It was predicted for some time and now it’s official: the new iPhone has no headphone jack. But what took Tim (Cook) to remove the jack? What are the immediate and future implications? Here is our opinion on the matter
Is it courage. – As claimed by Apple – or recklessness as to remove the headphone jack of a smartphone? In any case, this transition will be remembered. First, because you see bad Apple to back off on the next generations of iPhone (and iPad). Then, because this decision is part of the philosophy of the brand, consisting of gradually get rid of any material item to make room in dematerialized. optical drives for the Mac? Done ago iTunes to source media. Storage ? Apple was the first to bury the disk, while its iPhone have long remained at 16 basis GB. Anyway, there iCloud. And today is the jack that toast.
So the surprise maneuver unless it detonates, Apple being one of the few manufacturers to shun the headphone jack, with Lenovo (Moto Z) and Chinese LEECO (true pioneer). The announcement also detonated in the sense that it makes noise and allows Apple to don the costume of a visionary “brave”, ahead of its time and competition. Excluding the Moto Z Lenovo smartphones and the three jackless LEECO, is the whole market is going that direction?
before answering this question, decipher those official and unofficial reasons behind Apple, and show the impact of this strategy on the everyday user. In terms of user benefits, nothing needed to oust the headphone jack: audio experience that will be offered an iPhone 7 will be the same as on an iPhone 6s. Bluetooth has been around a long time, while a range of headsets using the proprietary Lightning connector Apple has already begun to form, shortly after the connection has emerged.
the Philips Fidelio M2L and MDR-1ADAC Sony Lightning are two helmets out for a year and a half.
Also, the disappearance of the headphone jack is primarily reflected by stress, restriction of opportunities for future iPhone owners 7. While Apple put on a rapid development of Lightning helmets ranges, and Bluetooth on the existing offer that would have exceeded (by value) that wireframe models (source NDP) in the US in June 2016, but by volume – in view of the delta between the average price Bluetooth headsets and wired ones – even the good old jack prevailing. For refractory, Apple has scheduled a lightning / jack adapter, supplied free (another innovation from Apple?) With the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. But it will judge the quality of miniature integrated DAC in the adapter and convenience of the device in use.
The Lightning adapter to 3.5mm mm, available with the new iPhone and sold separately to 9 euros
objective arguments are not lining up at the gate: saving space squatted in part by the Taptic Engine and other components? Enhanced sealing with one less hole? Not very convincing … As for the desire to push the market towards higher quality standards, we have already said, remove the headphone jack was not necessary. Recall that the interest of Lightning Audio, is to bypass the digital-analog converter (DAC) of the smartphone to reset the digital stream without degradation to the DAC (and the amplification stage) compatible headphones .
There may be nothing left enough space for a jack?
Building on the fact that manufacturers will in their helmets higher quality audio components as those found in smartphones (which is not very complicated), a restitution of improvement must be observed, especially access to HD formats (96 or 192 KHz) . Only for 99% of people who listen to MP3, AAC or other compressed format in streaming , the difference between a good wired headset plugged into a jack and Lightning model is not something easy … Conversely, a helmet Lightning will feed on the iPhone battery (sometimes on its own battery, but this is rare) and thus reduce its autonomy. And it becomes impossible to listen to music with headphones and charge at the same time (except to use the new dock).
A jack left too early for nothing? Yes and no. Already, we must remember that the jack 6.35mm format was invented in 1878. His miniature pendant (3.5 mm) appeared in the second half of the twentieth century, particularly with the rise of radio stations. Technology has lived well, turn the page would not be an aberration.
The telecommunications operators, realizing the hand with jack connections, during World War II
But back on topic. If Apple actually trying to force the hand, hoping to form a virtuous loop between consumer demand and supply manufacturers, is also a bit to force the destiny, to widen its place before others occupy. Indeed, the mini jack plug headphones seems to direct inevitably to digital evolution. We must remember that some players already offer audio USB headsets (Sony and JBL) and Intel clearly work for the digital connectivity standard tomorrow or the USB Type-C. The technical potential of the USB Type-C, its generalization in Android smartphones and modern computers and Intel’s ability to influence new technologies make this prospect could not be more realistic. It appears more correct to say that Apple is taking the lead of a movement running it innovates.
Key Intel projects for USB Type-C and audio, revealed at IDF this year
this leaves the greed to rationally explain this ‘technological’ corner: remove jack is for Apple the opportunity to increase sales of Lightning helmets and therefore profits. Either through royalties , or via the Beats subsidiary acquired in 2014 is still with AirPods to unreasonable costs 179 euros. For the user, this choice will be a cost. Since royalties Apple gets paid to third parties for any use “certified MFI” of its proprietary technologies are inevitably passed on to the end customer. And anyway, the Lightning headsets or USB Type-C are naturally more expensive as they embark electronics and more (DAC and amplifier) and sometimes their own battery. The manufacturers of headsets, which are already rubbing their hands since Dr. Dre initiated the prices helmet uninhibited fashion in 2008, still have a bright future ahead of them.
the AirPods, sold a whopping 180 euros !!!
Edited on 08/09/2016 at 18:05
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