Apple's Courageous Headphone Jack Removal Explained.

Diji1 on 10/09/2016 - 10:45
Last edited 10/09/2016 - 10:46

Apple recently held a media event together where they only allowed journalists that write nice things about Apple to come inside.

At this event they explained that the decision to remove the headphone jack was a very "courageous" act and apparently on par with a soldier throwing himself onto a grenade to save his fellow men or Bruce Jenner deciding have gender reassignment surgery which people also describe as "courageous".

The journalists that were chosen to relay Apple's "courageous" actions were chosen for their abilities to paraphrase press releases with no analysis at all because a real journalist would have spent 5 minutes and then explained that:

Apple owns Beats Audio.

Beats Audio is the largest Bluetooth headphone manuufacturer in the world with 25% market share.

Beats takes 54% of the profits paid for BT headphones whilst having just 17% of the market in the USA.

So there you go: now you know just how "courageous" Apple is: they want to sell Bluetooth headphones. I think they deserve a medal of some kind don't you?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/09/07/reg_effort_to_attend…

https://mobile.slashdot.org/story/16/09/09/2054207/apple-rem…

Mobile

Comments

  • noramando on 12/09/2016 - 10:32
    -2

    And Apple said to Harlee (Joker's girlfriend),"We are bad guys and that's what we do. Besides it is just good business".

  • SirFlibbled on 12/09/2016 - 10:33

    LOL at the 'courage'.

    Although I remember when Apple introduced the USB plug many moons ago to replace the mouse and keyboard plugs. I couldn't believe they'd done it. Now it's a standard.

  • CyberMurning on 12/09/2016 - 10:40
    +1

    ok the thread title is "Headphone Jack Removal Explained"

    now i share with you all:
    Apple Headphone Jack Removal Solution
    https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/09/iphone-7-…

    • Sick of This on 12/09/2016 - 10:47

      So futuristic drool

      (On a serious note though, any risk of shock with the arrangement in that first photo?)

      • CyberMurning on 12/09/2016 - 10:56

        not sure, we need to wait for someone to give a un-boxing, review and hands-on (or ears-on?) video on this futuristic product.

  • congo on 12/09/2016 - 11:11
    +1

    What's the big deal. Nothing better (no other worthwhile improvements) to talk about ?

  • StewBalls on 12/09/2016 - 11:36

    Take home message: Not all heroes have 3.5mm jacks! ;)

  • carlJack on 12/09/2016 - 13:09
    -1

    So if you are using apple watch you cant use airpods??

  • glengood on 12/09/2016 - 13:24
    +1

    Stunning and Brave

  • sergun on 12/09/2016 - 13:53
    +5

    From the engineering point of view, there is another problem with the new approach - correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems strange it wasn't picked up yet.
    The 3.5mm jack has 3 contacts only, time-tested, and resistant to be used 'on-the-move' due to large pins locked with a 'spring' action - these can withstand substantial cord/jack movements, and are tolerant to some soiling/wear-out. A digital contact with several pins was not designed to be used 'on-the-move', but as a stationery, 'laying-on-a-desk' solution for charging or data transfer. Would it be accurate to predict that we're yet to encounter some kind of 'contageddon' phenomenon, when the music is simply interrupted due to the loss of data transfer while the device is used while walking or running? BT, on the other hand, radiates electromagnetic field right next to the brain and many people will be reluctant to use it, so what's the real benefit of ditching the jack? Seems like a gimmick similar to a fingerprint scanner or siri. IMHO, the jack will return in iPhone 8.

    • cannedhams on 12/09/2016 - 15:54

      Good point. Actually I have noticed that lightning cable plugs tend to break up after a bit of use and I have to sometimes reverse them and reinsert to get phones/ipads to charge.

      Lightning connectors feel reasonably substantive though, so perhaps they can take the strain.

