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The “old tech” doesn’t apply when the replacement does not replicate the quality. Like saying forget wired Ethernet, wireless is good enough for everybody! A la MacBook pros. Trash

The problem then comes when you focus exclusively on just one metric while ignoring everything else. For most people, WiFi is good enough that any additional speed increase from a wired connection isn’t worth being tethered to a desk or dealing with cables. So it makes sense to remove the Ethernet port from a laptop and offer a dongle for the minority of users who still need one.

Performance isn’t the only metric which matters to the end user. Other factors such as convenience and ease of use are also just as important, if not more, even if they can’t be readily quantified.

For example, I have gotten so used to my AirPods that I can no longer stand the feel of wires around my neck. This is because I prize portability, ease of use and comfort as much as I do sound quality.

In summary, while you are not wrong in wanting better sound quality in a pair of headphones, the fallacy lies in assuming that sound quality is the only metric which matters in a pair of headphones.

And I think where Apple excels in is knowing which areas to compromise in for their users. Or at least for me. That’s probably why their products seem to work so well for me. Maybe I am their ideal target demographic.
 
I know there will be a huge whinefest by some about how the $10 Apple-supplied adapter will not be up to snuff for those using $1K headphones. In which has I'll have to LOL about expecting a superb listening room environment and experience on a noisy and vibration prone airplane.

The Apple adapter is definitely inferior to $40-1000 or more headphones - even Apple does not dispute this. Aside from the airline industry, people not-in-transit are regularly listening to music via headphones in everyday life; even cars. The percentage of passengers in a noisy airplane is minuscule compared to the rest of us.

The sound from any headphone or speaker system must be from an uncompressed source. Why does the industry compress music today?

The quality of audio provided by a 650MB disc can't be delivered by a 16-512Gb device? Why!

Give me a Bluetooth tech that delivers uncompressed or unprocessed music - I'll never complain about wireless devices. That delivery is myth.

LOL - ? why? This is not 2004. That is ancient text. Say ha ha or just Ha.

The convenience of listening to music on the go should not be compromised by compression - this convenience existed from the days of Walkman without compression.

The lag that happens when the source is AV, any kind of wireless delivery is so less than basic, poor sync.

Even Bluetooth is wireless, I am stating the obvious. The point is, don't think or tell others that even the latest Apple Bluetooth tech is good. It is just better than the previous version, duh.

The final delivery of audio or video to the human is still analog! All the steps in-between the source and delivery "speaker" cause lag or degradation of the original source, even a "64" source from a digital player/device.
 
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Out of interest, have you looked at the Sony XM3s? They’re rating themselves at 30hrs with NC, 38 wired if I recall correctly

The reviews I've seen say that they get hot after a few hours of use. I have a few headphones with similar traits. I tend not to use those headphones for that very reason. I don't have that problem with my QC35's, but they can't be used and charged at the same time and the battery doesn't last as long as my flights. I was excited about the Sony's, but I have an older pair of Sony NC headphones that suffer from the same problem
 
Except of course, apple will have some embedded chip to ensure that your "apple experience" isn't compromised, and will render all non-Apple certified accessories (ie, those subject to a tax from Apple on the manufacturers) nonfunctional.

Yeah. I'm 100% positive NONE of the existing USB-C accessories that work on a regular computer would work with this hypothethcal USB-C iPad
 
The Apple adapter is definitely inferior to $40-1000 or more headphones - even Apple does not dispute this. Aside from the airline industry, people not-in-transit are regularly listening to music via headphones in everyday life; even cars. The percentage of passengers in a noisy airplane is minuscule compared to the rest of us.

The sound from any headphone or speaker system must be from an uncompressed source. Why does the industry compress music today?

The quality of audio provided by a 650MB disc can't be delivered by a 16-512Gb device? Why!

I'm assuming your use of compression has to do with coding, rather than compressing the audio signal before digitizing. Give me a Bluetooth tech that delivers uncompressed or unprocessed music - I'll never complain about wireless devices. That delivery is myth.

LOL - ? why? This is not 2004. That is ancient text. Say ha ha or just Ha.

The convenience of listening to music on the go should not be compromised by compression - this convenience existed from the days of Walkman without compression.

The lag that happens when the source is AV, any kind of wireless delivery is so less than basic, poor sync.

Even Bluetooth is wireless, I am stating the obvious. The point is, don't think or tell others that even the latest Apple Bluetooth tech is good. It is just better than the previous version, duh.

The final delivery of audio or video to the human is still analog! All the steps in-between the source and delivery "speaker" cause lag or degradation of the original source, even a "64" source from a digital player/device.

