Too bad 3.5mm-lightning adapters are impossible

[eoblaed]

Judging by all the pearl-clutching I'm seeing over the potential loss of the 3.5mm jack, you'd think a 3.5mm to lightning adapter was impossible.

Perhaps these people know something I don't.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was such an adapter provided with the phone. If there's not, adapters will be plentiful. Don't worry, we'll all be able to use whatever headphones we want to use with our phones, and in addition, the phone will have one less entry point for water, foreign particles, etc, and will have more space for other features (extra speaker, more battery, whatever).

Really, it'll be ok folks.

 

[2298754]

The only annoying thing I forsee is for those older cars without USB jacks. You would need some sort of dongle that will allow it to charge and use a regular 3.5mm aux cable.

 

[Jimmy James]

One for me.
One for my wife.
Maybe one shared with pass through charging.
One for each car
It adds up. Not to mention a slight inconvenience for those who aren't completely wireless.
[doublepost=1468533511][/doublepost]And since we're presumably getting lightning headphones do I now need to get yet another set to use with my laptop? The set I have now is worn out and it looks like I'll need to buy an extra set I otherwise wouldn't have to. Because Apple is fragmenting their hardware.

 

[skinned66]

One for me.
One for my wife.
Maybe one shared with pass through charging.
One for each car
It adds up. Not to mention a slight inconvenience for those who aren't completely wireless.

Let's not forget how much Apple's current DAC converter costs.
Under $5 on Amazon. Moral of the story: don't buy phone accessories from Apple.

It's most likely either going to be a larger connector than 3.5" stereo jack (i.e. above) directly attached to outside of the phone or it's going to be an extra mass with a cable lead somewhere between the phone and my ears - which makes it a snag point and another damn thing to fumble around my pockets.

If they make something better fantastic, but I definitely want neither of the above.

 

[eoblaed]

The only annoying thing I forsee is for those older cars without USB jacks. You would need some sort of dongle that will allow it to charge and use a regular 3.5mm aux cable.

If they don't have USB jacks, then they're either using the cig lighter to charge their phones, or not charging them at all. This won't change with the new phone (and an adapter).

 

[bluespark]

Let's not forget how much Apple's current DAC converter costs.
Under $5 on Amazon. Moral of the story: don't buy phone accessories from Apple.

It's most likely either going to be a larger connector than 3.5" stereo jack (i.e. above) directly attached to outside of the phone or it's going to be an extra mass with a cable lead somewhere between the phone and my ears - which makes it a snag point and another damn thing to fumble around my pockets.

If they make something better fantastic, but I definitely want neither of the above.

That's not a DAC. The Dock Connector wasn't analog.

 

[mantan]

So we're at the point where having an adapter is a reasonable solution? That's simple and'just works'

Adapters get lost, broken, forgotten etc. It's adds one more thing to keep up without giving us anything functional in return.

 

[eoblaed]

Technology marches on. Old tech gets replaced by new. It's the way it's always been and will always be. Every time there's a shift, there are those that resist and try hard to hold on to the old simply because it's what they've used. In my nearly five decades on this earth, I've seen it happen repeatedly.

Yes, an adapter is a reasonable solution to allow us to transition to a new standard.

 

[nikabobriht]

I've tried an adapter and it works.

 

[mantan]

Technology marches on. Old tech gets replaced by new. It's the way it's always been and will always be. Every time there's a shift, there are those that resist and try hard to hold on to the old simply because it's what they've used. In my nearly five decades on this earth, I've seen it happen repeatedly.

Yes, an adapter is a reasonable solution to allow us to transition to a new standard.

You've also been around long enough to realize not all new technology is good technology. If this was about improving something technology/usability, I'd be all for it. But this is a clear money grab to push the use of a proprietary interface. I can't wait for Eddie to tout the advantages of a Lightning set of Beats.

 

[cynics]

Are there adapters? There should be nothing stopping manufacturers from making them now vs waiting for the port to disappear than making them.

Per a post in this thread I was only aware of Apples lightning dock which has a 3.5mm port so I might be wrong and there are others. The dock doesn't allow for accessories to work like credit card swipers and other tools (airflow meter in my case) besides its an overly bulky solution since it's not designed to be mobile. So at this point I'm a little skeptical of adapters.

