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Great. iPhone 3GS headphone jack.

M

MaxRabbit

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 11, 2008
13
0
Only Apple! They had to screw everyone over with the recessed headphone jack in the first iPhone. Now, with the 3GS, it breaks all older headphones! Even the buttons on the original iPhone headphones won't work! (That's the moral of this story; read on for details.)

I first noticed this problem with my V-Moda Vibe Duo's mic and button-they wouldn't work. Sometimes clicking the button would bring up voice control.

Then I began noticing that plugging in other headphones would sometimes pop up voice control when they were plugged in.

So I figured my iPhone was faulty, and went to the Apple Store in Pittsburgh right after my Army drills on Sunday. I described the problem, they attempted to fix it to no avail. It was jailbroken and they knew, so they restored it (which I had also tried). Still no luck.

They said they don't normally help out customers with jailbroken phones, but they happily would give me an exception for being in the Army. So they gave me a brand new phone!

I was very happy with their service! So I left and tried my V-Moda's clicker: nothing. Same with my 2G iPhone headphones. Apparently, the only headphones that work with the 3GS are the ones that come with it, and the ones made newly for it.

I feel very bad about the fact that they gave me a replacement for a perfectly working phone (it didn't have a single scratch!), but I'm enraged at Apple. Why do they concentrate so hard on the details in some ways, and then screw you over with the simplest things?!

If anyone has anything to add, or suggestions to make, please do :)
 
My new cd player doesn't play cassette tapes !!!!


since when did Apple state that the iphone 3gs would be 100% BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE with all 2g/3g accessories ?

Just move on and drop the issue.
 
My V-Moda Vibe Duos (that I used with my 1st gen iPhone) work just fine with my 3GS.

The Ultimate Ears MetroFi 200v headphones that I have work with the 3GS.

I can't test my 1st gen headphones because I sold them along with the iPhone.
 
lollicup said:
My new cd player doesn't play cassette tapes !!!!
Since when did Apple state that the iphone 3gs would be 100% BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE with all 2g/3g accessories ?

Just move on and drop the issue.
Click to expand...

Yeah, we're not so much talking about all 2g/3g accessories-just headphones that used to pause and unpause music/answer the phone. I could begin to understand 3rd party headphones, but 1st party headphones not functioning seems a little strange. It's not like it's 5 years later or anything.
 
MaxRabbit said:
Only Apple! They had to screw everyone over with the recessed headphone jack in the first iPhone. Now, with the 3GS, it breaks all older headphones! Even the buttons on the original iPhone headphones won't work! (That's the moral of this story; read on for details.)

I first noticed this problem with my V-Moda Vibe Duo's mic and button-they wouldn't work. Sometimes clicking the button would bring up voice control.

Then I began noticing that plugging in other headphones would sometimes pop up voice control when they were plugged in.

So I figured my iPhone was faulty, and went to the Apple Store in Pittsburgh right after my Army drills on Sunday. I described the problem, they attempted to fix it to no avail. It was jailbroken and they knew, so they restored it (which I had also tried). Still no luck.

They said they don't normally help out customers with jailbroken phones, but they happily would give me an exception for being in the Army. So they gave me a brand new phone!

I was very happy with their service! So I left and tried my V-Moda's clicker: nothing. Same with my 2G iPhone headphones. Apparently, the only headphones that work with the 3GS are the ones that come with it, and the ones made newly for it.

I feel very bad about the fact that they gave me a replacement for a perfectly working phone (it didn't have a single scratch!), but I'm enraged at Apple. Why do they concentrate so hard on the details in some ways, and then screw you over with the simplest things?!

If anyone has anything to add, or suggestions to make, please do :)
Click to expand...

Maybe your phone is broken. Mine work just fine.
 
maybe it's those piece of garbage vmoda's acting up. I had 4 pairs of those eventually break on me within 2 years time.
 
calvy said:
maybe it's those piece of garbage vmoda's acting up. I had 4 pairs of those eventually break on me within 2 years time.
Click to expand...