That very well may be. But there are a few factors to consider. First, is the analog signal chain driving the headphone jack of a phone the pinnacle of audio perfection, worthy of driving the very best headphones? Hardly. There are loads of engineering compromises (less than ideal DACs and amplifiers, with respect to linearity and dynamic range, for example) made in that signal chain that are driven by, among other things, power dissipation, battery life, physical size, acceptable level of distortion, acceptable dynamic range, and cost.

Also, Apple designs for their target market. I suspect a relative small percentage own and want to hook up super expensive headphones to a phone with all of the above engineering compromises.


"Why does the industry compress music today?"

I suspect that's about economics, and the costs of streaming uncompressed music. The labels might have a voice on that matter as well.
 
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THAT is the ONLY reason the 3.5mm is no more. Yet many here cheer that they are being milked for more $

Apple could have released the AirPods with a 3.5mm jack, but then they couldn’t force people to buy it en masse. Simple solution, claim its to make the iPhone waterproof, and the non-critical thinkers applaud the move.

You seem to think that, if the 3.5mm jack is removed, you will, somehow, be forced to buy AirPods. You will have no other option?
 
You seem to think that, if the 3.5mm jack is removed, you will, somehow, be forced to buy AirPods. You will have no other option?

Apple and its AirPods are the best option. Forced or smart, seriously committed buyers will go with Apple.
 
No, you can't charge your devices in South West Airlines, which does count as a major US airline. Much smaller airlines like Frontier also do not offer electrical outlets, leave alone in-flight entertainment.


You are on the wrong thread. This was discussing whether Southwest Airlines had streaming in flight entertainment so you didn't have to plug in, not who had electrical outlets.
 
The issue is having to keep multiple adapters around and juggle them. And half the time you’ll have the wrong one with you.

You are saying that you are incapable of using adapters correctly? I’ve juggled balls, bean bags, and clubs but never adapters. Maybe I should give that a try.
 
Of course you do. When you’ve got expensive good sounding headphones that you travel with because a bunch of airlines in various parts of the world do not allow Bluetooth to be used on the planes. Headphones that can be plugged into the plane itself to hear the movie, or into your iPhone or iPad when you get to your destination. So if I want to use those headphones on a Mac, I use the headphone jack or some sort of usb c adapter. On the iPad I use an adapter which is different that the iPhone adapter?

Or do I throw out my master and dynamic or Grado headphones because you’ve decided I’m behind the times and should be happy with beats or AirPods that keep falling out of my ears (I own AirPods. They don’t stay in.)?


Relax, you can keep you nice headphones. You're on the wrong thread or not understanding this one. The issue was whether you needed a 3.5 mm port to plug into the airlines' entertainment centers, you don't anymore because they all pretty much offer wifi, not whether you plugged into your own device with your headphones.
 
Seems Apple creates these problems where the user is inconvenienced to add cost to their purchase for usability that was included before. The only reason I can fathom is to penny pinch for profits and annoy their users.

I have an iPad Pro and purchased the Smart KB and Apple Pencil. Those were an add on as it was never fused to the main device similar to a case. I would not be happy to run out to purchase a dongle or BT headphones, thus adding to my initial cost.
Seems like a straw man argument. Or the old profits first customers second meme.
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Over the course of the iPad lifecycle it has seen dips in sales. I suspect due to the new design similar to the X, this redesign will see a bump in sales and the next version will be flat or dip similar to the 5.8” Xs model. The addition of a 6.5” and Xr model allows Apple to demonstrate to the market that the company and its recent product releases are doing well, I expect this to be the case at its next earnings call.

Had Apple released a 6.5” X model late year, sales would be flat if not a dip this year. If you believe the display technology was not ready you are kidding yourself.

The product roadmap had a larger display version in the works before the release of the X. Apple does not mind canablizing or holding off a release to gage the market as it can balance out its profit earnings to investors in a progressive manner.

Apple can backup it’s claim by stating that XYZ feature was not ready at release, however this is what their do well.
I agree with the poster you quoted, step forward and buy non-Apple gear...If you believe profits first, customers second. I get it’s your opinion of iPad sales, but maybe the iPad is a device with a longer life than an iPhone. I’m still using my iPad 2 7 years later. It’s good enough for what I need.
 
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Relax, you can keep you nice headphones. You're on the wrong thread or not understanding this one. The issue was whether you needed a 3.5 mm port to plug into the airlines' entertainment centers, you don't anymore because they all pretty much offer wifi, not whether you plugged into your own device with your headphones.
I fly a LOT. Many airlines don’t offer Wi-Fi. None are free.

In any event, why do all you people have to keep telling the rest of us we aren’t using the airplane right? We have our needs, our workflows, our use cases. Great that having to have different adapters for each device isn’t something you need to worry about. But for many it is. You telling us we should just fly on different planes, buy different headphones, carry a different bag with different dedicated dongle compartments, etc. is not very helpful.
 
