Is removing the headphone jack really going to be a thing moving forward?

[Mopetar]

LOL! Sorry, just had to laugh at that point. You guys and your dongles! On a phone! LOL!

I assume you're imagining some massive dongle with an antenna poking out of it, like the old WiFi cards you could plug into a laptop back in the days when PCMCIA cards were a thing. Here's what they actually look like today though: https://www.amazon.com/Edimax-EW-7811Un-150Mbps-Raspberry-Supports/dp/B003MTTJOY

Oh no, you'd have a plug in a tiny nub if you needed WiFi. Also it was your hypothetical example. I just ran with it even though it's not comparable to this situation.

It's not that, it just parroting the silly excuses for it put forward by these large companies that is a bit being a corporate suck-up.

Accusing anyone who doesn't agree with you of being a corporate suck-up doesn't really help your point. It'd be a bit like claiming anyone who wants a headphone jack is just some kind of anti-Apple Android fanboy who only hates it because they hate Apple and if Android did it they'd be criticizing Apple for keeping backwards technology. Just useless name-calling and mudslinging.

Well good for you, but no one else buys a device based on what YOU need. Despite Apple's bullshit, the vast majority of the public did NOT indicate that they no longer use wired headphones.

And no one else buys a device based on what YOU need. Also for what it's worth, Apple's sales haven't seemed to suffer for a lack of audio jack, and I doubt the flagship Android devices will either. Most of public, unlike you, doesn't really care. So eventually manufacturers remove the extra port that's of more limited use, for the more general purpose one and people who need specific functionality can get an adapter.

We already saw this play out when many dropped SD-card slots, removable batteries, etc. that other people care about. Samsung dropped a lot of features that many people argued passionately for and their sales didn't seem to suffer for it. Were it not for the battery problems with the S7, it would have likely been their best selling one yet even though plenty of people on these forums have claimed they'd never buy a phone without a removable battery. There's just not enough people who actually care to matter.

Funny aside, but it seems that there's an overlap between people who absolutely need to have removable batteries, but will passionately complain about having to carry an extra adapter with their phone for headphones.

Many, many, many more people than ever touched a floppy drive use the same headphones with a phone- a tablet, their stereo, their roku remote, MP3 players, car stereos, every type of audio equipment imaginable.

And when the old audio jack disappears, eventually many, many more people will have used its replacement than who have ever touched an old analog audio plug. What's your point? At one time more people were riding horses than using cars, but you'd be foolish to complain about the lack of hitching posts outside your post office today. Times change, old things get replaced. Some people pine for them, the world moves on.

There's no USB-C-to-lightning-to-stupid dongle setup that's better/cheaper/easier/more power efficient/ less hassle that will replace all of this in the near future.

Actually, that's what USB-C is though. A replacement to all of that, and it's gaining traction. Apple can do their own proprietary thing as much as they want, but USB-C is going to replace a lot of existing ports and cables, headphones included.

Want to charge? USB-C plug.
Need to hook up your phone to display or projector? USB-C plug.
Want to listen to music through headphones? USB-C plug.
Playing a game and want to use a controller instead of the junky screen controls? USB-C plug.
Need to connect to a computer for a large file transfer? USB-C plug.
Russian agent trying to hack the U.S. elections? USB-C plug.

Eventually you don't need adapters because everything can be run through the same USB-C port on the device and with phones (well everyone but Apple, but they're using it on their computers) and computers all using USB-C, you know that all devices will have one. The only thing need adapters will be legacy devices (or iDevices) and it's not too difficult to make those.

 

[Fingolfin269]

The cost of bravery:

http://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods

 

[Yakk]

The cost of bravery:

http://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods

Well... If they were really useful and sounded fantastic you wouldn't have to be brave in the first place to use them would you...

That sound isolation though...

 

[Commodus]

The cost of bravery:

http://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods

I've seen more positive takes on AirPods... it honestly depends on your expectations, and how deep you are into the Apple ecosystem. You're really buying them for the truly wireless design and the seamless pairing with Apple gear. Otherwise, you're probably better off getting BeatsX or PowerBeats 3 (if you're bent on getting something Apple-made) or something like Jaybird's Freedom.