Same here. 3 pairs in less than 2 years. I can't believe I spent $100 on them; worst piece of hardware I've ever owned.

At least their customer support is pretty decent.:rolleyes:
 
lollicup said:
My new cd player doesn't play cassette tapes !!!!


since when did Apple state that the iphone 3gs would be 100% BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE with all 2g/3g accessories ?

Just move on and drop the issue.
Click to expand...

Wow, did you forget to take your Ritalin this morning?

The point that the OP is making is that there's no reason to make the accessories incompatible other than "because they can". And that's pain inthe arse, because it restricts your choice.
 
RobMoss said:
The point that the OP is making is that there's no reason to make the accessories incompatible other than "because they can". And that's pain inthe arse, because it restricts your choice.
Click to expand...

anjinhamarota said:
Did you even read his post? Apple replaced his phone and the same thing happened.
Click to expand...
Thank you, anjinhamarota and RobMoss, for understanding completely what I mean. The rest of you: I understand that I asked for suggestions, but you're suggesting routes that I said I took!

Joseph: I don't mind the headphones activating voice control; what bugs me is that I can't get simple functionality that should be expected from an Apple product-e.g. click to play-pause and the mic.

And it's obviously not the problem of the V-Moda Vibes, if the official iPhone headphones for the 1st gen don't work! However, I have heard that some recent versions of the V-Moda's work with it, even though they are still called the same thing (and Surely seems to confirm that). And somehow, some very old iPhone-compatible earphones do work. For example, I just bought the NE-7M earphones to replace my now-useless V-Moda Vibes. These new earphones work perfectly, even though they are made for the 1st generation iPhone.

But it all comes down to the fact that Apple screwed the older earphones up without even doing it well. You'd think that they'd at least make sure that plugging in "normal" headphones wouldn't mess with the software. Not only that, they're continuing to sell older iPhone earphones, such as the V-Moda's, on their website labeled as 3GS compatible despite reports that they still aren't!
 
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beaner454 said:
Yeah, we're not so much talking about all 2g/3g accessories-just headphones that used to pause and unpause music/answer the phone. I could begin to understand 3rd party headphones, but 1st party headphones not functioning seems a little strange. It's not like it's 5 years later or anything.
Click to expand...

LOL. There is no 1st party accessory maker, all accessories are 3rd party.
 
MaxRabbit said:
Apple is considered 3rd party???
Click to expand...

I see what he was saying.

If a design changes, even if you can't see the change, then the older item won't work.

The headphone controller on the original iPhone changed on each generation rendering the older one incompatible. Assuming something will carry over from one generation to the next is silly.

Think how pissed people would be if the 3G cases didn't fit the 3GS.
 
darngooddesign said:
I see what he was saying.

If a design changes, even if you can't see the change, then the older item won't work.

The headphone controller on the original iPhone changed on each generation rendering the older one incompatible. Assuming something will carry over from one generation to the next is silly.

Think how pissed people would be if the 3G cases didn't fit the 3GS.
Click to expand...

But there's no good reason for Apple to break the interface with the old accessories except to sell more accessories.

If the new 3GS were smaller than the old 3G, then I don't think people would be too upset that the 3G cases didn't fit the 3GS. The point there is that there is a fundamental change that is about more than just making people buy more stuff.

I really don't understand why people feel the need to defend Apple at all costs. Apple makes some nice hardware, great software and has unparalleled customer service. However, when it comes to things like backward compatibility, they leave a lot to be desired.
 
iPhone 3gs uses INDUSTRY STANDARD 4 connector headphone jack.

Older version might be 3 connector.
 
Betelgeuse said:
But there's no good reason for Apple to break the interface with the old accessories except to sell more accessories.

If the new 3GS were smaller than the old 3G, then I don't think people would be too upset that the 3G cases didn't fit the 3GS. The point there is that there is a fundamental change that is about more than just making people buy more stuff.

