Support NeoGAF

[NumberThree]

And you're here to tell us that wireless isn't the better solution for everything short of audiophile rigs?

Ok.

Or listening to anything for longer than X hours (in which X stands for the battery life of wireless headphones)

 

[Kurdel]

If they have a good wireless charging solution for the Phone, it could make recharging wireless earpods a breeze.

 

[Mr. Hyde]

I'm more of an audio geek than a phone geek and I don't really want a dongle I need to worry about, if it turns out to be the case. I will play the wait and see game but definitely jumping ship if it's true.

 

[jts]

Some people really aren’t up to date in how sound over bluetooth sounds like in the newest devices with the newest BT versions (4.0+).

 

[mcw]

Thank goodness. I'm glad Apple will kill the decades old, ancient tech of aux input. Good riddance. They'll drag the luddites kicking and screaming into the future, just like they have always done. Look at the past threads on GAF alone about optical drives and Flash. Hilarious.

I don't think I've ever seen a more concentrated portion of delusional nonsense.

 

[akileese]

If you needed proof that this is happening Monster is announcing their headphone line and it's predominantly bluetooth.

 

[Future]

I use my iPod shuffle for listening casually to music outdoors, but I still use my iPhone headphone socket for watching small videos without disturbing people while I travel on trains. I don't want to carry yet another damn cable just to do that.

It'd probably be designed so it just remains attached to your headphone cable, so no need to feel like you are carrying a something extra

Like one of these things

 

[EatinOlives]

And you still can!

I guess some of you cats are too young to remember PS/2 adapters. We had one broad here at work that kept her original MS ergonomic split keyboard from the day it was released until last year, all by using an adapter.

GASP!

Because if there's anything that says "sleek, minimalist and functional design", it's limp-dick dongles hanging from your 800$ phone.

 

[NumberThree]

It'd probably be designed so it just remains attached to your headphone cable, so no need to feel like you are carrying a something extra

Not when you use your headphones for more than one device.

 

[Futureman]

Dunno if I'll even get the iPhone 7.... my contract is up in June so I certainly could. I kinda wanna go back to Android though for my next phone.

I've always used the supplied Apple buds though, so if all they do is pack in lightning headphones I guess this isn't a big deal unless they break or something.

but remember when Apple used to WOW and DELIGHT? If they pack in bluetooth headphones with every iPhone that could be awesome.

 

[Shalashaska161]

I might be ok with them ditching the headphone jack if they also ditch lightning and put 2 USB-C ports on there. Knowing Apple though they will just ditch the headphone jack and try and sell $45 lightning adapters.

 

[poodpick]

Why would Apple launch a music streaming service and then gimp the sound quality on their phones by going with wireless headphones?

 

[jts]

Because if there's anything that says "sleek, minimalist and functional design", it's limp-dick dongles hanging from your 800$ phone.

But then again if you’re using wired cans you’re not really looking to be on the edge of sleekness are you.

 

[Future]

Dunno if I'll even get the iPhone 7.... my contract is up in June so I certainly could. I kinda wanna go back to Android though for my next phone.

I've always used the supplied Apple buds though, so if all they do is pack in lightning headphones I guess this isn't a big deal unless they break or something.

but remember when Apple used to WOW and DELIGHT? If they pack in bluetooth headphones with every iPhone that could be awesome.

Fellow Future guy, you are the target audience for a change like this. I bet a large percentage of people use the packed in buds. People that can afford better headphones can afford their docks with line outs and lightning adapters,

 

[Bsigg12]

Why would Apple launch a music streaming service and then gimp the sound quality on their phones by going with wireless headphones?

It'll end up with a proprietary lightning adapter if you want to use wired headphones.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Apple: Trust me guys, display port is the way of the future. In a few years no one will be using VGA or HDMI

This was in 2008

Replacing a port when the rest of the tech world isn't remotely ready to jump on it, and with no guarantee they will in the foreseeable future, is not a good idea. People think Apple always "gets it right", but that's simply not true.

 

[sangreal]

it's going to suck at first, but I think it's time for progress. Fortunately I already have a great pair of Bluetooth headphones I really like

What progress is this enabling? How is it even progress at all when most phones shipped w/o 3.5mm jacks in the past. Adding the port was progress

It'd probably be designed so it just remains attached to your headphone cable, so no need to feel like you are carrying a something extra

Like one of these things

but it likely wont be an elegant passive adapter. it will need to have a dac in it, and also some means for charging the phone

 

[EatinOlives]

But then again if you’re using wired cans you’re not really looking to be on the edge of sleekness are you.

The people using wired cans aren't the ones demanding sleekness above all functionality.

 

[mcw]

but remember when Apple used to WOW and DELIGHT?

I do! Man, those were the days.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

What nonsense. And OP is a tool.


I'm interested in how they would try to pull it off if it's true.

 

[onadesertedisland]

If you needed proof that this is happening Monster is announcing their headphone line and it's predominantly bluetooth.

Monster used to be a partner in the Beats enterprise. I doubt they've suddenly warmed up to the group that sort of screwed them.

