Why? The iPod Touch is/was thinner than the iPhone 6 - and it still managed the 3.5mm jack!
If Apple does this, they better include a converter in the box - otherwise there'll be a lot of angry high-end headphone owners.
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Supply Chain Rumors Reaffirm iPhone 7 Will Not Have Headphone Jack
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Why? The iPod Touch is/was thinner than the iPhone 6 - and it still managed the 3.5mm jack!
If Apple does this, they better include a converter in the box - otherwise there'll be a lot of angry high-end headphone owners.
I have yet to see any{one} tell me why this is good for the consumer.
1. Headphones will cost more because it will take head phone companies new R&D to manufacture new head phones. Built new plants to make lightning ports and standards and licensing fees they pay apple.
2. You won't be able to charge your phone while listing to music.
3. Bluetooth is crap because it drains your phones battery life, audio quality often sucks compared to standard head phones, the head phones battery lift sucks and often people don't even use head phones, they use cheap ear phones and plus and play.
1. Headphones will cost more because it will take head phone companies new R&D to manufacture new head phones. Built new plants to make lightning ports and standards and licensing fees they pay apple.
2. You won't be able to charge your phone while listing to music.
3. Bluetooth is crap because it drains your phones battery life, audio quality often sucks compared to standard head phones, the head phones battery lift sucks and often people don't even use head phones, they use cheap ear phones and plus and play.
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Zero benefit for the user indeed. If that adapter pops out of the phone, the adapter itself and the phone are now prone to damage. Dumb idea.
Seems like the Apple team needs to re-read Donald Norman's The Design of Everyday Things. They've forgotten the fundamentals.
Considering that it has not even been confirmed it's worth realising that there only needs to be a 10% shift and the majority will prefer the lightning over the 3.5mm jack.
I remember the kerfuffle when lightning was introduced, yet if you ever use an old 30 pin connector on an iPhone 4s after being used to the lightning connector, the old one almost seems as laughable as the original brick phones.
Apple should include an adapter with the iPhone 7 as well as start selling a separate one. Future iPhones can omit this adapter but at least the transition will be smoother and less people will gripe.
Just buy a hump case to charge the phone while listening to music...wait it doesn't fit...
A bit of both.
I don't own super expensive headphones, but I don't see any good reason why I need to replace the ones I currently use and enjoy. What's the benefit? A thinner iPhone? Does anyone really need or even want that? Also, you would then need multiple headphones if you have any vintage (or modern, for that matter) audio gear.
At this point, there's not much about iOS that makes me want to stay in the Apple ecosystem. The introduction of the Music app absolutely killed in-car functionality for me, and genre-based genius playlists are no longer available. Add to that the oversized and ugly design of the iPhone 6 -- I still prefer my old 4S -- and I'm growing more inclined to explore the other options. To end this rant, Siri is officially the worst, most useless gimmick I have ever encountered -- worse than Ping in iTunes. I would literally pay Apple to remove it from iOS altogether.
Seems like it could signal the start of mass adoption of digital headphones.
Also I'm sure there will be an adapter so your phone can be charged while listening to music. Whether Apple charges for it is anybody's guess; if this rumor is true.
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Including an adapter is so un-Apple like. What Apple is more likely to do is include updated EarPods with a lightning connector instead of the 3.5mm connector.
Need an adapter for older 3.5mm plug headphones? Apple will gladly sell you one for $19.99 or some other ridiculous price to ensure their 80%+ profit margin.
We'll get EarPods like we currently get, only they'll have a lightning connector instead of 3.5mm.
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Ah yes another Sexy adapter I need to look after and try and not to lose :-/
It's a bit of a joke that Apple is starting to compromise so much on there devices so much these days by simply chucking an adapter as the solution.
An adapter = everything apple use to be against, as in simplicity should be the key.
Why? Have your lost your lightning cable or charging brick? I guess we'll all have to see in 9 months.
Sorry, but the head phone adapter IS being lost to Bluetooth. It is a standard option in almost all cars now and Bluetooth headphones are becoming more and more popular. The vast majority of people listening to music on their phones are listening to compressed audio or streaming online.
Just because Bluetooth isn't up to your standards doesn't mean there aren't other valid reasons to eliminate older tech for newer ones. There are a lot of rumors that the iPhone 7 will be waterproof and this may be another reason to take steps.
My whole point is that people are very narrow minded in general when it comes to change.
Amazing how many people don't like decent sound. Then again, in this day an age, I suppose it isn't surprising.
A charger brick isnt a tiny adapter apple would be selling. Or at least I hope!
Meh, whatever.
