Impacts of removing the headphone jack [MERGED]

[AustinIllini]

Those who says CD is gone, CD is still there and PS4, with bluray drive, are still on sale. There are many games released in CD disk form. Apple does not eliminate CD industry.

The primary driver of CD creation was music software distribution. Apple took part in killing both of them. They exist on a lesser scale to this day, but very few miss their CD player in their computer.

Those who says floppy disks, they are gone because one floppy disk can only store a very small amount of data and potentially bulky (needs a bunch of them). Replacing them with hard drive and Flash drive is of no doubt.

The rise of the flash drive was facilitated by the removal of the floppy disk port and the rise of USB.

Headphone jack may become minor and away from main stream but it will hardly disappear as there is nothing easier than headphone jack providing audio output without worrying anything. No setup, no connection process.

For now that is the case, but the creation of multiple models of phones without headphone jacks will cause improved bluetooth devices.

I am frustrating on cable management as well but wireless connection issue is also pretty annoying. Expensive wireless one does have better quality but they ARE expensive. My 20 AUD Sennheiser EarPods works great and sounds very good. It is wired and with headphone jack. So far I see no wireless earphone suites my listening taste. I will continue using devices with headphone jack until the day I have no choice at all.

Give it a calendar year. This is the beginning of the wireless movement, but it will come and soon. It's almost certain at this point that the iPhone 7 will cause manufacturers to move to bluetooth headphones.

 

[unobtainium]

Wow, the adapter is TINY. Like it's not even noticeable.

I just attached it to my favorite wired headphones and will be leaving it there permanently. Not an issue at all.

 

[QquegChristian]

Latency with Bluetooth is the biggest Achilles heel. You're looking at over 200ms to get from phone to ear. Wired takes about 50ms.

Coincidentally, Apple's touchscreens have about a 50ms response to touch.

With videos, good programming could delay the videos from playing by 200ms to make up for the wireless latency. However, you can never delay moments of user interaction. So, the sounds of typing on the keyboard are going to get to your ear 150ms late. More importantly, sounds in games or instrument apps.

Everyone has different tolerances to latency though. I know my surround drove me up the wall at 100ms off. My friend is a musician who couldn't play guitar hardwired with 40ms latency.

 

[Appleaker]

your subtle biased post isn't very subtle. Might as well come off saying what you really feel. Don't need the pretense, it is just plain insulting.

your negative impacts are barely making valid points. Your source for information is a youtube video? and a dip in sale? highly doubt it.

while you put together 2 nice paragraph for the CONs, yet you barely form two sentences for the PROs? How about fairly clarifying the PROs?
something like:
- the ability to have active sound cancellation. Something that needed an inline battery pack for earphone, and require bulky headphone cup for battery. Now it can be powered by the phone itself.
- The ability to add more functionality into the earphone/headphones: motion tracker, heart beat tracker, or touch sensor. the possibility is endless, now that we aren't relying on a dedicated battery anymore.
- Software on the phone can now control the listening experience. Think apps that can augment the surrounding audio
- Accessibility for the handicap is another positive impact.

"The advantages that come with lightning headphones" covered that.

For clarification, this post was written before the iPhone 7 announcement - These were all possible impacts. This was not a biased post, I think Apple did the right thing because it was the only way to push wireless headphones to the level where they'll be able to replace wireless. Having said that, I do still use 3.5mm and probably will for a while.
If you're insulted by me telling the truth regarding how I feel about the move, then I don't know what to say to you.

 

[1madman1]

It seems the adapter only passes basic audio functionality. I'm sitting down on the train and using music playback for the first time with the new phone and just noticed that the inline remote (and presumably microphone) with my Sennheiser 880i headset doesn't work anymore. I expect the spare Sony set I have at home wont be any different. Hopefully someone comes alone with decent lightning in ears soon.

 

[BobVB]

Why wireless is the future? Can it completely replace wire?

The BT 5.0 protocol early next year will allow error-correcting data streams over long distances to the headphones that can have better DAC, powered pre-amp and their own power supply. Many speculate that the 'secret sauce' mentioned regarding the W1 is early implementation of these new standards given that Apple is part of the BT consortium.

