JBL Announces Noise-Canceling Headphones Powered by USB-C

[Mac 128]

Apple does not have Lightning on any Macs, and never will most likely.


Nobody wants to continue down this path of multiple cable types for different devices, and Apple has to see that the same charger for their new Macbook is the most sensible and convenient method to charge the accessories. As I've already pointed out, Apple is behind USB-C.

I never said Apple currently has Lightning on any Macs, but they sure do on the Mac peripherals.

When you say Macs will never have Lightning, do you really think that if Apple drops the 3.5mm Jack from the iPhone, with which they likely will give away a free set of Lightning headphones, that they will have no way to make them natively compatible with their other products without an adapter? Nothing would kill Apple's effort faster than the customer who buys a new MacBook and iPhone together, along with a new Lightning set of Beats headphones that require a USB-C adapter to use on a MacBook.

You go on to make a specific point about Apple making the chargers the same for their MacBooks and accessories for sensible convenience. But wouldn't it be most sensible if a person could use the same charger for everything, without having a bunch of different cables to accomodate Lightning and USB-C? Since Lightning seems to be Apple's choice of charging port for most of its current products, and it may be the future of wired audio delivery for their most popular device, it seems pretty likely Lightning will be added to the Mac if the 3.5mm Jack is removed from the iPhone (and even if it isn't).

The retina MacBook benifits the most of all, with room for only its single USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack. By switching that 3.5mm Jack to a Lightning port, it gains a redundant power and data port, allowing more common data items to be plugged into USB-C while simultaneously powered by Lightning.

There's also an argument that Apple could streamline its dongle/adapter collection. While Apple makes a lot of money selling multiple dongles to the same customer, they will likely make more by unifying them all to the same connector type -- I.e. Lightning.

 

[Rigby]

Here's an interesting article on Heise.de (german):

http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meld...-analoge-Klinkenstecker-ersetzen-3173050.html

According to this, the industry is rallying around USB-C as a replacement for the 3.5mm jack. The USB-IF is working on a new version of the USB audio specification (scheduled to be finalized middle of the year) which will include both analog and digital modes. In analog mode, it would be a straightforward replacement for the 3.5mm jack (so you'd be able to continue using inexpensive analog head/earphones without an additional DAC/amplifier). Digital mode will include a number of new features compared to the current USB audio specification, such as additional audio formats, support for noise cancellation and multiple microphones.

Looks like this will become the industry standard going forward, which will make retiring the 3.5mm jack much more acceptable in my mind. Apple may or may not be able to replicate the new USB audio features on Lightning, but for the sake of consumers I think they should get rid of their proprietary connector and join the the rest of the world.

 

[SteveW928]

Why do headphones still have wires?

Lots of reasons. BT headsets require power (i.e.: charging) and don't last all that long. There are health concerns for some. And, as others have pointed out, I think there is a fairly big sound-quality difference between wired/wireless yet. There's no big technical reason for the latter, other than just the current state of things with Bluetooth. But, I think the latest versions are getting pretty good? Also, if there is signal interference and such, then wireless is a problem (or, some places don't allow BT devices... I've seen that in libraries).
[doublepost=1460582771][/doublepost]I have to wonder how the wire/connector transition is made for these things. I've broken *so* many headsets, there's no way I'm paying that much unless they are 'sit at my desk in the audio studio' type situation.

I've been on the edge on the wireless/wired thing too. I'm not crazy about putting more wireless things in my life for health reasons, especially not right next to my ear/head for prolonged periods of time. But, BT is also very low power, and there are signals around me all day anyway (that I can't really avoid).

Wireless is sure nicer in terms of not getting wires tangled. But, wired is much more 'solid' in terms of quality/usability, until it breaks. I'm torn. I think my main concern over this whole 1/8" vs USB-C/Lightening thing, is how it will mechanically hold up. While an 1/8" isn't problem free, it seems WAY more mechanically tough than a USB-C/Lightening.

And, please Apple, if you're going USB-C, just do it! Don't keep Lightening just because you've gone down that road.

 

[macs4nw]

.....Not trying to dispel a myth or anything but this penchant for proprietary tech doesn't extend much further than the very discussion we're having. Nobody wants to continue down this path of multiple cable types for different devices, and Apple has to see that the same charger for their new Macbook is the most sensible and convenient method to charge the accessories. As I've already pointed out, Apple is behind USB-C.

I agree Apple is onboard with USB-C, but I'm not convinced they'll adopt it anytime soon on their iOS devices. Perhaps you're right, time will tell.

 

[6836838]

I was just about to ask the same question.

After using these Marley Liberate BTXLs I don't want another pair with wires. My next pair MAY be a set of BEATS but the Liberates are KILLING it right now. Don't want anything less on my ears . . . . especially not something with wires.