“Apple has, historically, been quite brave about killing off things like DVD drives, floppy disk drives and when it launched the Macbook Air, people like me thought they’d gone mad,” Ian Morris writes for Forbes. “All of the products Apple has taken this sort of risk with have gone on and done well. Apple is stronger now than it ever has been. The iMac had no floppy drive, and went on to big things. The Macbook removed the CD drive and went on to big things and the Air has become a pretty successful line too.”
“Apple did, after all spend a lot of money on Beats. So they have a headphone brand, and that’s a selling point in the box,” Morris writes. “If Apple wants, it could pack a pair of headphones in with the iPhone that would blow away any of the competition right up to the $200 sweet spot. And the dirty secret in headphones is that even the super-expensive ones are made for cents and marked up to insane levels.”
“It’s not going to be hard for Tim Cook to come on stage later in the year and tell everyone that he’s killing the headphone jack, but not to worry because in the box you’ll get a free pair of Beats earphones worth over $200,” Morris writes. “They’ll be comfortable, have a selection of tips included for good ear fit and they’ll also be able to use built-in microphone to cancel sound better than anyone ever has before.”
“None of this will really harm Apple’s bottom line. Adaptors and headphones aren’t a huge cost and the margin on the iPhone is, as we know, pretty generous,” Morris writes. “And if I can see a way for Apple to turn this into advantages, I’m pretty sure Apple’s far-brighter engineers have even more good ideas in their bag of tricks.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: 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 have “have a selection of tips included for good ear fit,” too and are easy to charge, easy to pair, light and comfortable, and work perfectly with our Apple Watches and iPhones.
SEE ALSO:
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