  • T1OOO on 12/09/2016 - 14:16

    come with an adaptor theres no big deal except if you wona chard and listen to music, in which case you either use the wireless headphones or some sort of extra adaptor or dock…

  • rygle on 12/09/2016 - 15:17
    +2

    They've got to pay the EU that $20 Billion somehow…

  • raytriplej on 12/09/2016 - 16:03

    I use the Lifeproof case on my iPhone 6s plus.

    Of course the first thing I lost was the supplied headphone adapter
    needed to use headphones with the case.

    I have gone without plugging in headphones ever since. I use a Logitech Bluetooth
    audio adapter at my work desk and the phone speakers at home where necessary.

    Even with the iPhone 7 being water resistant I would still need a lifeproof
    case as my 3yr old son handles the phone (I need tomato sauce and throw protection).

    There are no new features that will have me rushing out for the new iphone 7.

  • lightstorm on 12/09/2016 - 16:13

    I think it's great , you still want a jack there is alternative iPhones available , iPhone 7 is the next step up , I use Bluetooth in the car and Bluetooth headphones and AirPlay music at home. I really don't get the back lash but it's pot waiting to be stirred.

    I don't see a problem I think it's the right way to go and some design benefits as well including stereo speakers which is a plus .

    My 2 cents anyway

    Edit: I won't be buying an iPhone 7 like all the early birds as I have an iPhone 6plus and its doing just fine.

    Another edit - I haven't used my aux jack last 8 months as well. Probably why it doesn't worry me that much

  • Lancerx on 12/09/2016 - 17:46
    +2

    You called it courageous, I call it stupid & greedy ..

    • Donatello on 12/09/2016 - 21:32
      +1

      A more appropriate word would be arrogance.

  • tryagain on 12/09/2016 - 19:41
    +5

    I think a lot of you are missing a valuable point, I am quite happy that Apple has done this as now headphone manufacturers will all now more proactively make Bluetooth headphones to take advantage of the people who are happy to pay too much for things, this will ultimately drive competition and lower prices for the rest of us. So cheers to Apple for forcing your customers to pay the premium of being early adopters so the rest of us can benefit. I think it actually is courageous to throw your customers under the bus like that.

  • mick123 on 12/09/2016 - 20:54
    +2

    APPLE reckons this announcement is all PEACHy but it is rotten to the core, I reckon its all going to go PEAR shaped when people find out its all about the BEET headphones and they'll look like right royal PLUMS. Mark this DATE, they've made a LEMON. Now watch every MAN GO and switch to android. I'm glad I did, ORANGE you?

  • supnigs super skids on 12/09/2016 - 21:16

    Well soon there will be battery charging cases with built in headphone jacks selling from China. I guess that would patch up the problem seeing I always used a battery case anyway lol

  • shaiguy on 12/09/2016 - 23:03

    I think what has been missed is that the Bluetooth 5 specifications is due to be finalised at the end of this year. Apparently Bluetooth will "In a typical, realistic setting, Bluetooth 5 will offer a range of up to 120 meters, which is four times that of Bluetooth 4.2, and be two times faster, with data transfer rates of 2Mbps, said Chuck Sabin, director for business strategy at the Bluetooth-Special Interest Group, which sets the standards for Bluetooth."

    This 'should' be a game change for Bluetooth audio with regards to lossless audio. I would not be surprised if Apple had been banking that the Bluetooth 5 specification would be finalised earlier and in time for this iPhone.

    • McFly on 13/09/2016 - 00:28

      I would. BT 5 is way too new to be included in a device that's out now. If we're lucky we'll see it in devices by the end of the year.

    • jlogic on 13/09/2016 - 06:46

      Software upgradable? If not tongue in cheek here… Revolutionary audio quality in the next iPhone :P

  • c64 on 13/09/2016 - 07:11
    +1

    apple have got to recoup the $20billion back tax in ireland somehow ..

