Tech: Apple announces new headphone standard

jomarr

Quote:

The logic behind the decision, outlined by Apple's manager of platform accessories Robert Walsh, is to bring more functionality and performance to headphones. The Lightning Connector can be used to power as well as connect devices for example, so headphones could have controls, like volume or nose cancellation features, but wouldn't need their own batteries to power the features.

While the plan may upset a lot of loyal Apple customers who have already invested substantially in premium headphones with a standard headphone jack, and of course a host of premium headphone makers, there is little doubt that one brand -- Beats By Dr Dre -- will soon have a set of cans with a Lightening Connector cable in the works.

More here: http://news.yahoo.com/apple-announce...152845961.html

Well so much for the powerhouse phone for Audiophiles.

umich

Aurora

I don't understand.

My earphones have volume control and use the standard headphone jack and don't require batteries? I don't need anymore "special features" than that.

myself1981

Typical Apple

ChapelHooker

much revolutionary
many invention
very future

Aurora

Also this sounds as if simply using earphones / headphones would drain iPhone / iPod battery life... bad move Apple.

jomarr

Quote:

Originally posted by Sam Jay

I don't understand.

My earphones have volume control and use the standard headphone jack and don't require batteries? I don't need anymore "special features" than that.

As much as this would do better ergonomically, this doesn't make sense. They are alienating their customers.

With that said, I am in no reason at all to get an Apple product because of this. I'm fine with exclusivity but ditching the headphone jack is a step in the wrong direction.

holyground

Wtf

So if you have to plug your headphones into the lightning connector, then you can't charge your phone?

MIAMI

This is so "Apple", nothing new about it. They just want you to get that expensive phone and a pair of $50 beats..

Lose My Breath

I've been loyal to Apple all these years but I think I'm going to have to move to Android or Windows after this...

jomarr

Quote:

Originally posted by MIAMI

This is so "Apple", nothing new about it. They just want you to get that expensive phone and a pair of $50 beats..

A lot of ship-jumping will be coming. You can bookmark me on that. Wrong move.

Phoenetic

That is just ridiculous. The headphone jack is a standardized jack that everything uses, but Apple want to be different again. This is just as ridiculous as the fact that Apple phones still don't have an SD card slot.

They just want more money. Designing your own jack means they can sell more of their own headphones, or other brands will have to pay Apple to use their jack.
If they wanted to do what they claim they want to do (better control, noise cancellation, etc), they could have used the standardized mini or micro USB jack. That works perfectly fine.

Can't_M!ss_This

Call me when I can hear audio ported in my head via Bluetooth

jomarr

Quote:

Originally posted by Phoenetic

That is just ridiculous. The headphone jack is a standardized jack that everything uses, but Apple want to be different again. This is just as ridiculous as the fact that Apple phones still don't have an SD card slot.

They just want more money. Designing your own jack means they can sell more of their own headphones, or other brands will have to pay Apple to use their jack.
If they wanted to do what they claim they want to do (better control, noise cancellation, etc), they could have used the standardized mini or micro USB jack. That works perfectly fine.

This. But this time around this wont work.

A lot of audiophiles love the iPhone. With their sassy and premium gears and IEMs I doubt they'd sacrifice their material over a phone. Right now there are really good competitors when it comes to sound quality: The Lumia 1520, The Galaxy S5, The HTC One and the Lumia 930.

BlazingLovatic

What the ****?

So you can't listen to music and charge your phone at the same time, and you can only use Beats headphones, which you won't be able to use with anything else, apart from an Apple device

Pixel

I think I'll be fine with this since I only use Beats/ear pods anyways so whatever lol

gloamingtheplain

This will probably mean the audio will be digital

Here for that.

Can't_M!ss_This

Quote:

Originally posted by BlazingLovatic

What the ****?

So you can't listen to music and charge your phone at the same time, and you can only use Beats headphones, which you won't be able to use with anything else, apart from an Apple device

I'm thinking the headphones will have a pass through. But I can see that being a tangled mess

highwayuni

Quote:

Originally posted by Lose My Breath

I've been loyal to Apple all these years but I think I'm going to have to move to Android or Windows after this...

Me too

What a completely stupid move.

Reinvention

I mean the standard jack needed an update. It's been the same my entire life.