For those few people that need a wired port (musicians, creators) there is a port that can be hubbed to provide as much data passage any number of 3.5 jacks with the same advantage of better DAC, a powered hub that provides power to all devices including the phone, etc.

Apple is just a tiny bit ahead of the curve here and rightly predicts that the vast majority of its users will adapt to a ultimately better way of doing things.

 

[Mac 128]

It seems the adapter only passes basic audio functionality. I'm sitting down on the train and using music playback for the first time with the new phone and just noticed that the inline remote (and presumably microphone) with my Sennheiser 880i headset doesn't work anymore. I expect the spare Sony set I have at home wont be any different. Hopefully someone comes alone with decent lightning in ears soon.

The adapter works perfectly with Apple's 3.5mm EarPods controls and microphone
( https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...apter-arrives-tomorrow.1995521/#post-23438235 ). So it should work with yours. I take it you didn't care for the sound quality of Apple's included Lightning EarPods?

But it does seem Apple has modified their MFi specs to the detriment of their previous licensee's products.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...“bricked”-set-of-lightning-earphones.1992848/

Also, the adapter triggered the "not compatible" message until I upgraded my SE to iOS 10. I should not have gotten that message since Apple has published MFi Lightning audio specs. So they definitely changed something.

 

[waitandwait]

For starters:

Tell me how you're going to watch a movie, play a game, or listen to music, with someone on an iPhone and share the audio with your new Lightning EarPods or Bluetooth AirPods.

Tell me how you are going to use your brand new Lightning EarPods on your brand new Retina MacBook.

Tell me how you are going to charge your iPhone while you watch a movie, etc. on a plane, without spending $40 more than you will have to if you bought an iPhone 6s instead.

While you're at it, tell me how you will charge your AirPod case and your iPhone on a long trip at the same time.

You can use the adapter provided FREE...
Who watches a movie on iPhone on a plane when you can watch it on the entertainment screens???
If I was going on a LONG TRIP, I will bring along a power bank... long before the headphone jacks were removed.

Having no headphone jacks will not kill you. Will you die just because headphone jacks are not around in iPhones? If you are SO SO concerned, don't buy an iPhone. Not that Apple cares about it.

 

[1madman1]

The adapter works perfectly with Apple's 3.5mm EarPods controls and microphone
( https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...apter-arrives-tomorrow.1995521/#post-23438235 ). So it should work with yours. I take it you didn't care for the sound quality of Apple's included Lightning EarPods?

Just tried with my Sony set, they don't work either. These are both iPhone 4 era designed at newest, something may have changed in the command spec since then. My current Sennheisers have served me faithfully since 2011, it'll be sad to let them go.

Apple's EarPods offer zero isolation, they're not an option.

 

[Shamgar]

So you're saying you still have ethernet cables running to every internet enabled piece of hardware in your house. The jury is still out on this whole wifi thing.

Every piece that I can. Wifi is sacrifices performance and reliability for convenience. Sometimes it's worth that trade off and sometimes it's not. Wireless headphones make a similar trade off, but with more convenience problems.

 

[Kroxx]

Does anyone know if the supplier adapter will work as a line in for facebook streaming? Or do we still need a line in adapter (line level to mic level)?

 

[Mac 128]

Does anyone know if the supplier adapter will work as a line in for facebook streaming? Or do we still need a line in adapter (line level to mic level)?

It appears to support all the same functionality of the Apple 3.5mm EarPods (controls and mic). So as long as the mic works on the same pin configuration then it should work. Whatever you need for the iPhone currently, likely will still be necessary with the adapter.

 

[Fosty]

Negative impacts for Apple:

• A recent YouTube video showed how the lack of headphone jack could reduce music listening either due to having to use an adapter for certain situations or having to charge the headphones which discourages listening. That could decrease Apple Music usage.
• The existence of better alternatives with a headphone jack could encourage people to switch, decreasing sales of the iPhone 7. Although this could be counteracted by people opting for the SE/6S instead, no headphone jack and a similar design makes it likely to see a dip in sales compared to other iPhone releases.

Positive impacts for consumers:

• Better wireless and more lightning options will hit the market.
• The advantages that come with lightning headphones.