Depending on the non rumored final product I may skip this years iPhone to allow for 3rd party manufacturers to catch up. Don't worry Apple I'll probably be getting a new iMac this year (Tim Cook breathes a sigh of releif)....

 

[bufffilm]

You've also been around long enough to realize not all new technology is good technology. If this was about improving something technology/usability, I'd be all for it. But this is a clear money grab to push the use of a proprietary interface. I can't wait for Eddie to tout the advantages of a Lightning set of Beats.

Too bad that Apple won't release two versions of the new iPhone: one with the 3.5" jack and one without to see what the public prefers and which sells more.

I'm in favor of keeping the jack.

 

[Pakaku]

http://www.locoisle.com/media/catal...319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/f/i/file_351.jpg

I have one of these, and the only problem is no volume control. It expects the adapter to have its own volume slider, like a stereo or a car radio would.

I don't know if the latest operating systems support their own volume controls being active while plugged into a sound system. The version my phone runs certainly doesn't. That means unless they specifically update the OS to support it, the adapter will need buttons, and that's going to be a little awkward if it's controlled off of a tiny stub.

 

[eoblaed]

You've also been around long enough to realize not all new technology is good technology. If this was about improving something technology/usability, I'd be all for it. But this is a clear money grab to push the use of a proprietary interface. I can't wait for Eddie to tout the advantages of a Lightning set of Beats.

Other independent sources have already touted the advantage of lightning interfaced headphones. Going from an old, analog connection that's not terribly efficient to a fully digital connection has yielded an improvement in audio fidelity according to reviewers.

Also, using single ports for multiple purposes is a trend that's been on-going in the industry for some time and is a trend that Apple has been fully on-board with. It simplifies manufacturing, gives extra options for space, size, functionality, and in the case of small mobile devices, reduces the number of large ingress points.

Personally, I would much rather have a second external speaker and/or extra battery over a 3.5mm jack that's just not needed anymore.

 

[mantan]

Other independent sources have already touted the advantage of lightning interfaced headphones. Going from an old, analog connection that's not terribly efficient to a fully digital connection has yielded an improvement in audio fidelity according to reviewers.

Also, using single ports for multiple purposes is a trend that's been on-going in the industry for some time and is a trend that Apple has been fully on-board with. It simplifies manufacturing, gives extra options for space, size, functionality, and in the case of small mobile devices, reduces the number of large ingress points.

Personally, I would much rather have a second external speaker and/or extra battery over a 3.5mm jack that's just not needed anymore.

People have been listening to digitally compressed audio files through cheap ear buds and/or overpriced fashion headphones for 10+ years. It's hard for me to believe that 99% of listeners will be able to discern any difference.

If Apple wanted to go to a single port, great. Use USB-C - something that can truly be universal (and that's supported in their own MacBook). Don't go to a lightning cable that doesn't exist outside of Apple and causes people to need clunky adapters.

This is a pure flat straight money grab. It's an easy way to sell people lightning enabled or wireless Beats, wireless earbuds or whatever else they can do to monetize removing the adapter.

I don't blame them. Their job is to make money for their shareholders. But I'm surprised how many people will try to cobble together a rational reason (like better audio sound) as a legitimate reason.

 

[skinned66]

That's not a DAC.

Not its primary function but there's a DAC in it. A Wolfson WM8533. It supports analog audio.

Overview
This adapter lets you connect devices with a Lightning connector to many of your 30-pin accessories.* Supports analog audio output and USB audio, as well as syncing and charging. Video output not supported.
​

Imagine if it was just an adapter at that price? Never mind, it's not really that hard.

 

[Abazigal]

Too bad that Apple won't release two versions of the new iPhone: one with the 3.5" jack and one without to see what the public prefers and which sells more.

I'm in favor of keeping the jack.

Perhaps Apple might, but to me, that would be defeating the purpose, unless Apple attempts to skew sales in favour of the latter by limiting certain newer features to the iPhone without the headphone jack, such as a new colour, better camera, higher storage tier options, wireless charging etc.

It's either a good idea or a bad idea to remove the headphone jack (from Apple's perspective), and continuing to offer both just muddies your messaging. How would you justify the need to remove the headphone jack, while still continuing to offer a model with it.

At the end of the day, I say scrap the jack. It will likely be a messy transition, but I want to believe that I as a consumer will be better off for it in the long run, and I am willing to follow Apple all the way on this.

