internal DAC that supports high resolution audio with no trouble at all. Most modern phones already do. Moving it outboard changes this equation not at all.

 

[Poisednoise]

See here's the thing - people keep saying "Apple is going to push the industry forwards". This is not a socket that's just going to go away. Just around my house at the moment:


Macbook. Due to be replaced next summer, but at the moment all new MacBooks have 3.5mm sockets anyway, don't they?

My Studiodock monitors. Not planning on replacing them any time soon.

My 5K iMac. Not planning on replacing any time soon.

My landline phone. Not planning on replacing any time soon.

My Contour bedside clock/radio. Not planning on replacing any time soon.

The Q-monitors in my kitchen. Not planning on replacing any time soon.

One of my Airports, used for Airplay. Not planning on replacing any time soon.

My TV. Not planning on replacing any time soon.

My hi-fi amp. Not planning on replacing any time soon.

Ok to be fair, this is my iMacquarium. These sockets don't do anything...

I didn't bother taking pictures of my iPhone and iPad.

Sure, a lot of these sockets aren't used by me much of the time, if ever. But my point is, almost anything with audio in or out currently uses a 3.5mm socket. And whatever you may think, these companies are not going to change to bluetooth/lightning. They're just not - there's no reason for it. There may be good reasons for Apple wanting to ditch the 3.5mm socket (I'm not convinced, but I know many of you are ), but please don't pretend that the 3.5mm jack/socket's impending obsolescence is one of them.

 

[ValO]

Something as simple as a mute switch, which is a very helpful thing shouldn't require 'thinking outside the box'. Its a mute switch, that is currently very easy to find, very easy to use and just plain very easy.

But for you it does obviously ;

Less moving parts, more space in the phones, making the phone thinner, lighter, waterproof, improving yields, margins. What if Apple makes an iPhone with a curved screen on the side of the phone, where would the mechanical switch go ?

We are talking about Apple , they went with a nano sim over micro sim to create space in the phone....

This is Apple, and it is Apple' s way.

 

[Narcaz]

Of course they can get things wrong. But iPhone isn't just anything to Apple it's everything. Apple is not going to get rid of the headphone jack without having some idea of the impact to iPhone sales. This isn't a "we're going to do it and assume everyone will just put up with it" kind of thing. Apple stock has lost like $200B in value over the past few months mostly due to concerns about iPhone sales. If Apple has data that suggests removing the headphone jack will either make people not upgrade or make them go Android it's not happening IMO. My guess though is the data they have shows most people listen to music primarily on their phone and with the headphones that came in the box or are using wireless ones. And audiophiles won't factor into this decision.

I tend to agree with your assessment in the last two posts, but i wonder what kind of data led to the incoherent USB C/ Lightning move in 2015. They are sending out a really weird message. I mean at first they make a bolt move with the single USB C port on the 12'' rMB. It's the future connection, the one port to rule them all. So far, so good. Early adopters are forced to use an USB A to USB/C adapter to sync/charge their iOS devices with their Lightning cables. Ok, it's a transition period. But why didn't they care to release an official Lightning to USB C cable?

And to add further to the public confusion about the future USB C standard, they released all those Lightning products (iPP, Siri Remote, Keyboard, Trackpad). And an iMac update with classic USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 2 ports. And my personal favorite in terms of confusing port choices is the ATV4: hdmi to connect it to the TV, USB C to reset firmware (no official Apple cable), Lightning on the Remote and USB A to charge the remote (charger not included). Seriously?

They gave me the impression that they don't have a clear roadmap for their port choices. If this headphone jack rumor turns out to be true, they are taking a huge gamble. Imo it is not the best idea to try this with your cash cow. Hopefully the rest of the 2016 lineup like the rMBP etc. takes a clear stance about what ports are used in the future and which ones die out. I really don't want add more crappy adapters to my pile of Apple adapters.

 

[zhenya]

I tend to agree with your assessment in the last two posts, but i wonder what kind of data led to the incoherent USB C/ Lightning move in 2015. They are sending out a really weird message. I mean at first they make a bolt move with the single USB C port on the 12'' rMB. It's the future connection, the one port to rule them all. So far, so good. Early adopters are forced to use an USB A to USB/C adapter to sync/charge their iOS devices with their Lightning cables. Ok, it's a transition period. But why didn't they care to release an official Lightning to USB C cable?

And to add further to the public confusion about the future USB C standard, they released all those Lightning products (iPP, Siri Remote, Keyboard, Trackpad). And an iMac update with classic USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 2 ports. And my personal favorite in terms of confusing port choices is the ATV4: hdmi to connect it to the TV, USB C to reset firmware (no official Apple cable), Lightning on the Remote and USB A to charge the remote (charger not included). Seriously?