I like that the positives are hypothetical and the negatives are concrete. The iPhone 7 is just another example of Apple trying to make a buck under the guise of "innovation." The reality is that proprietary headphones are nonsensical and cumbersome for the enduser - thus the reason for a universal headphone jack. Further complicating things is the need for a new aux chord for users plugging their phones into their cars. I was looking forward to an upgrade but I guess it'll be another year or another brand.

 

[Appleaker]

I like that the positives are hypothetical and the negatives are concrete. The iPhone 7 is just another example of Apple trying to make a buck under the guise of "innovation." The reality is that proprietary headphones are nonsensical and cumbersome for the enduser - thus the reason for a universal headphone jack. Further complicating things is the need for a new aux chord for users plugging their phones into their cars. I was looking forward to an upgrade but I guess it'll be another year or another brand.

Actually the negatives are more hypothetical than then positive, but I guess it was all hypothetical at the time.

 

[Young Spade]

I like that the positives are hypothetical and the negatives are concrete. The iPhone 7 is just another example of Apple trying to make a buck under the guise of "innovation." The reality is that proprietary headphones are nonsensical and cumbersome for the enduser - thus the reason for a universal headphone jack. Further complicating things is the need for a new aux chord for users plugging their phones into their cars. I was looking forward to an upgrade but I guess it'll be another year or another brand.

What if this year, Apple is trying to familiarize everybody with the concept of wireless, so that next year, when they release the real upgrade, we will be accustomed to the loss of the headphone jack and can focus on the newer features?

I think people get caught up in how they feel and how they're affected without knowing how ignorant they are of what Apples plan is. You don't know what they're doing next year, or the year after that. Do you know what's being actively researched right now at Apple? Samsung? Public universities? Because they do, and they're working so all the dots line up and they can produce when the time is right.

But to simplify this as a personal attack or an effort to get cash... I dunno. It just doesn't seem that simple.

 

[Fosty]

I think people get caught up in how they feel and how they're affected without knowing how ignorant they are of what Apples plan is...

Why should I care what Apple's hypothetical plans are more than my own (real ones)? Seems pretty ignorant to prioritize a fantasy over reality.

I want to be able to use my headphones with both my macbook, iPhone, and on a plane without needing a second set or an adapter. I also want to be able to use my phone with my car without needing to buy a new overpriced piece of wire. And lastly, I want to listen to music from my phone while charging it without needing to buy more crap.

Apple's plan is to maximize their profits on selling less phones as their sales continue to slow - thus no headphone port. What their plans outside of that are - I do not care - nor will I waste my money wondering.

Actually the negatives are more hypothetical than then positive, but I guess it was all hypothetical at the time.

Not really. iPhone sales are declining. Are you really arguing the lack of a headphone jack is a selling point? Furthermore "the advantages that come with lightning headphones" seems nonexistent to hyperbolic. A simple upgrade in the quality of your headphones gives better sound quality and doesn't require a proprietary connector and can be used with ALL your devices (seems like a better use for $300bucks). This is purely perceived obsolescence pushed to sell more wires and peripherals. Hey I wonder if Apple owns a headphone company? What a great opportunity that could be...

As for downsides not listed, the Guardian has one in their latest review: "[the lightning connector is] a chunky connector with a relatively thick and stiff cable and it feels as if it could break when jutting into your leg while in a pocket." Oh yay! Just what we want - a cable that can snap every time you do a sit-up at the gym.

 

[AustinIllini]

Actually the negatives are more hypothetical than then positive, but I guess it was all hypothetical at the time.

Isn't every situation we're not currently in hypothetical?

 

[s54]

I like that the positives are hypothetical and the negatives are concrete. The iPhone 7 is just another example of Apple trying to make a buck under the guise of "innovation." The reality is that proprietary headphones are nonsensical and cumbersome for the enduser - thus the reason for a universal headphone jack. Further complicating things is the need for a new aux chord for users plugging their phones into their cars. I was looking forward to an upgrade but I guess it'll be another year or another brand.

You lost me.

What need for a new aux chord? Last I checked, every new iPhone comes with an adapter. So there's no need for a new aux cable in any car, assuming that's what you were using before.

