New Apple Headphones

[smr]

I have just had an online 'Chat' with an AppleStore expert:

Hi, my name is ???. Welcome to Apple!

???: Hello, how can I help you?

You: Hi ???.

???: Good afternoon

You: I'm interested in ordering the new Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic for use with my first generation iPhone. Will the audio, mic and pause button work with the iPhone?

???: No, it's not compatible with the iPhone

???: However we do have others which are compatible with the iPhone

???: Would you like a link to them?

You: Yes please!

???: Sure

???: Bose® QuietComfort® 3 Communications Kit for iPhone

You: Thanks - I will have a look at those. Bye

???: You're welcome.

???: Thank you for using Apple Chat. If you would like more help, please chat with us again

So, it looks like the new Apple In-Ear phones will not be iPhone compatible

 

[mcdj]

I have just had an online 'Chat' with an AppleStore expert:



So, it looks like the new Apple In-Ear phones will not be iPhone compatible

I'm hoping this is just a case of the product being too new for the "experts" to really know the whole story.

 

[Tosser]

Now, will that be the tell-tale neon sign that Apple is now officially the Bose of home electronics?

 

[Applepi]

Shame on Apple. They would have had a definite purchase from me (and countless others) if the in-ears worked with the iPhone. What the hell were they thinking?

 

[fishmoose]

I have just had an online 'Chat' with an AppleStore expert:



So, it looks like the new Apple In-Ear phones will not be iPhone compatible

yeah but you said first generation iphone which don't have a flushed jack, the 3G iphone have so maybe they work with the 3G?

 

[smr]

I'm hoping this is just a case of the product being too new for the "experts" to really know the whole story.

I'm also hoping the "expert" got it wrong, but the Compatibility Information on the AppleStore page says

Compatibility Information
The remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano (4th generation), iPod classic (120GB), and iPod touch (2nd generation). Audio is supported by all iPod models.

i.e. makes no reference to the iPhone at all, and these new headphones do not appear under the iPhone headset listings on the AppleStore.

This makes me think (as others suggested earlier in this thread) that although the iPhone headphones and these new in-ear phones look to share an identical '4-way' 3.5mm connector, the 'fourth' connector serves different functions on the two making them incompatible.

yeah but you said first generation iphone which don't have a flushed jack, the 3G iphone have so maybe they work with the 3G?

Good point - perhaps someone can have an AppleStore chat and ask about the 3G iPhone?


I have also sent Apple feedback asking if they can bring out an iPhone compatible version of the new headphones. If enough of us ask for this, perhaps they will?

 

[mlemonds]

This makes me think (as others suggested earlier in this thread) that although the iPhone headphones and these new in-ear phones look to share an identical '4-way' 3.5mm connector, the 'fourth' connector serves different functions on the two making them incompatible.

what other point on the iphone would it serve.

if the new ipods and touch record audio from the mic, wouldn't you have:

left / right / input / control?

i am no electrician and have no background in this; just posing a question.

 

[smr]

what other point on the iphone would it serve.

if the new ipods and touch record audio from the mic, wouldn't you have:

left / right / input / control?

i am no electrician and have no background in this; just posing a question.

I'm pretty sure that the tip and second ring on these 3.5mm connectors are the left and right audio channels and the top ("sleeve") connector is ground (signals need a ground to "return" to). Apple has used another ring (fourth) connector for various functions on different iPods over the last few years, and it looks like the function of this extra connector has changed yet again between the iPhone and the new iPods.

The other MacRumors forum thread on this subject has more on this:
Apple In-Ear Headphones NOT compatible with Iphone?

 

[fr33 loader]

... when has apple made a decent set of earphones (Hi-Fi quality or SQ) or even fit-wise for that matter. Second they would definitely work as a set of plain earphones, but whether the "buttons" will work is to be seen.

Hopefully, this coming September. . There's always a first time. We should really reserve our judgement about sound quality until it actually comes out. Plus, sound quality is a highly subjective experience.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Hopefully, this coming September. . There's always a first time. We should really reserve our judgement about sound quality until it actually comes out. Plus, sound quality is a highly subjective experience.

That's true, the non-audiophile would put these on and say WOW. I know because when I had my first mp3 player (iPod Mini)... I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread, and that the included ear buds sounded awesome. Till I bought a set of Shure E2's and was blown away!

For reference, a standard set of any earphones needs "3 sections" or channels in the connector. You have left, right, and ground. Apple adds a fourth section or channel for use in both the mic & button.

With these new in-ear phones, I think that its the same. However apple also incorporates the volume control into the fourth channel, so now you have mic, button, & volume. So if it doesn't work right now, I think it would be as simple as a firmware update for the iPhone to interpret the additional volume signal in the headset.

 

[hookemsccr]

Question...what is the frquency range on these? And are these sound-isolating? If so what is the -db's?

 

[OrlandoTragic]

I just don't ****ing understand why they would do this.
It's stuff like this that really pisses me off about Apple.

 

[mlemonds]

well we can hope that a firmware update will add comparability. There should be one before the end of the month.

 

[BWhaler]

I too must chime in here.

How in heaven's name is this not compatible with the iPhone? "The best iPod we have ever made," to quote Steve, and it is not compatible with Apple's best headphones?

Great sound plus rewind and volume functionality. These are absolutely dream.

This makes no sense to me whatsoever. My hope is now that Apple has 2.1 out which was mostly about bug fixing, 2.2 will bring push and compatibility with these beauties...

Although Apple has been so screwy of late, so who knows...

 

[sammyman]

Any update on these headphones. I am tired of waiting and I need some new headphones before I head to London after Thanksgiving. Are these coming out sometime soon?