I'm about done with Apple for music stuff. iTunes is a complete **** show on Mac OS X. The music app in iOS seems to be regressing in usability with each release. Listening to music is no longer a simple nor enjoyable experience through Apple hardware, so I'm not surprised they're ditching the 3.5mm jack.
Makes me wish I had my iPod Video back. Things were so simple and straightforward back then. I don't understand why everything has to be so goddam complicated these days.
-SC
I'm about done with Apple for music stuff. iTunes is a complete **** show on Mac OS X. The music app in iOS seems to be regressing in usability with each release. Listening to music is no longer a simple nor enjoyable experience through Apple hardware, so I'm not surprised they're ditching the 3.5mm jack.
Makes me wish I had my iPod Video back. Things were so simple and straightforward back then. I don't understand why everything has to be so goddam complicated these days.
-SC
You forgot to mention that it will crack or outright break within a year. But worry not, you'll lose it before that.
Phil (on-stage): We've completely redesigned the stereo output for our iPhone. Now you will have premium sound output regardless of the type of headset. Gone are the days of decades old 3.5mm phono jack inputs and now we've switched over to our advanced 8-pin apple lightning port design you can bet you'll get great sound no matter what the type of headphones you own. You know how we love to advance our technologies at apple so for all those who are transitioning we offer you our 3.5mm to lightning adapters for $39 each. We don't include these adapters because out of the box our new headphones included already adapts to the advanced lightning port. (audience golf claps...)
what's deemed universal standard apple gets rid of it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 3.5mm phono jack adapted for hundreds of millions of headphones. this is just to secure a license lock on iPhone accessories. Pure business answer to a problem no one was asking.
what's deemed universal standard apple gets rid of it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 3.5mm phono jack adapted for hundreds of millions of headphones. this is just to secure a license lock on iPhone accessories. Pure business answer to a problem no one was asking.
Doubt it. I don't care what rumors say. The iPhone is Apple's major cash cow. This is a move that would alienate a lot of people. Resorting to an adapter would be disastrous. This won't happen. Is there any compelling reason, other than making the phone thinner, to do this?
I know people are going to be angry about this... But like it or not, this has to happen sooner or later, and there is never really going to be a better time than now - waiting won't make it any easier. The 3.5mm jack takes up a significant amount of space, and on a small device, that space matters. Keeping the headphone jack is just delaying the inevitable.
This reminds me of when people were slamming Apple for not adding Blu-Ray to Mac. Steve asserted that streaming was the future, and look now... who really wants a blu-ray drive? Yes, it sucked for a couple of years while we transition to newer technology, but there's not way around that. The headphone issue is really the same philosophy - simpler products, wireless when possible. I have no doubt that after couple of years (which may include some transition pains), people will fully support moving on from the legacy 3.5mm jack.
This reminds me of when people were slamming Apple for not adding Blu-Ray to Mac. Steve asserted that streaming was the future, and look now... who really wants a blu-ray drive? Yes, it sucked for a couple of years while we transition to newer technology, but there's not way around that. The headphone issue is really the same philosophy - simpler products, wireless when possible. I have no doubt that after couple of years (which may include some transition pains), people will fully support moving on from the legacy 3.5mm jack.
I can use my current wired 3.5mm headphones with my iPhone, my iPod, my Mac Book Pro, my Mac Book Air, my Mac Pro, my Mac Mini, and every single ne of my stereo amplifiers and audio systems. I can also use ones that aren't quite so expensive, but useful when the situation requires a headphone. I CANNOT USE A NEW "APPLE" LIGHTNING JACK ON ANY OF THESE EQUIPMENTS. Supposely ONLY on the new iPhone. Major failure, Apple. The 3.5mm is an industry standard. Your other jacks have never been. I don't see any other audio manufacturers (or phone manufacturers) using the Lightning connection. Only Apple. There comes a point where the masses of the world will say 'ENOUGH" and flip a big middle-digit Emojli your way.
I support this. Both my earbuds (for running) and my headset (for listening to music) are Bluetooth and it's awesome.
What Apple may lose in "audiophiles" will be more than made up for by the droves of people who pick up the iPhone that comes with free Bluetooth earbuds...
What Apple may lose in "audiophiles" will be more than made up for by the droves of people who pick up the iPhone that comes with free Bluetooth earbuds...
Well apple will use that saved space to shrink the phone another 0.000001 mm.
The answer to the 3.5mm Jack is NOT a proprietary port. In fact there are no downsides the headphone jack. Many phones and devices have managed to be far thinner than an phone, so that excuse is just a bull**** sorry excuse.
If it means getting a water proof phone I'm in.
If it means the phone gets 2mm thinner, I'm not a fan
If it means the phone gets 2mm thinner, I'm not a fan