“There are plenty of rumors that Apple plans to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack connector for the iPhone 7 — and now we’ve got our first (possible) photo of the company’s next-gen EarPods, complete with Lightning connector,” Luke Dormehl reports for Cult of Mac.
“The picture first appeared on Chinese social network Weibo over the weekend,” Dormehl reports. “Of course, while the Weibo picture looks legit enough, it could easily be faked.”
Dormehl reports, “Still, it seems like more and more ‘evidence’ is adding up to the conclusion that fans of the headphone jack may be in for a rude awakening this September.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Fans of the headphone jack?
Adios! Let’s move into the future, shall we?
Also, as we’ve explained before, don’t discount the ability for Lightning headphones to do more than just reproduce sound:
For one example, see Apple’s U.S. Patent No. 8,655,004: “Sports monitoring system for headphones, earbuds and/or headsets.”
Apple’s patent abstract: A monitoring system that can be placed proximate to the head or ear of a user is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the monitoring system can be used with headphones, earbuds or headsets. The monitoring system can, for example, be used to monitor user activity, such as during exercise or sporting activities. The positioning of the monitoring system can also facilitate sensing of other user characteristics (e.g., biometric data), such as temperature, perspiration and heart rate. The monitoring system can also be used to control a an electronic device. In one embodiment, the monitoring system facilitates user control of the electronic device using head gestures. More info here.
From your ear to your wrist in the blink of an eye™.
Also, if you’d prefer no wires at all, you can do as we’ve been doing for awhile now and just go Bluetooth. We’ve been using wireless Jaybirds for some time now (currently the Jaybird X2 Sport Wireless Bluetooth Headphones). They’re easy to charge, easy to pair, light and comfortable, and work perfectly with our Apple Watches and iPhones.
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s ‘iPhone 7’ said to retain 6s dimensions, dump 3.5mm jack for thinner Lightning port, lack waterproofing – March 1, 2016
Analysts: ‘iPhone 7’ likely to dump 3.5mm headphone jack for second speaker – February 16, 2016
iOS 9 code reveals Apple’s plans to dump 3.5mm headphone jack in future iPhones – January 20, 2016
Apple’s intention to kill the 3.5mm headphone jack is brilliant – January 13, 2016
iPhone 7 said to be waterproof, replace 3.5mm headphone jack with Apple’s Lightning – January 8, 2016
The fastest Lightning cable is also one of the least expensive – January 8, 2016
Apple will drop headphone jack to make the iPhone 7 super slim, source confirms; wireless charging and waterproof, too – January 7, 2016
Petition demands Apple keep 3.5mm headphone jack in the ‘iPhone 7’ – January 7, 2016
More reports claim Apple has dumped the 3.5mm headphone jack on iPhone 7 – January 5, 2016
Why Apple may axe the 3.5mm headphone jack – June 20, 2014
Apple may be poised to kill off the 3.5mm headphone jack – June 7, 2014
Apple may ditch analog 3.5mm headphone jack for Lightning to make thinner devices – June 6, 2014
Apple introduces MFi specs for Lightning cable headphones, iOS software update to deliver support – June 5, 2014
Apple preps HD audio for iOS 8 plus new Apple In-Ear Headphones and lightning cable – May 13, 2014
Apple patents biometric sensor-packed health monitoring earphones with ‘head gesture’ control – February 18, 2014
Apple paves way for more affordable iOS accessories with lower MFi and Lightning licensing fees – February 7, 2014
Head gestures… Hmm, nod to send “yes” in messages… Now that would be neat, and games could use that to control sound and stereo stuff, like moving the sounds according to the degree at which the head is turned. That’s already possible, and those things require digital input sources as well.
“Hmm, best not send this vitriolic message to my boss just yet”
*sneezes violently 3x*
*whooosh* message sent
Crap
Yes, what could possibly go wrong?
I like that idea.
Jaybirds don’t work for the hearing impaired, like to see more on that!
I do wish they would have switched the iPhone to USB-C and made USB-C EarPods.
That way they would have also worked on the new MacBooks.
It’s not that much of a deal for me since I have headphones with a detachable cable so I can just buy a lightning to 3.5mm cable
Been using Bluetooth earbuds for years now but I would like to know how I ‘m Goin to plug in my credit card reader.
It’s fairly obvious… they’re going to have to make a new version that uses lightning or one that is wireless…
Square actually has a EMV/NFC reader that’s wireless
Actually, only the NFC part of that reader is wireless. If you have to swipe (magstripe or chip), a card, you still need the headphone jack.
I am happy to see Apple get rid of the phone jack – however – cords suck – better Apple provide or offer bluetooth ear buds.
Also, since Beats now is part of Apple – shouldn’t we be seeing Beats design headphones that are available as bluetooth. And also Beats does offer corded head phones – I believe they too should sport the new Lighting Jack.
Mixed feelings about this. I want to see what the solution is for charging AND listening at the same time. I do that quite often, as I know many other people do.
MDN you are idiotic to the extreme. The 3.5mm jack is an analogue audio port, more valuable tol most of us who do actual work on our devices than you do. Who gives a fuck about a different port for a headphone that no one uses?
Anybody could have photoshopped that lighting connector onto the end of those earbuds. Just sayin.