  • FatBlanket on 13/09/2016 - 09:00
    +1

    I remember the big fuss when apple didn't include a floppy drive on their machines, and again when they didn't include a CD ROM drive. Give it a year or two and no phone manufacturer (apart from the desperate like lg) will have a headphone jack. Whether it's right or wrong, apple leads and others follow. And often looking back it was a good change.

    • c64 on 13/09/2016 - 09:55

      people around the world are still using gsm phones …

    • jffk47 on 15/09/2016 - 02:35
      +1

      kinda like firewire yeah?

  • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2016 - 10:35

    didnt like apple since iphone 4s. Why charge $1000+ for a big screen

  • dontpayretail on 13/09/2016 - 10:36

    I can only assume all these negative comments come from people who haven't experienced wireless ear/headphones. I think it's genius, and having gone to wireless I find it incredibly archaic dealing with the tangle of wired ear/headphones.

    I guess the same the same resistance was probably met when we shifted from wired internet and wired keyboards and mouses…dinosaurs

    • cameldownunder on 13/09/2016 - 11:27
      +3

      Till you run out of battery. In a long haul flight, and no means to charge them. Then … you'll miss those archaic Jack headphones.

      • dontpayretail on 13/09/2016 - 13:19
        +1

        That's when I pack and use my Bose QC25's ;)

    • fruit on 13/09/2016 - 18:11

      wired internet

      Can you pull at 1gbps over WiFi? (Actual speeds? Not theoretical best possible.)

      wired keyboards and mouses

      lol, just lol.

  • cheap0 on 13/09/2016 - 11:15
    +2

    It's about the money of course. If they were serious about removing the headphone jack, they would use a standard connector like USB-C and not a proprietary connector like lightning. Now we will have USB-C headphones (once Samsung inevitably copies), 3.5mm headphones and Lightning headphones. The point of the 3.5mm jack is not that the technology is antiquated, which it is, but that it is a STANDARD. Apple likes to have a closed system so they can control everything, and this just furthers this agenda. I bet next they will come up with their own version of Bluetooth which works on Apple only so then you have to buy Apple wireless headphones.

    • TrailerTrash on 13/09/2016 - 11:28

      Well said. Yes, let's see what other proprietary accessories they come up with. It's the charging of all these items that gets me.. but I don't want to carry around the AirPods 'charging case' either.. Hopefully BT5 has better battery life? (and better quality audio too?)

  • cameldownunder on 13/09/2016 - 11:25
    +2

    What happened to the 2.5mm Jack, the smaller brother of the 3.5mm. The phone would look ok with that hole.
    My thought in regards are:
    Iphone 8 will have all connectors removed, and be 100% waterproof, by not having any opening.
    There will be some kind of wireless connection to the cradle, wireless charging and wireless headphones.
    Also no volume rocker or on/off button. Like the G4, double tap will wake the phone up.

    • fruit on 13/09/2016 - 18:10
      +1

      Do you really think Apple did this for any other reason than to keep a tight grip on its users?

      • JajaMinx on 14/09/2016 - 03:32
        +1

        Hence, why I left the Apple camp.

        I refuse to be Apple's cash cow.

        • cameldownunder on 14/09/2016 - 11:57

          Both. Apple HAS to be "Innovative" and lead the design. It's probably more marketing and advertising.

    • imcold on 14/09/2016 - 15:27

      Android phones can already have a magnetic detachable microusb cable that can be permanently installed into the micro usb slot. So the first phone with no connectors will probably be an android phone.

  • ycon on 13/09/2016 - 16:32
    +7

    So an iPhone 7 was arrested wearing earbuds yesterday.

    He told police, "you can't charge me because I'm listening to my headphones ".

  • peterpaoliello on 13/09/2016 - 16:35

    With all the new Point of Sale system which use 3.5mm (such as https://squareup.com/au/) I wouldn't be surprised if they're trying to block out competition on mobile payment

    • fruit on 13/09/2016 - 18:09

      Chip and PIN model use Bluetooth. Same with PayPal.