I fly a LOT. Many airlines don’t offer Wi-Fi. None are free.

In any event, why do all you people have to keep telling the rest of us we aren’t using the airplane right? We have our needs, our workflows, our use cases. Great that having to have different adapters for each device isn’t something you need to worry about. But for many it is. You telling us we should just fly on different planes, buy different headphones, carry a different bag with different dedicated dongle compartments, etc. is not very helpful.

Do you travel with your iPad in some kind of bag (ballistic nylon, leather, denim, etc)?
Engineering solution: Put the <1 ounce headphone adapter in the same bag.
 
Do you travel with your iPad in some kind of bag (ballistic nylon, leather, denim, etc)?
Engineering solution: Put the <1 ounce headphone adapter in the same bag.

Remembering the first time I lost my earbuds (with lightning adapter attached), at an airport before a 3 hour flight, just after getting my iPhone 7 Plus, and no way to replace it with some ****** Hudson News earbuds made me cry.
 
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Everybody knows that but that's not the issue here is it? The issue is that iPad without 3.5 mm jack is inferior to iPad with one.

Well...I certainly can't speak for everybody knowing, but do know from experience that product development and design always involves a set of engineering trades. The question to ask is, assuming the rumor is in fact true, what was gained that the elimination of the headphone jack helped foster?

For some, especially for those who are not able to put a headphone adapter in the same bag their iPad travels in, the answer might be nothing worthwhile was gained.

For others, that trade and resulting benefit might be well worth it and more important than losing the headphone jack.

That's the way it goes...
 
Seems like a straw man argument. Or the old profits first customers second meme.
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I agree with the poster you quoted, step forward and buy non-Apple gear...If you believe profits first, customers second. I get it’s your opinion of iPad sales, but maybe the iPad is a device with a longer life than an iPhone. I’m still using my iPad 2 7 years later. It’s good enough for what I need.

Is there something wrong with keeping the headphone jack, if there is please let me know. Replacing something for no reason does not board well. Music studios don’t replace tried and tested equipment and ports for no reason. Constantly recharging BT devices is not convenient.

Your usage for an iPad differs from others, I have an iPP that replaced my MBP. Does that mean I tell others to buy an iPad instead of a laptop. I understand my usage differs from others. What if Apple discontinued the rMB or MBA tomorrow and says either an iPP or MBP, where does that leave travellers who have become accustomed to the Mac OS environment and have software investments.
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Do you travel with your iPad in some kind of bag (ballistic nylon, leather, denim, etc)?
Engineering solution: Put the <1 ounce headphone adapter in the same bag.

Is Apple providing more value for removing the jack, other than making it thinner and possibly lighter. I suspect no reduction in price either. How about include a rebate or voucher for the port removal ($10+tax). I suspect not.

Let me guess I have a choice, either be forced to go BT or purchase a dongle or loose my software investment and workflow along with any other compatible accessories to remove a jack that is useful to those who appreciate it.

Gotta love all the extra e/waste being caused to replace and to manufacture new,mine,ship and recharge only to replace once the battery is dead.

My wired headphone have been through so much abuse for over 10+ years and still work/sound great. Some wear and and tear that is normal. I would like to see BT headphones keep a decent charge that long.
 
Guys people pay apple to make these decisions,so stop lying,if so mich people were unhappy and not buying apple products because x or y reasons, apple will not be a trillion dollar company today
People love to argue it seems
Simple as that,the rest are words in the wind
 
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The real infuriating thing is having a headphone jack that was made like 200 years ago on a Brand new iPad! Get rid of it

200 years, over-exaggerate much. Yet music studios and a lot of high end audio equipment still have it as standard. Let me guess the iPad Pro is more pro than professional music equipment that is used to create the very content used by an iPad user for consumption.

By this logic we should replace pencils,pens,paper, etc. Let’s get rid of the toothbrush while we are at it, I am sure it is old tech.
 
No, as a pro I use Sound Devices gear, mostly. But I'm not going to carry around external devices all the time. Sometimes I just need to freaking plug in a set of real headphones. How does an existing headphone jack inconvenience you?

I would have thought you use headphones with 1/4" connections? Our gear has 1/4" as Audiophiles will not like 3.5MM lol. Most of the high end phones are 1/4"or balanced.
 
I would have thought you use headphones with 1/4" connections? Our gear has 1/4" as Audiophiles will not like 3.5MM lol. Most of the high end phones are 1/4"or balanced.

Most studios have these adapters readily available and are plentiful. Unless I am being informed that these studios professional equipment is BT ready or USB-C ready.
 
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