Threat to remove headphone jack from future iPhone models

[RadDave]

Yep, I was thrilled w/ the appearance of the first flash drives - quote from Wiki below - the year 2000 - purchased my first one online shortly after that time - as I recall, probably 32 MB and likely paid about $60 (cannot remember) - BUT, the equivalent of over 20 1.44 MB floppies at the time! Dave

It's absolutely mind-blowing the advancements in storage technology over the years. Currently micro-SD cards (the size of a small fingernail) are available that can store 256gig of data. And I'm sure there are 512gig micro-SD cards on the way. As well as other micro/nano sized high-capacity storage devices in development.

Yep, my second computer was a MS DOS-PC w/ our first HD (replaced an Apple II+ probably about 1984) - had the astounding capacity of 20 MB - LOL now! Dave

 

[Rod]

I agree chas, Bluetooth 4x. is great. On the flash storage subject, someone asked me a while back, "I wonder why they call these things Thumb Drives"?
He was holding a 32Gb SanDisk USB drive more like the size of his thumb nail.

 

[vansmith]

Well, as Apple iDevices become thinner, there will not be sufficient space for the 3.5 mm mini-stereo jack...

This is the interesting bit - why does the next iPhone need to be so thin that ports have to be cut? Is that really necessary? Granted, this is assuming that the removal is only for this reason.

 

[chas_m]

That is probably NOT why the headphone jack is on the chopping block. It seems much more likely to me that the actual reason is much more to do with not doing DAC. Digital headphones can do a lot of things analog ones cannot do, starting with higher-quality audio.

 

[RadDave]

This is the interesting bit - why does the next iPhone need to be so thin that ports have to be cut? Is that really necessary? Granted, this is assuming that the removal is only for this reason.

Well, not sure how thin Apple wants to go, but a consideration? The other issue is the depth and the volume of space occupied by this connector, i.e. more area to put a larger battery and/or other components, I guess? Dave

 

[Slydude]

Removing that jack might result in a thinner iPhone. That's the reason that may grab headlines for most users. It occurs to me though that the other/better reason is that it is one less thing to build in electronically. If you are building a lightning connection for charging and bluetooth for connectivity to all sorts of things, there's not much need for that 3.5 mm jack except for the fact that users already have gear that uses it.

 

[vansmith]

there's not much need for that 3.5 mm jack except for the fact that users already have gear that uses it.

Except for when the port breaks. The problem with having everything go through one port is not only wear and tear (which I imagine is probably rather negligible though) but, should the port die, you can't use any external peripherals that are hard-wired. It would also prevent doing something like charging and using headphones at the same time.

 

[Slydude]

I personally like having the 3.5 mm jack present. At the moment I have at least 3 headsets that work with that jack. Only one works via Bluetooth. Only one of my headsets is Bluetooth capable. I suspect the decision to remove the jack or not will be driven in part by how badly they want to keep the entire music signal digital.

As Bluetooth impress I'm gradually shifting to that due to convenience. I'm constantly getting tangled in the wires and that's getting old.

 

[TBCapen]

I listen to audible books on my iPhone and light earbuds almost every day, walking the dogs, working on home projects, and/or at the gym. My only complaint about removing the jack is that I'll have one more thing to remember to keep charged -- and I assume that the wireless headphones will be a bit heavier, due to the rechargeable batteries.

 

[pigoo3]

My only complaint about removing the jack is that I'll have one more thing to remember to keep charged --

Yes…it's getting kind of crazy keeping track of the number of things we need to remember to keep charged on an almost daily basis!

- Nick

 

[RadDave]

I listen to audible books on my iPhone and light earbuds almost every day, walking the dogs, working on home projects, and/or at the gym. My only complaint about removing the jack is that I'll have one more thing to remember to keep charged -- and I assume that the wireless headphones will be a bit heavier, due to the rechargeable batteries.

Well, I've use the BT Rockfish headphones below on an old iPod Touch and iPad 2 (2011), and now on my newer iPad Air 2 - about $60 and quite comfortable; BT earbuds are obviously available; switching to BT options requires not only the power, thus periodic charging but also the issue of pairing (an easy procedure); BUT, once you've been 'un-teathered' from your device, the feeling is one of freedom (and w/ less risk of dropping your device, like on a treadmill in a fitness center). SO, buy some inexpensive BT earbuds and let us know your experience. Dave
.

 

[Rod]

TBCapen, I know what you mean about the batteries, it's getting ridiculous the number of devices that require an independent power source and I am running out of power points for the chargers required for all the rest.

 

[pigoo3]

TBCapen, I know what you mean about the batteries, it's getting ridiculous the number of devices that require an independent power source and I am running out of power points for the chargers required for all the rest.

Rod. Here's something I purchased recently. It's awesome & works great. Lots of similar products out there as well.

- Nick

 

[Occams Razor]

What threat? I am quite sure there will be an adaptor made for legacy headphones or earbuds. If Apple doesn't make one, someone else will. Either you're moving forward or falling behind.

 

[pigoo3]

What threat? I am quite sure there will be an adaptor made for legacy headphones or earbuds.

What if there's no port for the adapter? I think this is the concern.

- Nick

 

[chas_m]

What if there's no port for the adapter? I think this is the concern.

Nope, it's not. The adapter would either offer a female 3.5mm port with a male Lightning connector, or it would be small dongle that attached to the headphones to add Bluetooth to them.

 

[pigoo3]

Nope, it's not. The adapter would either offer a female 3.5mm port with a male Lightning connector…

This is assuming the charging port (lightning port) could be used as an audio out port.

...or it would be small dongle that attached to the headphones to add Bluetooth to them.

Yes…thought of this after posting. Thanks for mentioning.

- Nick

 

[Occams Razor]

What if there's no port for the adapter? I think this is the concern.

- Nick

I understood the you could plug new style headsets into fire port - but maybe not. Somewhere in this forum someone mentioned sound would go from analog to digital - that is major sonic improvement.

I still think, however, that someone will produce some middleware for the legacy headsets if there is demand.

-30-

 

[ALF Shumway]

What threat? I am quite sure there will be an adaptor made for legacy headphones or earbuds. If Apple doesn't make one, someone else will. Either you're moving forward or falling behind.

I'm sure Apple will make something to let people use 3.5mm headphones. Look at all the dongles they make right now: FireWire and Ethernet adapters for the Thunderbolt ports an the MBA and rMBP, USB dongles for the 12-inch MacBook and the iOS devices, just to name a few. The rumors are that they'll be doing Lightning headphones, so I think they'll do a dongle like Chas said: male Lightning and female 3.5mm headphone, hopefully with a female Lightning connector too for charging.

 

[pixeltaker]

Yes you are!!!

I'm still bitter when Apple got rid of Apple-Talk!!!

- Nick

I'm still bitter than my Mac Book Pro doesn't have a CD/DVD drive, but I'll get over it by buying an external CD/DVD drive or rely on thumb drives. LOL;D