  • fruit on 13/09/2016 - 18:08
    +1

    COURAGE

  • ju2au on 14/09/2016 - 01:58
    +1

    Having COURAGE to make lots of money selling wireless headphones and accessories is not that hard.

  • Kranbone on 14/09/2016 - 02:06
    +2

    A nurse who cares for patients despite being underpaid and having poor working conditions… that's courageous. There's a difference between being courageous and being different.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2016 - 03:39
    +1

    This was inevitable:
    http://www.cnet.com/news/spigen-airpod-strap-is-a-10-leash-f…

    • Sick of This on 14/09/2016 - 10:32

      Next minute, Apple announces they've invented the wired headphones.

  • MrMcHairyHead on 14/09/2016 - 12:53

    But they included both wired headphones AND a standard headphone adapter in the box. You aren't being forced to buy anything.

  • scratchback on 14/09/2016 - 15:19

    Apple maybe a hypocrite but Bluetooth/wireless is the future for headphone. Or I can say for any electric blue/wireless is the future. You are against the trend but only attacks apple, you are a hypocrite too. also if apple was wrong, they would bring it back.
    Also beats is not the best Bluetooth in the market and I am using jaybird.
    anyway apple provides the connectivity cable for existing headphone, not perfect but still working.

    • lostn on 15/09/2016 - 00:41

      If they were truly courageous and wanting people to upgrade to the 'superior' technology, they should not have included that adapter.

      If they're going to include the adapter so that people can continue using their ancient 3.5mm audio equipment, may as well leave the 3.5mm port on the phone?

      • McFly on 15/09/2016 - 10:04

        I agree. But if they hadn't given an adapter the backlash - even from the fanbois - would have been huge… OK maybe not huge, but still sizeable.

      • scratchback on 15/09/2016 - 19:30

        If Apple did not compromise with the adapter, u may say Apple never care existing customers. U can always find an excuse, too naive, too simple

  • imcold on 14/09/2016 - 15:30
    +1

    It will be apocalypse when the iphone 7S gets released. Imagine hundreds of apple enthusiast lining up outside the apple store. And all trying to use their wireless bluetooth headphones working at the same time.

    • JajaMinx on 14/09/2016 - 18:44

      Apple enthusiasts = zombies.

      Constant exposure to microwave radiation from Bluetooth will slowly fry their brain.

  • lostn on 15/09/2016 - 00:40

    The garbage quality earphones they normally give out with iDevices is being made into a wireless version and being sold for $169 USD.

    Now that's real courage.

    • McFly on 15/09/2016 - 10:02

      I disagree. Selling inferior devices for two or three times the price of the competition was the real courage - in the beginning. After all this time it's not courage any more, it's known as greed.

  • spazattack91 on 15/09/2016 - 22:46

    Moving to a closed, proprietary and expensive cable isn't courageous it's anti-consumer. The thing is people are going to buy those ear buds. I remember when I was a kid I thought the ipod headphones were the greatest, how wrong I was!

    Some people will just eat up whatever tired ideas Apple markets as revolutionary though and I've had most of those features on android going on a few years now! Hopefully they'll hav trouble selling the phone and make changes that benefit the consumer. Ie when Samsung put micro SD cards back into the S7. Give us what we want!

  • utopia on 16/09/2016 - 15:45

    It is courageous - look at all the comments slagging them off for removing something developed in 1950s

    • Sick of This on 16/09/2016 - 15:48

      Fear of comments would not make them brave. Fear of losing money would make them brave.

    • McFly on 16/09/2016 - 16:08

      You could say writing such a ridiculous post is courageous.

  • horice on 27/09/2016 - 17:13

    Theres no people like apple sheeple

    https://au.news.yahoo.com/technology/a/32736699/iphone-7-own…

    iPhone 7 owners fuming after prank video tricks them into drilling a hole in their phone

    • McFly on 28/09/2016 - 14:29

      I don't believe that anyone would actually do it, even Apple fanbois.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join