 

[Wreav]

Or listening to anything for longer than X hours (in which X stands for the battery life of wireless headphones)

Pretty sure listening to headphones for 4 hours straight is murder on your health. Maybe take a break.

 

[Snore Crime]

Got a 5S currently.
I really don't love iPhones, the only thing keeping me is that I already have a bunch of stuff on iTunes (which I can transfer I suppose) and the ease of downloading podcasts from the app directly onto my phone.
So I don't want to lose that functionality but I have no love for the new ones, they're somewhat bigger than I'd like ("Mini" versions I'm sure are coming eventually) but I'd be basically as happy with Android. This seems really user unfriendly.

Really love that podcast thing though, even if the app is a piece of shit...

 

[Futureman]

Monster used to be a partner in the Beats enterprise. I doubt they've suddenly warmed up to the group that sort of screwed them.

Well the iPhone is probably the most popular portable music device in the world so if you make headphones it would make sense to alter your product line.

 

[Fantasy Final]

Next step is getting rid of the AC cable to have the devices charge wirelessly. Gotta get rid of this electricity standard because Apple said so.

 

[Super Wario]

Next step is getting rid of the AC cable to have the devices charge wirelessly. Gotta get rid of this electricity standard because Apple said so.

Who would not like wireless charging? I'm all for new tech that makes things better. Imagine never running out of power because its everywhere. Unlimited.

I'm in only if it means bigger battery.

Battery tech evolves.

 

[Akronis]

But then again if you’re using wired cans you’re not really looking to be on the edge of sleekness are you.

Go look up some actual decent headphones.

The Audeeze LCD-3s and LCD-4s look sleek as fuck and they're wired. Unless your definition of sleek is literally all form and no function between wireless headphones suck.

EDIT: if you're talking about the dongles, then I can see where you're coming from, nevermind. My bad.

 

[Stinkles]

I LOVE the preloading of defense force right into the main thread title. We should do this for everything.


"Daewoo Reveals Thoughtfully Understated Bargain Safety Features in New Car."

"Beyonce Shows She Doesn't Have to take Shit From Rude Little Peons"

"Kardashian Sister Gets Well Deserved Plaudits For Showing Off Indestructible New Body Parts"

 

[Kurdel]

Replacing a port when the rest of the tech world isn't remotely ready to jump on it, and with no guarantee they will in the foreseeable future, is not a good idea. People think Apple always "gets it right", but that's simply not true.

You're right, jury is still out on blutooth, maybe it will fail who knows.

 

[DoomGyver]

But my truck has an aux input.. guess I'm sticking with the 6s.

 

[Fergie]

And wired headphones = aux. Or so everyone thought.

This is just the first step in fixing this problem. Like I said, Bluetooth is awful. Things will get better.


First, you say $200 like it's a thing. Second, no, some people still use AOL.

No better alternative than headphone port currently. But if it has to be happen, they should really bundle in an adapter.

 

[TheXfactor]

this is dangerous for apple, people arent ready and are going to be negative, wouldnt surprise me if this is true and the iphone 7 sells a lot less than the last iphone. don't piss off loyal customers, its not worth it

 

[jts]

Apple: Trust me guys, display port is the way of the future. In a few years no one will be using VGA or HDMI

https://webobjects2.cdw.com/is/image/CDW/2841594a?$product-main$&v1

This was in 2008

Replacing a port when the rest of the tech world isn't remotely ready to jump on it, and with no guarantee they will in the foreseeable future, is not a good idea. People think Apple always "gets it right", but that's simply not true.

VGA actually got dropped and was quite a subpar standard, not too mention too thick of a port. It was a good decision even in hindsight bruv. Those few suffering with a dongle don’t negate the million others enjoying a thinner laptop.

Don’t remember seeing Apple dropping HDMI or saying something about it, if anything Apple introduced HDMI in a number of products, from the Mac mini to the MacBook Pro.

The people using wired cans aren't the ones demanding sleekness above all functionality.

That’s what I mean, then for those a less than sleek dongle is not a big deal, because they prime ultimate quality instead of looks. That’s what dongles usually do, they allow to remove functionality from the device because most people don’t need it, and give it to the niche that do, at the expense of simplicity for those. It’s the price they pay.

 

[akileese]

Well the iPhone is probably the most popular portable music device in the world so if you make headphones it would make sense to alter your product line.

Problem is Monster's wired headphones sound like shit already so I cannot imagine bluetooth ones sounding amazing, new better standard or not.

 

[Two Words]

I prefer wired headphones and options, fuck you.

 

[Akronis]

$200 headphones is pretty cheap. High end shit can cost all the way up to $4,000 just for the cans, then you need the amps and DACs to run them.

 

[EatinOlives]

That’s what I mean, then for those a less than sleek dongle is not a big deal, because they prime ultimate quality instead of looks. That’s what dongles usually do, they allow to remove functionality from the device because most people don’t need it, and give it to the niche that do, at the expense of simplicity for those. It’s the price they pay.

In no universe is a 3.5mm jack a "niche".