They gave me the impression that they don't have a clear roadmap for their port choices. If this headphone jack rumor turns out to be true, they are taking a huge gamble. Imo it is not the best idea to try this with your cash cow. Hopefully the rest of the 2016 lineup like the rMBP etc. takes a clear stance about what ports are used in the future and which ones die out. I really don't want add more crappy adapters to my pile of Apple's adapters.

I think it's pretty clear that computers get usb, everything else - iOS devices accessories, etc. - get lightning. I don't expect this to change.

 

[malexandria]

Just not a fan of Wireless Headphones. It's just one more unnecessary item that I have to worry about charging all the time. It isn't like having a cable for my heaphones is a hassle. Whereas keeping up with charging wireless headphones IS.

 

[StoneJack]

It will all come down to the money.
When Apple will include a lightning to 3,5 mm adapter and standard earbuds in the box of the iPhone 7, Or lightning based earbuds. I really don' t see the problem. But if Apple will sell the iPhone without such a solution , and you have to spend extra money for a solution it will harm the public opinion and customer satisfaction more then we can even imagine. Then they will really look like the money grabbing company a lot of people are already implying.It will backfire .
So keeping my fingers crossed....

Next stops for future iPhones :

-no mechanical buttons(including touchid, volume buttons, etc) , but touchscreen controls.
- no more speaker holes( vibration tech through screen)
- no more visible front camera' s and sensors( in screen)
-no more lightning connectors, but wireless charging.
-no more seems between housing and front glass( front glass " melted" in liquidmetal body).

No more holes!

Such phone exists few years, it is Sharp Aquos, a truly stunning beauty

 

[Poisednoise]

It will all come down to the money.
When Apple will include a lightning to 3,5 mm adapter and standard earbuds in the box of the iPhone 7, Or lightning based earbuds. I really don' t see the problem. But if Apple will sell the iPhone without such a solution , and you have to spend extra money for a solution it will harm the public opinion and customer satisfaction more then we can even imagine. Then they will really look like the money grabbing company a lot of people are already implying.It will backfire .
So keeping my fingers crossed....

Next stops for future iPhones :

-no mechanical buttons(including touchid, volume buttons, etc) , but touchscreen controls.
- no more speaker holes( vibration tech through screen)
- no more visible front camera' s and sensors( in screen)
-no more lightning connectors, but wireless charging.
-no more seems between housing and front glass( front glass " melted" in liquidmetal body).

No more holes!

Won't we still need a hole for the microphone?

 

[jujufreeze]

Sadly, removing the 3.5mm jack continues the devolution of Apple under Cook. When your only vision is maximizing profits for your shareholders with Sir Ive noodling around on ios, I really just miss Steve Jobs

 

[Tycho24]

Such phone exists few years, it is Sharp Aquos, a truly stunning beauty

Yes, yes... that was a cute gimmick & helped me sell quite a few of those $80-$150 outright phones on Boost wireless. However, obviously, they don't have designers of Apple's caliber & nearly every one of them came back with the complaint "you can't hear from the speaker behind the screen"... also having the front facing camera on the bottom & having to flip the phone upside down to take selfie felt weird to most, also there IS a visible camera on that screen as I just said & there ARE physical power & volume controls, sooooooooo...... no offense but, your point was NOT made. There exists no phone (or even bad attempt) with the features the op outlined.

 

[Popeye206]

Sadly, removing the 3.5mm jack continues the devolution of Apple under Cook. When your only vision is maximizing profits for your shareholders with Sir Ive noodling around on ios, I really just miss Steve Jobs

When SJ was around Apple had no trouble dumping standards like CD Drives or refusing to add BluRay support. I'm sure if Apple is going to do this, it's well thought out. They are not going to risk an iPhone flop.

 

[SactoGuy18]

When SJ was around Apple had no trouble dumping standards like CD Drives or refusing to add BluRay support. I'm sure if Apple is going to do this, it's well thought out. They are not going to risk an iPhone flop.

Actually, Apple cited the complex licensing requirements for Blu-ray technology in 2006 as the reason why the iMac and MacBook Pro models at the time didn't incorporate a Blu-ray compatible optical disk drive. They could have done it in 2008 when the Blu-ray Disc Association drastically simplified licensing requirements, but Jobs never took up on that offer.

I still think the Apple may offer either something akin to the old iPod FM radio adapter (which plugs into the Lightning port) for connection by any headphone with a 3.5 mm jack or a new version of the iPhone Smart Battery case that includes a 3.5 mm headphone connector and built-in DAC/headphone amplifier.