 

[leon44]

If they don't have USB jacks, then they're either using the cig lighter to charge their phones, or not charging them at all. This won't change with the new phone (and an adapter).

I think his point was you couldn't plug it in to the cig lighter to charge and listen to music at the same time

 

[bufffilm]

Perhaps Apple might, but to me, that would be defeating the purpose, unless Apple attempts to skew sales in favour of the latter by limiting certain newer features to the iPhone without the headphone jack, such as a new colour, better camera, higher storage tier options, wireless charging etc.

It's either a good idea or a bad idea to remove the headphone jack (from Apple's perspective), and continuing to offer both just muddies your messaging. How would you justify the need to remove the headphone jack, while still continuing to offer a model with it.

At the end of the day, I say scrap the jack. It will likely be a messy transition, but I want to believe that I as a consumer will be better off for it in the long run, and I am willing to follow Apple all the way on this.

It's true that offering both would just muddle the water.

Wishful thinking on my part, I guess.

 

[eoblaed]

I think his point was you couldn't plug it in to the cig lighter to charge and listen to music at the same time

I'd be shocked if there wasn't a pass through adapter that allowed both power and data.

 

[5105973]

Technology marches on. Old tech gets replaced by new. It's the way it's always been and will always be. Every time there's a shift, there are those that resist and try hard to hold on to the old simply because it's what they've used. In my nearly five decades on this earth, I've seen it happen repeatedly.

Yes, an adapter is a reasonable solution to allow us to transition to a new standard.

Someone else may already have pointed this out but this "new standard" is completely proprietary, much like memory sticks are for Sony. And we see just how that turned out isolating Sony.

3.5 mm is a true standard because it can apply across the board among many varied devices from countless manufacturers. And it's stood the test of time. I don't see lightning going that same route. I doubt even Apple will keep it around beyond another couple of years. They are so obsessed with minimalism they will eventually do away with all switches and buttons and holes and it will look just like a Hershey bar. Not that there's anything wrong with that, except I might try to eat it.

 

[Closingracer]

Judging by all the pearl-clutching I'm seeing over the potential loss of the 3.5mm jack, you'd think a 3.5mm to lightning adapter was impossible.

Perhaps these people know something I don't.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was such an adapter provided with the phone. If there's not, adapters will be plentiful. Don't worry, we'll all be able to use whatever headphones we want to use with our phones, and in addition, the phone will have one less entry point for water, foreign particles, etc, and will have more space for other features (extra speaker, more battery, whatever).

Really, it'll be ok folks.

That's not the problem..... You shouldn't be forced to spend your money in my an adapter or even forced to carry it along because they want to remove it..... I will gladly go back to whatever Android device that will still have a 3.5 mm headphone jack. I am not married to Apple nor am I a fanboy.

 

[JoeG4]

Oh I'm sure you'll be able to get some kind of dongle from Apple. It'll probably be $29 or $39.

 

[Closingracer]

Technology marches on. Old tech gets replaced by new. It's the way it's always been and will always be. Every time there's a shift, there are those that resist and try hard to hold on to the old simply because it's what they've used. In my nearly five decades on this earth, I've seen it happen repeatedly.

Yes, an adapter is a reasonable solution to allow us to transition to a new standard.

The lightning port is very very very very very very very very very very very very far from being a standard. My other problem with the lighting port is that it's proprietary and only on Apple devices. I will NOT stand for that since I have plenty of other devices which does NOT have one along with my Macbook Pro, Windows laptops, Android tablets and console controllers. I will NOT buy another iPhone if they do this and NOT add a USB C port instead. I am all for advancing technology but using a proprietary port is not advancing anything than lining Apple already greedy pockets. USB C headphones would be a step in the right direction for the general mass not Apples way. Sorry I'm no Apple drone and not drinking their Kool-aid either.

 

[Closingracer]

You've also been around long enough to realize not all new technology is good technology. If this was about improving something technology/usability, I'd be all for it. But this is a clear money grab to push the use of a proprietary interface. I can't wait for Eddie to tout the advantages of a Lightning set of Beats.

I won't be buying an iPhone when my sprint Lease is up and will probably buy the rumored Note 7 is released if they do release am iPhone with no 3.5 mm headphone jack