 

[Oyeve]

I've seen more positive takes on AirPods... it honestly depends on your expectations, and how deep you are into the Apple ecosystem. You're really buying them for the truly wireless design and the seamless pairing with Apple gear. Otherwise, you're probably better off getting BeatsX or PowerBeats 3 (if you're bent on getting something Apple-made) or something like Jaybird's Freedom.

People buy them because its apple. Lets be honest, they sound and look like ass. The ONLY reason they even sell is because its APPLE.

 

[Commodus]

People buy them because its apple. Lets be honest, they sound and look like ass. The ONLY reason they even sell is because its APPLE.

Actually, I can see some reasons to get AirPods. For one, going completely wireless is still pretty rare... if not AirPods, you're looking at Samsung's IconX (their battery life makes AirPods look great) or a niche company like Bragi. And I have to admit, that battery case is pretty slick -- the same pack you use to protect your earbuds will also charge them, and for much longer than the built-in battery can provide. It's for the person who's only a casual music listener but doesn't want to go wired.

Honestly, if the AirPods had the design and quality of Apple's higher-end in-ear buds (with dual drivers and silicone tips), I'd probably have a pair.

 

[disappoint]

Apple has always been obsessed with looks. They like the look of wireless. It's futuristic. That is what this is all about. They couldn't care less about bandwidth or even audio quality as long as it works and the quality is adequate for most people.

 

[WelshBloke]

Apple has always been obsessed with looks.

So why do the airpods look so dorky?

 

[Oyeve]

So why do the airpods look so dorky?

Because they are.

 

[Mopetar]

So why do the airpods look so dorky?

The kind of remind me of the mobile phone wireless headsets that are typically used by rude idiots who talk loudly on them in public. I understand that they need to be large enough to hold a battery, but I think designing them more like a hearing aid would work better, especially if it allows for better noise cancellation.

 

[desura]

So why do the airpods look so dorky?

Because Johnny Ive loves them.

Notice how lots of people have ripped off the MacBook Air, but literally no one has ripped off the AirPod design?

 

[Commodus]

Because Johnny Ive loves them.

Notice how lots of people have ripped off the MacBook Air, but literally no one has ripped off the AirPod design?

...yet.

Remember, it took a while for the obvious MacBook Air clones to show up. I don't think there was a rush to ape the AirPods because it wasn't clear how they would do. If Samsung mysteriously shows up with new wireless earbuds that have a 'familiar' vertical shape, you'll know why.

To be fair, Samsung and some others didn't rip the Apple Watch design despite it leading smartwatch sales, but I'd say a lot of that is because it'd too obviously invite a lawsuit. Also, a circular smartwatch design is a good way to stand out when the leader's models are rectangular.

 

[desura]

...yet.

Remember, it took a while for the obvious MacBook Air clones to show up. I don't think there was a rush to ape the AirPods because it wasn't clear how they would do. If Samsung mysteriously shows up with new wireless earbuds that have a 'familiar' vertical shape, you'll know why.

To be fair, Samsung and some others didn't rip the Apple Watch design despite it leading smartwatch sales, but I'd say a lot of that is because it'd too obviously invite a lawsuit. Also, a circular smartwatch design is a good way to stand out when the leader's models are rectangular.

I've used EarPods. They stunk. The isolation was bad. The sound quality was mediocre. There is no good reason for them other than not wanting to deal with warranty issues for those silicon tips which people will lose.

Not many people were crazy about the Apple Watch either. I definitely thought the Moto X was more in the Steve Jobs spirit than the Apple Watch.

 

[Commodus]

I've used EarPods. They stunk. The isolation was bad. The sound quality was mediocre. There is no good reason for them other than not wanting to deal with warranty issues for those silicon tips which people will lose.

Not many people were crazy about the Apple Watch either. I definitely thought the Moto X was more in the Steve Jobs spirit than the Apple Watch.

Yeah, I'll absolutely agree that the AirPods aren't for audiophiles, but they're popular. Even now there's a 6-week backlog if you order them directly from Apple (this is partly due to supply, but still).