 

[jujufreeze]

I still think the Apple may offer either something akin to the old iPod FM radio adapter (which plugs into the Lightning port) for connection by any headphone with a 3.5 mm jack or a new version of the iPhone Smart Battery case that includes a 3.5 mm headphone connector and built-in DAC/headphone amplifier.

A clunky adapter or iHump with a 3.5 mm jack. That's progress.

 

[Rigby]

The headphone jack on iPhone is actually the KEY point of loss in sound quality. As I stated, the DAC in iPhone doesn't support 96000/24, so you don't want to use that.

And what does that have to do with the headphone jack? If Apple want to support more sampling rates than are currently supported, they can simply update the internal DAC. There is absolutely no need to change the connector, which is already capable of transmitting the audio from the DAC to your ears in perfect quality.

Instead you should be using an external DAC that hooks to the iPhone via Lightning, OR (if you're using headphones) use their Bluetooth DAC.

You can do all of this today. Again, no need to remove the connector that the vast majority of people are actually using.

And surely you can hear difference if you just have the equipment. No, you might not hear it with the over compressed pop music these days, but try listening to some classical music which spans a lot more frequencies. If you just have a pair of good $500-700 headphones, you will be able to hear a difference. Especially in the top frequencies.

I don't think so, but you are of course free to believe what you want. If you are actually interested in facts, you may want to take a look at a technical report that was published by the Audio Engineering Society a while ago:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ossless-its-2015.1830026/page-4#post-21700520

 

[JimmyHook]

I am going to write a petition to ask Apple to remove every port from every device. It's time we moved into the wireless future. WiFi AirPlay technology and BT low energy are sufficient for data transfer, and all that's left is wireless charging. We can and should do it. Cords and plugs are lame excuses for poor tech companies living in the past.
[doublepost=1452440020][/doublepost]I can't believe how resistant people are to progress. The same people would have complained about automobiles in the early 1900s (which is when the headphone jack was invented). Get your antiquated tech out of here!

 

[jtuk]

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...

I use my headphones for phonecalls. Where would the microphone be on tiny wireless earpods?! You would have to hold phone near your mouth to speak? What about charging your phone and listening to music and making phone calls on wired lightning headphones? ??
A very disappointing idea. Isn't it thin enough as is??? I don't much care about waterproof phones....how often do you use a phone under water????

 

[CE3]

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.

Well since a number of people in this thread have mentioned all the data Apple collects when they consider making these decisions, responses in threads like this and a petition that apparently already has over 227,000 signatures (all based on a rumor) should be valuable to them as well.

If it turns out to be true, I'll be interested to find out the official reasoning behind it. The 7's camera is going to be the biggest upgrade deciding factor for me (I'm hoping for a significant leap forward this time.. and no.. I don't care if the lens protrudes).

I personally like having a headphone jack on my iPhone but don't need it there like I do on my iPad or MacBook. That said, the move would still likely result in me needing an overpriced adapter for at least one of my accessories, and I'm in agreement with many of the arguments against it.

 

[Rigby]

Apple could move to an internal DAC that supports high resolution audio with no trouble at all. Most modern phones already do. Moving it outboard changes this equation not at all.

There has been some speculation that the DAC in the recent iPhone models (apparently being a customized chip derived from Cirrus Logic's CD42L series) is already capable of 96KHz/24-bit playback. So it's possibly just a software restriction in iOS.

 

[Poisednoise]

I can't believe how resistant people are to progress. The same people would have complained about automobiles in the early 1900s (which is when the headphone jack was invented). Get your antiquated tech out of here!

The very first headphone dates from 1910. The 3.5mm jack dates from 1979. Not that this is relevant to the discussion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones

 

[AxoNeuron]

Apple stuff isn't way more expensive than premium, on average it's about the same price as the other premium options if you actually look.

The problem isn't that Apple is charging premium prices. The problem is that Apple delivers sub-par products at those premium prices.

I mean seriously, a $650 phone in the year 2015 with only 16GB storage? That's not 'premium' at all, especially since it would have only cost Apple a few pennies per phone to move it to 32GB. Same with their garbage MacBook that should have never left the drawing board. It's not that it doesn't have a good processor, the real problem is that it is so limited by heat that it throttles itself after just a few seconds of intensive use to basically become a high end Atom processor. Even Microsoft found a way to solve this problem in the Surface Pro with innovative water cooling, you'd never see this from Apple these days. Apple's 5K iMac is being driven by an awful AMD graphics card that isn't replaceable, that's not premium, it will be awfully slow after just 2 years.

Apple used to sell premium products and I was fine with paying an arm and a leg for them. But now Apple has been taken over by a bunch of idiotic MBA school drones that couldn't 'think different' if their lives depended on it.