Serious, how many people actually listen to headphones and charge at the same time?

[mildocjr]

For starters -- Apple didn't include a pair of Bluetooth headphones in the box. They included a pair of Lightning headphones. And there's no way to charge an iPhone and listen to music at the same time, right out of the box, as is possible with the iPhone 6s and SE.

Second -- even Apple didn't remove the ability from the Retina MacBook to listen to music with wired headphones and charge the MB at the same time! And that was marketed as a one port device. You can't charge and attach an external drive at the same time, but you can listen to music while charging!

Third, Apple's solution to charge and listen at the same time is to use a dock, which start at $40 -- something that used to be included in the cost of the iPhone. Apple's 3.5mm adapter costs $9, and that includes an ADC, DAC, DSP and amp, as well as Lightning circuitry. The Belkin dongle only contains some Lightning circuitry, and can only be used for one thing -- providing power and audio at the same time, and nothing else: it can't even be used to share a single audio signal between two sets of headphones, something else also possible with the headphone jack. And Apple knows that this is something its customers need because they worked closely with Belkin to develop it in time for the iPhone 7 release.

So tell me when was the last time you used a floppy disk because I heard this same complaining when Apple dropped that too.

Also when was the last time you listened to music for more than 12 hours other than a road trip? And in what case would you consider listening to music when your phone is almost dead?

Here's an analogy for you:
Would you drive your car into the country with no gas stations for miles on an empty tank?

 

[Mac 128]

So tell me when was the last time you used a floppy disk because I heard this same complaining when Apple dropped that too.

Also when was the last time you listened to music for more than 12 hours other than a road trip? And in what case would you consider listening to music when your phone is almost dead?

Here's an analogy for you:
Would you drive your car into the country with no gas stations for miles on an empty tank?

Got it. You're not interested in having a reasonable debate. Take care.

 

[fiveainone]

I youtube in the morning before work. I use map/podcast during my hour+ commute in the morning, battery gets down to mid 80s by 9am. I listen to music/browse/reddit while working at the same time - screen is basically always on. I Youtube during lunch. Battery down to mid 40s after lunch. Continue music/browse/reddit in afternoon - start charging around 20%, while still listening to music, so by EOD, I can play my games with 80% charge. Anyone got a problem with me listening while charging?

 

[gnasher729]

Well you can always use this is you insist on charging and playing. Fine, buy the adapter

$40 wasted on Belkin crap.
[doublepost=1473721717][/doublepost]

It's your right to not buy an iPhone7.

Also, using headphones is kind of for teenagers who ride the bus type of vibe.

I only use them if I'm working out, so I'm in motion, aka not charging my phone.

Well, that is about the top of stupidity. Come to London. Go on the train or underground. Then check how many people are _not_ using earphones or headphones. Next go to an office. Wearing headphones while doing your job is the norm for many.
[doublepost=1473721838][/doublepost]

I youtube in the morning before work. I use map/podcast during my hour+ commute in the morning, battery gets down to mid 80s by 9am. I listen to music/browse/reddit while working at the same time - screen is basically always on. I Youtube during lunch. Battery down to mid 40s after lunch. Continue music/browse/reddit in afternoon - start charging around 20%, while still listening to music, so by EOD, I can play my games with 80% charge. Anyone got a problem with me listening while charging?

Lots of people have, apparently :-(
[doublepost=1473721985][/doublepost]

thank you! I was trying to find the right words to respond to the post cause my first thought was "pretentious"...you pretty much said what I was thinking. there is no reason to belittle others because each individual's has their own way of using technology...we shouldn't make people feel inferior because they choose to go about life with their tech different from others.

To be honest, when he called me a "teenager" I didn't find it belittling, I found it a hilarious act of stupidity.

 

[BigMcGuire]

All the time? When I listen to music it is because I'm sitting at my desk and working (mostly). And why should I run down the battery when I'm sitting next to a plugin? So, my 6+ spent most of its life plugged in during the day listening to music. Yep, office worker here.

