Woz Laments No Headphone Jack on iPhone 7, Sees USB-C as Future of Audio

[Nozuka]

Definitely wired for me. Don't want to charge my headphones too...

But i'll be fine with an adapter. I have never wanted to charge and listen to music at the same time. And i can just leave the adapter on my headphones.

But i still wish it was USB-C. This is going to be annoying when other devices will suddenly need an USB-C adapter and i'm using the Lightning Adapter for my Phone...

 

[flyinmac]

Agreed - Once we have a decent solution for wireless power, I think consumers will warm more to the idea of ditching cables entirely.

Oh, the solution is there. I've seen it. I know the guy whose designed it. The idea of charging devices is obsolete. The idea of electrical outlets is obsolete. The idea of everything being powered through the airwaves is real and works.

But, don't expect it anytime soon. The establishment isn't done with the current design limitation.

Imagine putting your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, computer, etc. anywhere you like, without thinking about a power cord, electrical outlet, or even batteries. No fuel.

Just put it where you like. Even out in the driveway or the middle of the road. Why not. It'll work.

Batteries and power cords are both obsolete.

I've seen the future without them. It's impressive. But the world isn't in a rush to implement it.

Until then, I'll stick with my wired accessories as much as possible. I hate dead batteries.

 

[djcerla]

I think it's partly because it's standardised across the industry and almost everything uses the jack. Plus there's absolutely no comparison if you're serious about high audio quality (as I know you are)! Regardless, I do agree with you that it is the future, and a lot of people aren't quite ready to embrace the change; myself included.
.

Thanks, indeed I am serious about quality!

But it's very obvious to me that such a bold move from Apple's part will boost wireless audio technology and diversity to no end, just like Apple's deprecation of Flash dramatically speeded up HTML5 video deployment.

 

[S.B.G]

"If it's missing the 3.5mm earphone jack, that's going to tick off a lot of people," claimed Woz

No doubt about that; its already happening online based solely on rumors.

If it ends up true it will be an adjustment, and I'll adapt to to (no pun intended). I already have two pairs of BeoPlay BT headphones that I like a lot and once in a while I use my wired earbuds (not Apple ones). That's when the adapter will need to be used of course, or I'll just buy a newer version of them in the new format.

Overall, for me, it won't be that big of a deal to change over.

 

[Koudspeel]

Both USB-C and Lightning cable are way thicker than the standard 3.5mm cables are. Both cables will be hard to manoeuvre nicely to either my jeans or jacket when tucking away my iPhone when listening music. Wireless doesn't give me great sound quality and an adaptar just looks troublesome to me; it'll be a lump on the iPhone, which again is hard to put in your pocket when listening to music.

 

[AVEGA]

If iPhone 7 had USB C & Lightning connectors that would be a different story all together and be more future proof and be universal. It would be annoying to not have headphone jack but the change would make sense and wouldn't take away a feature but change it .

 

[spiderman0616]

I stopped caring about any and all of Woz's thoughts or opinions on Apple years ago. He does an awful lot of criticizing for someone who hasn't done anything relevant in tech for decades.

 

[Arran]

...someone who hasn't done anything relevant in tech for decades.

Have any of us here?

 

[8692574]

Have any of us here?

In a way pulling your leg I could say yes we had a HUGE impact in technology, without our spending spree there would not be R&D investments .


But I know what you ment!

 

[maflynn]

I wished Apple would embrace USB-C for the iPhone, I think it makes too much sense to use the industry standard then their own proprietary port.

 

[x-evil-x]

Unless apple switches to USB-C, people will be mad. Headphone makers wont all bend to apples will to create lightning headphones. Some will, and some do, but why make headphones only apple devices can use? What happens when another port transition occurs?

headphone makers can still make 3.5 headphones and there will be higher quality dacs for improved sound of your existing headphones. Unless you don't want that because you hate adapters.
[doublepost=1472036417][/doublepost]

It's painful for me. I am keeping my 6S, because I recently purchased a Shure SE846 earphones, one of the best earphones Shure made. Guess what? It's not wireless.

I don't want to shell out another $300 for a Wireless headphone, because if I do, it'll be a Bose Quietcomfort 35, AND on top of the iPhone 7. So no. I'm sticking with the 6S and wait for the 10th year anniversary iPhone 8.

Kinda sad, because I upgrade the iPhone yearly too.