And the Apple Watch... well, Apple overhyped it (it wasn't that revolutionary, as you said), but it seems to be quietly proving that the company nailed a few core ideas. Smartwatches benefit from dedicated scrolling controls and good voice commands; a good, accessible fitness app goes a long way; don't emulate traditional watch design unless there's a practical advantage; offer a wide range of easily swapped bands and styles; and importantly, acknowledge that you're designing for a wider audience than thick-wristed men.

Apple may be leading simply because its competitors seem hell-bent on cloning conventional watches while remaining tone deaf to half their potential audience (namely, women). Its rivals are less interested in making the best watch and more interested in making a familiar watch.

 

[desura]

Yeah, I'll absolutely agree that the AirPods aren't for audiophiles, but they're popular. Even now there's a 6-week backlog if you order them directly from Apple (this is partly due to supply, but still).

And the Apple Watch... well, Apple overhyped it (it wasn't that revolutionary, as you said), but it seems to be quietly proving that the company nailed a few core ideas. Smartwatches benefit from dedicated scrolling controls and good voice commands; a good, accessible fitness app goes a long way; don't emulate traditional watch design unless there's a practical advantage; offer a wide range of easily swapped bands and styles; and importantly, acknowledge that you're designing for a wider audience than thick-wristed men.

Apple may be leading simply because its competitors seem hell-bent on cloning conventional watches while remaining tone deaf to half their potential audience (namely, women). Its rivals are less interested in making the best watch and more interested in making a familiar watch.

Yeah, big flaw in the Android market is the utter lack of small phones. It is pretty bad that compact Android phones are still bigger than iPhones. And the watches are too big. I do think the round face is a worthwhile addition and I wish the Apple watch had a round screen. Definitely a male bias seen in the large size of all of these portable devices.

Now that I think about it, the whole wireless headphones thing are just like..the bluetooth headsets which proliferated a few years ago. That was mainly a male thing too. Women it seems don't zone out to music as much, aren't audiophile like men either. Like, when was the last time you met a woman who talked about how she loved listening to this album start to finish? Or about her home theater setup? Or her $150 headphones?

But anyways, the airpods aren't especially compelling. I don't know why they couldn't have included silicone or foam tips for better isolation and sound quality.

 

[Commodus]

Yeah, big flaw in the Android market is the utter lack of small phones. It is pretty bad that compact Android phones are still bigger than iPhones. And the watches are too big. I do think the round face is a worthwhile addition and I wish the Apple watch had a round screen. Definitely a male bias seen in the large size of all of these portable devices.

Now that I think about it, the whole wireless headphones thing are just like..the bluetooth headsets which proliferated a few years ago. That was mainly a male thing too. Women it seems don't zone out to music as much, aren't audiophile like men either. Like, when was the last time you met a woman who talked about how she loved listening to this album start to finish? Or about her home theater setup? Or her $150 headphones?

But anyways, the airpods aren't especially compelling. I don't know why they couldn't have included silicone or foam tips for better isolation and sound quality.

I've definitely run into women audiophiles, but it's true that you see fewer of the obsessive types who drop thousands of dollars on their gear. $150? I think that's more gender-neutral... and Apple is probably counting on the familiarity of the AirPods as a selling point to people who would normally be put off by Bluetooth headphones. No, it's not a giant set of cans or athletic in-ears, it's the buds you already know in wireless form (and much smarter).

My guess on why there are no tips: that's what BeatsX is for. It's what you wear if you need a better sound and fit than the AirPods can provide. BeatsX is actually $10 cheaper, so that's your answer if you're willing to give up some cleverness in the name of audio quality (relatively speaking) and comfort.

 

[Ichinisan]

The kind of remind me of the mobile phone wireless headsets that are typically used by rude idiots who talk loudly on them in public. I understand that they need to be large enough to hold a battery, but I think designing them more like a hearing aid would work better, especially if it allows for better noise cancellation.

Big obvious headset is better. People still assume you're talking to them...

 

[Oyeve]

...yet.

