Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Here's What a Headphone Jack to Lightning Adapter Looks Like
With Apple planning to remove the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, new iPhone owners are going to be stuck with a whole lot of headphones that don't work with their devices. There is a simple, though awkward, solution -- a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter.
Lightning adapters aren't common at this point in time, but as you can see in the video below, we tracked down an adapter from Japanese company Deff to give you an idea of what it'll be like using standard 3.5mm headphones with a device that doesn't have a headphone jack.
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Our adapter cost upwards of $70, but we expect to see a greater number of adapters on the market following the launch of the iPhone 7, which will drive prices down quite a bit. It's also likely Apple will develop its own Lightning to 3.5mm jack adapter and we can expect to see that sold for around $20-$30 based on the pricing of other types of adapters.
Apple's choice to remove the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 hasn't been a popular one. The Verge's Nilay Patel has called the move "user-hostile and stupid," while Steve Streza, in support of Patel, said the decision is good for Apple but bad for the consumer.
Others, like John Gruber, aren't bothered by the iPhone 7's lack of a headphone jack. In a rebuttal to Patel's post, Gruber compared the headphone jack to the floppy drive, an argument supported by MG Siegler, who pointed out the fact that there's similar outrage every time Apple retires a feature.
Based on rumors, Apple is planning on selling the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus with EarPods that feature a Lightning connector, so everyone will have a way to listen to music on the devices right when they come out of the box. Apple is also said to be developing premium wireless earphones that could be similar in design to the Bragi Dash.
Lightning adapters aren't common at this point in time, but as you can see in the video below, we tracked down an adapter from Japanese company Deff to give you an idea of what it'll be like using standard 3.5mm headphones with a device that doesn't have a headphone jack.
Our adapter cost upwards of $70, but we expect to see a greater number of adapters on the market following the launch of the iPhone 7, which will drive prices down quite a bit. It's also likely Apple will develop its own Lightning to 3.5mm jack adapter and we can expect to see that sold for around $20-$30 based on the pricing of other types of adapters.
Apple's choice to remove the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 hasn't been a popular one. The Verge's Nilay Patel has called the move "user-hostile and stupid," while Steve Streza, in support of Patel, said the decision is good for Apple but bad for the consumer.
Others, like John Gruber, aren't bothered by the iPhone 7's lack of a headphone jack. In a rebuttal to Patel's post, Gruber compared the headphone jack to the floppy drive, an argument supported by MG Siegler, who pointed out the fact that there's similar outrage every time Apple retires a feature.
But here's the thing about that notion: it's said every single time Apple does something like this. The removal of the floppy drive on the Mac. The lack of a physical keyboard on the iPhone. The removal of the optical drive on MacBooks. The end of the mouse.The removal of USB ports. Etc. Etc. Etc.Going forward, Apple's decision to drop the headphone jack will likely reshape the headphone market. Companies have already started investing in Lightning-connected headphones like the ones we covered in a recent video, and wireless solutions are also on the rise.
The outrage is as palpable as it is comical. Then everyone calms down. The news cycle moves on. People buy the new Apple device anyway. Life continues. All competitors copy Apple's once-controversial move. And technology ends up in a better place as a result.
Based on rumors, Apple is planning on selling the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus with EarPods that feature a Lightning connector, so everyone will have a way to listen to music on the devices right when they come out of the box. Apple is also said to be developing premium wireless earphones that could be similar in design to the Bragi Dash.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
[ 563 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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39 months ago
There is a significant difference between floppy/dvd drives and 3.5 mm headphones. Usage of floppy/DVD drives was already declining when Apple removed them, yet everyone still uses 3.5 mm headphones (and multiple usb ports). Sacrificing user experience for thinness seems to be the only thing Apple does these days.
39 months ago
John Gruber not bothered. Wow, that's a shocker. Is there a bigger Apple shill out there?
39 months ago
While I'm not against removing the headphone, Apple should have moved the iPhone to USB-C (as those headphones would eventually be usable between different devices (new Macs or non-Apple devices). Lighting headphone are DOA except for those extremely loyal to Apple.
39 months ago
Let's get a couple of things straight.
1... Apple will remove headphone jacks and taunt it as a "feature".
2... Apple fanboys will cheer during the show
3... Apple will sell the adaptor for A LOT of money.
4... You will be an idiot to buy it.
1... Apple will remove headphone jacks and taunt it as a "feature".
2... Apple fanboys will cheer during the show
3... Apple will sell the adaptor for A LOT of money.
4... You will be an idiot to buy it.
39 months ago
John Gruber not bothered. Wow, that's a shocker. Is there a bigger Apple shill out there?
I'm also not bothered. Looking forward to it, in fact.
39 months ago
Problem solved?! For what? God I hate adapters and this one looks like a 3D printed game pad from the 80's.
Sorry for being so negative but come on guys, really?!
Sorry for being so negative but come on guys, really?!
39 months ago
I'm not too keen on stuffing bluetooth radios into my ear canal plus it ends up being yet another thing to charge.
39 months ago
"The Verge's Nilay Patel has called the move 'user-hostile and stupid', while Steve Streza...said the decision is good for Apple but bad for the consumer."
Whiners. People said the same thing when Apple switched from the 30-pin connector to Lightning. Does anyone still regret that move? I know I don't.
Whiners. People said the same thing when Apple switched from the 30-pin connector to Lightning. Does anyone still regret that move? I know I don't.
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