iPhone 7 - No headphone jack

[Dave Gray]

Apple is pushing wireless headphones or one that charges through lightning-wire.  People seem to be flipping out about this online.

But Apple has been doing this for a long, long time.  They anticipate technology on the way out and then exclude it for whatever reason (cost, size, battery, aesthetics, waterproofing, to push a new system, etc).  They started shipping laptops without a CD drive and people lost it.  Meanwhile, I can't think of the last time I put a CD into anything.

I am not an early adopter, traditionally, and get a new phone about every 3 years.  And I do admit that I am kinda attached to using a standard pair of headphones.  But I am not dug in that hard that I think there's no other way to do it.

[DaLittle B]

I'm confounded by the no-headphone jack outrage myself,though I never use them...

I can see how this could take  a bite out of the "swipe your credit cards,on the phone devices"

On a personal note...Mario,and Luigi both delivering me an Iphone7 wouldn't make buy one.  No Apple crap for me...

[fyo]

Belkin is already shipping a small dongle that plugs into the lightning connector and allows charging + headphone use.

I wonder what percentage of users EVER use the headphone jack on their phone. We're at 33% in my household. I suspect there's a pretty strong age bias (with the younger crowd using the headphone jack more). My WAG would be that the majority never, ever use it.

[Spider-Dan]

But Apple has been doing this for a long, long time.  They anticipate technology on the way out and then exclude it for whatever reason (cost, size, battery, aesthetics, waterproofing, to push a new system, etc).  They started shipping laptops without a CD drive and people lost it.  Meanwhile, I can't think of the last time I put a CD into anything.

Yes, Apple likes to push their own standards.  Bluetooth has existed for many years, so if you wanted wireless headphones, you would likely already have them... but for those who want wired headphones, looks like you get to buy Lightning-connector headphones that work exclusively with Apple products, or do without.  Yet another instance of market lock-in by Apple.

If Apple had a USB 3.1 connector on the iPhone, I would view this more charitably (similarly to Apple putting one solitary USB 3.1 port on the new MacBooks).  But as is, I think it's a naked attempt at trying to get a market advantage by locking your customers in to Apple-only accessories.

[Pappy13]

How am I gonna play my tunes from my phone over my car's speakers?  Guess I'm getting the dongle, but then I can't charge my phone at the same time. Apple just assumes every car has Bluetooth? Actually I won't be getting the iPhone 7 anytime soon, I'll probably upgrade my car to one with Bluetooth before I get the iPhone 7.

[Cathal]

I don't have an iPhone but I work in an office and in order to listen to music, you need head phones/earbuds. This was a dumbass move by Apple but their fans will switch to those weird looking bluetooth earbuds they come out with.

[Spider-Dan]

Apparently, Apple includes a dongle with the iPhone 7 that allows you to plug in standard headphones.  Of course, you wouldn't be able to charge the phone while doing so, as the phone only has one lightning port.  To charge and listen to headphones at the same time, you'll need this $40 adapter that is made for Apple by Belkin, and will be sold in all Apple stores.

[fyo]

Apparently, Apple includes a dongle with the iPhone 7 that allows you to plug in standard headphones.  Of course, you wouldn't be able to charge the phone while doing so, as the phone only has one lightning port.  To charge and listen to headphones at the same time, you'll need this $40 adapter that is made for Apple by Belkin, and will be sold in all Apple stores.

People who use the headphone jack AT ALL...

Of those, how many use the jack while the phone is charging? I'm going to guess not a lot. The 33% of my household dropped to zero and a quick query 'round the office produced the same result.

Much ado about nothing.

[Spider-Dan]

It's entirely possible that you're right, but when I think of "the benefits of new technology," a list of the features I already have now but can probably do without is not the first thing that springs to mind.

I'm sure the screen is still huge, though.

[Pappy13]

People who use the headphone jack AT ALL...

Of those, how many use the jack while the phone is charging? I'm going to guess not a lot. The 33% of my household dropped to zero and a quick query 'round the office produced the same result.

Much ado about nothing.

I would be all the time in my car, but again I'll probably upgrade my car to Bluetooth before I upgrade to an i7.

[Tenshot13]

Pass the aux cord fam

[mecadonzilla]

I plug my phone into the aux port in my car while charging every day.  Now they want to add easy to lose, expensive to replace, and short battery life headphones.  Plus, they want me to buy an another piece to use my comfortable headphones.  I'm glad I don't have to replace my phone any time soon.  My wife wants to switch to a non-iPhone anyway, so it looks like that's going to happen. I'm

[Phishfan]

I use the jack but like has been pointed out, the technology is the oldest and most space consuming. I expect all manufacturers will move away from it on all devices

[fyo]

I plug my phone into the aux port in my car while charging every day.  Now they want to add easy to lose, expensive to replace, and short battery life headphones.  Plus, they want me to buy an another piece to use my comfortable headphones.  I'm glad I don't have to replace my phone any time soon.  My wife wants to switch to a non-iPhone anyway, so it looks like that's going to happen. I'm

If this is your standard setup, why not just leave the adapter with your two cables plugged in? I assume both live in the car (I know mine do) and if they don't, maybe they should?

[CF DolFan]

I don't see this as a huge issue. If you want the phone you have to upgrade and if you don't want it then you can keep what you have. Recent history has shown that technology changes rapidly and in no time everyone will have bluetooth or wifi headphones/earphones and no one will think twice about.