 

[Neebee]

There's a REtweet by Geoffrey Morrison from Forbes saying when using the adapter, the adapter times out if no music is playing making it impossible to answer calls. Lovely! https://twitter.com/LaurenDragan/status/777594674324185088

 

[Appleaker]

Why should I care what Apple's hypothetical plans are more than my own (real ones)? Seems pretty ignorant to prioritize a fantasy over reality.

I want to be able to use my headphones with both my macbook, iPhone, and on a plane without needing a second set or an adapter. I also want to be able to use my phone with my car without needing to buy a new overpriced piece of wire. And lastly, I want to listen to music from my phone while charging it without needing to buy more crap.

Apple's plan is to maximize their profits on selling less phones as their sales continue to slow - thus no headphone port. What their plans outside of that are - I do not care - nor will I waste my money wondering.



Not really. iPhone sales are declining. Are you really arguing the lack of a headphone jack is a selling point? Furthermore "the advantages that come with lightning headphones" seems nonexistent to hyperbolic. A simple upgrade in the quality of your headphones gives better sound quality and doesn't require a proprietary connector and can be used with ALL your devices (seems like a better use for $300bucks). This is purely perceived obsolescence pushed to sell more wires and peripherals. Hey I wonder if Apple owns a headphone company? What a great opportunity that could be...

As for downsides not listed, the Guardian has one in their latest review: "[the lightning connector is] a chunky connector with a relatively thick and stiff cable and it feels as if it could break when jutting into your leg while in a pocket." Oh yay! Just what we want - a cable that can snap every time you do a sit-up at the gym.

I never said it was a selling point. Of course not, but the new colors may have made up for the lack of sales since they were the most demanded colors for iPhone. I think that if the 7 was released in the same silver, space gray, GOLD, and rose gold, we may have seen a hit to sales. Then again there are the 24 month iPhone 6 contracts.

 

[Mrbobb]

Honestly all these analysis doesn't really matters does it. History shown Apple will do what Apple will, they seldom go back and am sure they did all kind of projections before making this move. The only thing that can break Apple's willfulness is another vendor making another hardware people can go WOW, and not even giant Samsung has proven they are capable or willing. So we are where we are.

 

[CPx]

Just tried with my Sony set, they don't work either. These are both iPhone 4 era designed at newest, something may have changed in the command spec since then. My current Sennheisers have served me faithfully since 2011, it'll be sad to let them go.

Apple's EarPods offer zero isolation, they're not an option.

Have you tried plugging the headphones into the adapter first, and then plugging the adapter into the phone? Because I know the order is important for example when using a regular 3.5mm extension cord. The device needs to detect whether your headphones have the extra connection ring.

 

[Rigby]

There's a REtweet by Geoffrey Morrison from Forbes saying when using the adapter, the adapter times out if no music is playing making it impossible to answer calls. Lovely! https://twitter.com/LaurenDragan/status/777594674324185088

I'm not surprised. One little-known disadvantage of digital connections for headphones is that the phone has to power a pair of USB transceivers (one in the phone and one in the headphones/adapter) to be able to transmit data. This timeout is almost certainly intended to conserve battery life by shutting down the transceivers. However, if you do that, there is no way for the adapter to signal button presses from the headphone remote to the phone. This is not a problem on the analog jack, since in this case button presses simply short the microphone wire to ground, which can be easily detected by the phone without a constant supply of power.

 

[1madman1]

Have you tried plugging the headphones into the adapter first, and then plugging the adapter into the phone? Because I know the order is important for example when using a regular 3.5mm extension cord. The device needs to detect whether your headphones have the extra connection ring.

Yes, I think that's the only way I've done it. I found a new pair of the somewhat crummy Sennheiser MM30i (CX300 with microphone?) and they seem to work okay with the adapter. I'm not even sure where or when I got them. They'll do for now.

 

[iGeek2014]

In one way the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack impacts me as my car (from 2008) supports Bluetooth but not for audio.

That's why I ordered an iPod Touch so I can "download" tracks from Apple Music and store them on my device.

One thing I *won't* miss is the EarPods failing after a few months. I always looked after them but both my 6 Plus and 6s Plus seemed to damage them in time (usually around six months) to the point they were rendered useless.