My 6s+ is spared this life as I'm listening to most of my music on my Samsung Tab S2 now (tons of music on SD card offline via Google Music). But yeah, plugged in while listening to music. Though I use bluetooth headphones.

 

[gnasher729]

Belkin has that adapter. Use it together with the adapter that Apple supplies with the new phone and along with it and the problem is solved.

Belkin has this totally annoying attitude that just because you bought an Apple product you are keen to waste money. They are at the very, very end of my list of companies to buy from. Just in front of "Monster".
[doublepost=1473722270][/doublepost]

All the time? When I listen to music it is because I'm sitting at my desk and working (mostly). And why should I run down the battery when I'm sitting next to a plugin? So, my 6+ spent most of its life plugged in during the day listening to music. Yep, office worker here.

My 6s+ is spared this life as I'm listening to most of my music on my Samsung Tab S2 now (tons of music on SD card offline via Google Music). But yeah, plugged in while listening to music. Though I use bluetooth headphones.

Makes the battery last longer as well.

 

[wozmatic]

Your condescension is hilarious.

Thank you, I agree
[doublepost=1473740589][/doublepost]

Get real!

Would never buy that.

I guess don't buy an iPhone 7 then?
[doublepost=1473740798][/doublepost]

To be honest, when he called me a "teenager" I didn't find it belittling, I found it a hilarious act of stupidity.

To be honest, needing to charge and listen to headphones at the same time is a pretty desperate thing to do, a total first world problem, and on top of that complaining about it when you don't have to buy the new iPhone if it's that much of a problem.

"wahhhh but I wanna charge and listen to my headphones at the same time"
"then maybe don't buy the brand new phone that costs $700 that just came out last week"
"but... I want it"

hilarious act of stupidity indeed

 

[Smeaton1724]

Every day at work my iPhone is laid down charging and I listen via Bluetooth headphones. No gripes with the iPhone 7 on removal of the headphone port, I guess I'm one of the few that thought it should have been removed on the Macbook and another USB-C port or lightning port put on.

I'd also like to see the sdxc port removed from the Macbook Air/Pro line-up.

 

[meechy]

Never.

 

[daymouse]

I'd also like to see the sdxc port removed from the Macbook Air/Pro line-up.

Hell no! Great way of cheaply increasing the storage using an adapter and micro sd card!

 

[CEmajr]

All the time in my car. I use an AUX cable for music and don't have Bluetooth capabilities.

 

[Olivia23]

I can see the desire to charge and listen to something, granted, you'll be stuck in one spot as your power cable needs to be plugged into an outlet.

Perhaps office workers at a desk job would be the majority of people with this desire?

With that being said, who actually does this and in what situation?

I do in my car on the way to work and back. My stupid car don't have Bluetooth. Well actually it has something called uconnect bit I have to pay a subscription for it?

 

[azentropy]

All the time and never really had to think about it... Apple has taken something that just worked and made it into a real PITA. So now have to purchase 3 or 4 adapters (home office, home audio, older car with aux, work office) or have to carry one around with me everywhere I go.

 

[Smartass]

nobody talked about charging their phone while listening to it, because this was all normal until iphone 7 came out. Now we are starting to see how many people actually DO charge their phone while listening, and the numbers aint small...

 

[Newjackboy]

of course people do.
My common scenario's - if at my desk listening to music, I like to charge my iphone at the same time. (I always like having my phone fully charged)

Using battery intensive apps like Periscope

Sitting on a plain or train - again listening to music and charging my iphone - either via a USB plug point or one of my portable battery chargers.

I have seen this thousands of times. . certainly not a rare occurence

 

[Menel]

All the time. Docks at my desk at work and I'm free to move around the lab. And I wear a bluetooth headphones with mic.

Similar at home.

And while flying.

 

[Mac 128]

All the time and never really had to think about it... Apple has taken something that just worked and made it into a real PITA. So now have to purchase 3 or 4 adapters (home office, home audio, older car with aux, work office) or have to carry one around with me everywhere I go.