So you will wait a year to not have the headphone jack?

 

[maflynn]

I stopped caring about any and all of Woz's thoughts or opinions on Apple years ago. He does an awful lot of criticizing for someone who hasn't done anything relevant in tech for decades.

He's be perfect as a Macrumors member then

Seriously the man has some serious chops and people still listen to him because of skills and insights. I may not always agree with his opinions but I do respect and admire the man

 

[Mildredop]

Wired stuff is not the future.

It's so obvious it's almost painful, but resistance to change is so strong here.

If wired stuff is not the future, why are Apple getting rid of the old wired standard for a new wired standard? Why aren't they just leaving the old wired 3.5mm jack for those that want it and working on a better wireless standard to tempt people over?

 

[dannyyankou]

Wireless audio isn't "flat". I have a pair and they are better than my wired ones. Good figure.

Maybe you're wired ones are just crap. It's technically impossible for wireless headphones to be better than wired ones because of the specifications of Bluetooth.

 

[x-evil-x]

Maybe you're wired ones are just crap. It's technically impossible for wireless headphones to be better than wired ones because of the specifications of Bluetooth.

What bluetooth headphones/earbuds have you listened to lately?

 

[Adam Warlock]

No offence to Wozniak, but he was never the visionary type.

You think the current goofballs running Apple are?

 

[x-evil-x]

I was talking about the lightning one (since the issue is how do i charge and use the lightning headphones..)... and a quick photoshop (a bad one i know) shows you..

Boom problem solved!!!!! (I should be working for Griffin or similar )

Needs to be a lightning and 3.5 on the bottom instead

 

[timber]

I don't like anything wireless exactly because they have batteries and batteries have to be charged. I really don't care about audio quality after a certain point (that any phones a audiophile would dispose would do).

I can live with wireless when there are clear advantages (like for example console gamepads) and the appliances last enough between charges (console gamepads are also a good example because they allow for a hefty battery and at the same time they need some weight to work well).

In phone I don't also care a lot about charging and using the jack but I can see that being a problem for iPads (who would undoubtedly follow) who are used for media reasons (most are I guesse, mine is)

So I will just skip the whole issue until forced to deal with it. In that case I would prefer USB-C, then Lightning and only then bluetooth.

 

[dannyyankou]

What bluetooth headphones/earbuds have you listened to lately?

I tried a pair of Jaybirds and powerbeats last year at an Apple Store and they were some of the worst headphones I've ever heard.

 

[x-evil-x]

I tried a pair of Jaybirds and powerbeats last year at an Apple Store and they were some of the worst headphones I've ever heard.

You took the jaybirds out of the package put in the memory foam tips and listened to them? They are one of the best sounding earbuds out there(If you get a good seal). Ones that come in the box are decent but the ones you get from comply make them sound much much better. Where they the X2's?

 

[spiderman0616]

Have any of us here?

No--that's what makes these forums so incredibly unbearable. FAR too much whining.

 

[dannyyankou]

You took the jaybirds out of the package put in the memory foam tips and listened to them? They are one of the best sounding earbuds out there(If you get a good seal). Ones that come in the box are decent but the ones you get from comply make them sound much much better. Where they the X2's?

I think it was the X's. But I've looked at reviews of X2's and they don't tout sound as an improvement, and if I thought they were terrible out of the package I doubt changing a pair of ear tips will change my opinion...

 

[x-evil-x]

I think it was the X's. But I've looked at reviews of X2's and they don't tout sound as an improvement, and if I thought they were terrible out of the package I doubt changing a pair of ear tips will change my opinion...

Thats like saying the silicone tips make or break earbuds...
If you are against something to start with chances are you won't like them.
Biggest improvement for them was the other tips. Ive had the bluebudx for years then the x2's and now the freedoms with the sound app. Haven't used my 200$ wired earbuds in a while and i have a pair of klisch s4i for backups if these randomly lose power. Things can be greatly improved with a proper seal and no sound leak like with the ones sold in the package...

 

[Col4bin]

Ever heard of a wireless earphone/headphone before? Jesus.

Are you buying?

 

[hsotnicam8002]

Woz it got to do with him? He's an aged stick in the mud who hasn't realised that people have been using bluetooth headsets with their idevices for years. And who, aside from the squillionaires, has a car that is so quiet that quality music can be heard anyway? Go Android Woz!