I really don't understand why people feel the need to defend Apple at all costs. Apple makes some nice hardware, great software and has unparalleled customer service. However, when it comes to things like backward compatibility, they leave a lot to be desired.
Click to expand...

I don't understand why people assume any change is evil. In your race to proclaim Apple as a naughty destroyer of headphones did you think that maybe the new system works better.

But back on point, you do realize that your headphones are two generations old, not one. And its not like they change the plug shape, your headphones still work.
 
darngooddesign said:
But back on point, you do realize that your headphones are two generations old, not one. And its not like they change the plug shape, your headphones still work.
Click to expand...
I bought a 3G on Craigslist the other day, and kept the earphones when I sold it. Those earphones are exactly the same: compatible with both the 2G and the 3G, but not the 3GS.
 
iPhone clicker problems

Howdy Howdy,

I had this problem with my 3G when I first bought it. God was I pissed! I traded out headphones, but still didn't work. Now I'm having the same problem with my 3GS.

It turned out, with the 3G, the headphone jack had a small piece of fluff/lint at the very bottom of it. Music and such would get through, but the clicker and mic didn't work.

Anyway, take a bright LED light and shine it in the headphone jack, then try to scoop lint out with a (tiny) paperclip. I'd recommend turning it off just so you don't damage any electrical parts. The fact that you had it happen with two phones means this may not be the solution, but maybe you have extra linty pockets or you're a sweaty guy? Sweat can creep lint into the headphone jack when it's open.

I know exactly what you mean about Apple breaking things. Even the dock from the 2G wouldn't fit with the 3G. Fixed that with a dremmel. It just doesn't feel like they respect customers long term. Anyway, ignore the "fan bois" and thanks for your military service. Good luck!
 
michaelfoust said:
Howdy Howdy,

I had this problem with my 3G when I first bought it. God was I pissed! I traded out headphones, but still didn't work. Now I'm having the same problem with my 3GS.

It turned out, with the 3G, the headphone jack had a small piece of fluff/lint at the very bottom of it. Music and such would get through, but the clicker and mic didn't work.

Anyway, take a bright LED light and shine it in the headphone jack, then try to scoop lint out with a (tiny) paperclip. I'd recommend turning it off just so you don't damage any electrical parts. The fact that you had it happen with two phones means this may not be the solution, but maybe you have extra linty pockets or you're a sweaty guy? Sweat can creep lint into the headphone jack when it's open.

I know exactly what you mean about Apple breaking things. Even the dock from the 2G wouldn't fit with the 3G. Fixed that with a dremmel. It just doesn't feel like they respect customers long term. Anyway, ignore the "fan bois" and thanks for your military service. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks for your input :)
 
I can see two points of view here. First, it's just silly to make older Apple headphones incompatible with the latest iteration of the iPhone.

On the other hand, every iPhone comes with a compatible pair of headphones so it really shouldn't be an issue in the first place.

It's no mystery why Apple does this though. Profits. If you lose/break your 3GS headphones they want you in the Apple store buying a new pair, not digging your old ones out of your closet.
 
Update on the Lint Culprit

****I just dug out some lint out of the 3GS. Maybe this is a manufacturing hiccup? 'Cause I remember the last time, when I went from 2G to 3G, it was a new 3G. I don't remember my clicker working since I got the 3GS either.


About the debate, if Apple claims to be committed to less environmental waste, then they'd care about things being backwards compatible.
 
MaxRabbit said:
I was very happy with their service! So I left and tried my V-Moda's clicker: nothing. Same with my 2G iPhone headphones. Apparently, the only headphones that work with the 3GS are the ones that come with it, and the ones made newly for it.
Click to expand...

that's very odd, because I've kept my older geenration 3G headphones, and they work fine on my 3GS.
 
Info on headphone compatibility....

I've only had an iPhone (3GS) for 6 weeks and I'm almost positive that when I first bought it and tried using a standard set of headphones (3 conductor) they did not work. Now however I am able to use them and get full stereo. Did the latest update change this or am I out to lunch and only thought they didn't work originally?
 
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