Remember, it took a while for the obvious MacBook Air clones to show up. I don't think there was a rush to ape the AirPods because it wasn't clear how they would do. If Samsung mysteriously shows up with new wireless earbuds that have a 'familiar' vertical shape, you'll know why.

To be fair, Samsung and some others didn't rip the Apple Watch design despite it leading smartwatch sales, but I'd say a lot of that is because it'd too obviously invite a lawsuit. Also, a circular smartwatch design is a good way to stand out when the leader's models are rectangular.

Plus Sammy had wireless buds prior to Apple. I don't know if they are good or not but imo it looks like a better design.

 

[WelshBloke]

Plus Sammy had wireless buds prior to Apple. I don't know if they are good or not but imo it looks like a better design.

The icon x definitely looks less dorky, battery life is a bit poo though!

 

[jhansman]

I use BT buds at the gym, but I'm pretty sure I look more dorky than cool. No matter, I still prefer cordless. That said, I don't want to see the headphone jack go away just because companies think doing so somehow makes them look forward and cutting edge. And yeah, if Apple made their gizmo look like giant hoop earrings, the cool aid drinkers would still buy and wear them. Speaking of, anyone seeing Google Glass these days? Me either.

 

[desura]

I've been using a pair of BT headphones lately.

Yeah, it is nicer, actually. especially not getting the stupid cord caught on handles. Also, with headphones I have become used to slouching with headphones on, when it is better to not.

What Apple should have done is packaged in each iPhone 7 a bluetooth adapter for any headphone. One that bit-streams or whatever that is so you get pristine quality of sound.

 

[Zaap]

I assume you're imagining some massive dongle with an antenna poking out of it, like the old WiFi cards you could plug into a laptop back in the days when PCMCIA cards were a thing. Here's what they actually look like today though: https://www.amazon.com/Edimax-EW-7811Un-150Mbps-Raspberry-Supports/dp/B003MTTJOY

Oh no, you'd have a plug in a tiny nub if you needed WiFi. Also it was your hypothetical example. I just ran with it even though it's not comparable to this situation.

LOL! Just saw this.
All I can say is, you seem enamored by things that are actually OLD to others. Did you check the date on that thing? It was first released 7 years ago! That's a full sized USB dongle! They are for desktops and laptops.

YES, I'm sorry to inform you in 2017 that would be absolutely ridiculous hanging off a modern smartphone, replacing something we already have. Yes it was my example- it was an example of something ridiculous.

That you ran with the example as if accepting something **completely ridiculous** is something a consumer should accept at the whim of some giant company...

... well, it's not boding well for your case. I'll just leave it at that.

 

[Mopetar]

That you ran with the example as if accepting something **completely ridiculous** is something a consumer should accept at the whim of some giant company...

It was your example and I even pointed out that it was a poor one due to the reasons I'd listed previously as you just claimed that they'd eliminate WiFi outright, which maybe makes sense if the carriers made the phones, but they don't. However, I pointed out that even in a world where it made actual sense that WiFi were removed, it wouldn't be an actual problem. Even assuming WiFi somehow got obsoleted (so it makes sense to remove instead of just removing something for no valid reason), it's not a difficult problem to surmount assuming you need backwards compatibility for whatever reason. Adding a tiny little nub via a devices USB port is hardly a burden. Hell, with some cases you probably wouldn't even notice it was there. Hell, you could just build it into the case for what its worth.

You keep trying to turn this whole thing into a giant issue when it isn't. Why would it be ridiculous to drop WiFi if something better came along and sell an attachment for people who still needed it for backwards compatibility reasons? Same thing here. Audio jack isn't necessary when USB-C becomes standard and you can easily get an adapter if you've got an old pair of high-quality headphones you want to keep. Hell, someone could probably build the old 8mm audio jack into a case as well. A quick Google search has shown that some companies have already done just that.

Still not sure why you care when there are plenty of easy solutions if you absolutely need backwards compatibility. Just because you claim something is completely ridiculous doesn't make it so. Within two years I expect most Android phones to have ditched the 8mm audio jack in favor of a single USB-C port. I imagine you'll get over it eventually.