A dongle IS a big deal, because it's one more thing you need to buy, carry around, plug and unplug, etc. There's nothing ugly, outdated or clunky about a 3.5mm jack, and removing it is just a shit cash grab all around.

 

[blamite]

Hahaha good luck. Guess I'm staying on the 5s forever then.

 

[minor effort]

I've been getting increasingly curious about Android over the past year, and this could be a jumping off point for me.

In addition to AUX ports, after struggling to stay on top of storage with my 16GB iPhone, expandable storage via Micro SD is starting to look awfully nice.

 

[Oppo]

I LOVE the preloading of defense force right into the main thread title. We should do this for everything.


"Daewoo Reveals Thoughtfully Understated Bargain Safety Features in New Car."

"Beyonce Shows She Doesn't Have to take Shit From Rude Little Peons"

"Kardashian Sister Gets Well Deserved Plaudits For Showing Off Indestructible New Body Parts"

kind of surprised some mod hasn't used that title as a chew toy yet

 

[nib95]

Lol, what an awful decision. Yay to adapters adding even more bulk, yay to even more unnecessary costs, yay to splitting up product types even more. Because what we really need is even thinner phones….

 

[AtomicShroom]

Apple will sell the adapter for such a premium it's going to really hurt when you lose one.

Then just get a cheap one from Monoprice. Why would you buy an official one??

 

[Two Words]

$200 headphones is pretty cheap. High end shit can cost all the way up to $4,000 just for the cans, then you need the amps and DACs to run them.

Those are your standards. The majority have far different standards.

 

[Akronis]

Those are your standards. The majority have far different standards.

Oh they aren't my standards either, I don't have enough income to justify $4000 headphones.

It's just that good sound is usually pretty damn expensive.

 

[DataStream]

They'd be better suited keeping the thickness and increasing battery capacity.

The interesting part will be whether the phone has an internal DAC and the adapter is just aligning contacts for 1/8" or if the adapter will be bulkier and have the DAC. I'd assume its the former but wouldn't be surprised by the later as its another way for Apple to increase margins and get consumers to pay more $ for things they need.

Also, anyone who thinks this is "progress" or going to bring about some type of sea change confuses me greatly. This is about lock-in and putting another piece of tech on a replacement timeline. Quality headphones can last decades and their most often point of failure is the cable (which is cheap and easy to replace in most cases). Batteries and wireless chipsets fail at a much higher rate and will be much more expensive to replace.

 

[Palette Swap]

kind of surprised some mod hasn't used that title as a chew toy yet

When I first saw that title, I thought it was some kind of mod joke I was missing, rather than OP being completely delusional.
That Stockholm Syndrome.

 

[Two Words]

Oh they aren't my standards either, I don't have enough income to justify $4000 headphones.

It's just that good sound is usually pretty damn expensive.

Most people are perfectly content with buying $10-$30 AUX earbuds.

 

[onadesertedisland]

Then just get a cheap one from Monoprice. Why would you buy an official one??

Unless there is some lockout chip that prevents the adapter from being recognized.

 

[nib95]

Most people are perfectly content with buying $10-$30 AUX earbuds.

Those people you're speaking of won't exactly like the idea of buying the same or worse quality earphones or headphones for $30+ more simply because they're now bluetooth or wireless, that's not even getting in to the battery life aspect of cheaper bluetooth products. And the audiophiles who invest in high end gear (like me), won't be content with wireless products either.

It will be interesting to see if Apple includes a set of wireless earphones in with the phone, what sort of quality they are, and if they add a premium to the cost of the device.

 

[Somnid]

It's fine to want to drop the 3.5mm adaptor. It's old and doesn't have the flexibility needed by modern device which are small and durable to the point where the port itself is prohibitive to size, waterproofing etc. The problem is Apple is absolutely going to be self-serving, they don't want a better standard, they want an Apple controlled standard which is what lightning has always been, it offers no tangible benefit over USB but it costs more and is only usable with Apple products.

So the assumption here is they will use that for high-quality audio and integrate the DAC into the headphones which might have benefits to audio quality given the shorter travel distance for the analog signal (and maybe less noise? I'm not an electrical engineer but it seems possible). The problem is you now have headphones tied to a smartphone vendor (and they won't be cheap) which is unbelievably asinine but this is fantastic for Apple to keep you hardware locked in, and to reap those certification fees, no to mention pushing Beats as the early frontrunner.

There is bluetooth but bluetooth serves a different sort of purpose. It's convenient but not high quality and Apple can't change that without further proprietary bullshit (audio over wifi or something). This is also costly to produce since you need both a radio and a battery. So they aren't going to be packing these in, you're going to get lightning earpods.

Of course they aren't going to strand the market that pays for other headphones, 99% of which are 3.5mm but it's almost certainly going to be a costly DAC that plugs into the lightning port. Maybe they'll market it as "high quality" but like a tumor battery pack it's fixing a problem they created and costing consumers more money.

In the end USB audio could solve all of this, or at least getting some alternate vendor consensus but it won't because Apple won't and that's why this is probably bad.