Why exactly does this adapter cost $40? Think about that, all it does is pass through a Lightning audio signal, and a Lightning charging port. At most there's a simple circuit board in there that routes the audio output depending on which port is sending power through. The 3.5mm adapter is $9 and includes a DAC, ADC and amp, and actually does something besides directing traffic. How does that make any sense?

nobody talked about charging their phone while listening to it, because this was all normal until iphone 7 came out. Now we are starting to see how many people actually DO charge their phone while listening, and the numbers aint small...

Apple knew exactly how important this was. Apple went out of their way to "work closely" with Belkin to ensure this adapter was ready in time for the launch. How exactly would Belkin have found out such an adapter was even necessary if Apple didn't approach them? The removal of the headphone jack was a rumor. Apple just didn't want to release a collection of adapters under their own name, which is an admission they made a mistake.

The shame is, they didn't need to. Their external battery case already has a pass through port doing essentially the same thing. All they needed to do was build it into the charging cable included in the box.

 

[OllyW]

Why exactly does this adapter cost $40? Think about that, all it does is pass through a Lightning audio signal, and a Lightning charging port. At most there's a simple circuit board in there that routes the audio output depending on which port is sending power through. The 3.5mm adapter is $9 and includes a DAC, ADC and amp, and actually does something besides directing traffic. How does that make any sense?

Apple doesn't have to pay MFi licensing fees as they own the licence. I'm not sure how the fee is calculated but the Belkin adaptor has 3 Lightning connections so that may contribute to the high price.

 

[Mac 128]

Apple doesn't have to pay MFi licensing fees as they own the licence. I'm not sure how the fee is calculated but the Belkin adaptor has 3 Lightning connections so that may contribute to the high price.

I've read it's something like $4. Even if that's $4 a port, that's $12. +$9 for the presumably more complex technology in the 3.5mm adapter (not to mention using third party chips) and we're only up to around $21 (including a healthy profit assuming Apple isn't selling that 3.5mm adapter at cost). So still not sure how that justifies a $19 premium.

 

[OllyW]

I've read it's something like $4. Even if that's $4 a port, that's $12. +$9 for the presumably more complex technology in the 3.5mm adapter (not to mention using third party chips) and we're only up to around $21 (including a healthy profit assuming Apple isn't selling that 3.5mm adapter at cost). So still not sure how that justifies a $19 premium.

That's not a high margin from manufacturing cost to selling cost, especially when compared with something like a USB to Lightning cable.

I think Apple are keeping profits to a minimum on their adaptor to keep the hounds at bay.

 

[Mac 128]

That's not a high margin from manufacturing cost to selling cost, especially when compared with something like a USB to Lightning cable.

I think Apple are keeping profits to a minimum on their adaptor to keep the hounds at bay.

We'll see how much money Apple is making on their adapter this weekend when they tear down these products and tell us what's inside. Then we can discuss this more intelligently.

Apple can't really sell anything too far below their usual margins and maintain brand value, otherwise people will expect it for other products. Also they create a situation where they are undercutting third party licensors, for whom there exists a pretty valuable market for them.

As it is, you're suggesting a 50% markup by Belkin for this adapter over cost. While it's possible, it doesn't make a lot of sense, especially since Apple "worked closely" with Belkin and is also trying to keep the hounds at bay. Apple could have given them a MFi license discount since it's clearly important for them to get this adapter to market ...

 

[OllyW]

As it is, you're suggesting a 50% markup by Belkin for this adapter over cost.

That's still a low markup from the manufacturing cost to retail price.

 

[Mac 128]

That's still a low markup from the manufacturing cost to retail price.

But it's still 100% too much over what it costs on the 6s, which is nothing.

 

[OllyW]

But it's still 100% too much over what it costs on the 6s, which is nothing.

I did say that proprietary connectors were going to be a big an inconvenience when the rumours first surfaced.

Most iPhone customers will just use what comes in the box, the rest of us will have to pay up or go elsewhere.

 

[AllergyDoc]

I think I've only done this, maybe once. Not at all a big deal for me.