Apple Corporation is Bad for Technology

[?Impact]

The headphone jack is technology that is over 100 years old.

The 3.5mm (referred to in the US as 1/8", but technically larger) stereo headphone jack is not 100 years old. Yes, you could say it is derived from old tip&ring phone jacks, but then bluetooth is also derived as it is just another evolutionary step. I don't know when the first 3.5mm stereo headphone jack first appeared, but I expect it was around 1980 when the Sony Walkman came out. Prior to that we did have 1/4" stereo headphone jacks, and 1/8" mono earphone jacks. Does anyone remember the old TINI jack from 70's era synthesizers, slightly larger than 3.5mm an mono?

[Bryan]

But you know Apple isn't doing it because Bluetooth is better and headphone jacks are an outdated technology, they're doing it so they can force people to use their proprietary earphone jack to squeeze more money out of the consumer.

They absolutely are doing it to move on from outdated tech. Without any question whatsoever, that is THE reason they want to do it. THE reason they always do it. They very often abandon tech they have patents on in favour of things they have to license from others. Other companies already make lightning port headphones even when Apple doesn't. Besides that, Apple includes the headphones with their phones and music players, so they only make more money from the move if people choose to buy additional Apple branded headphones when they buy the new device (which few people do).

[Bryan]

The 3.5mm (referred to in the US as 1/8", but technically larger) stereo headphone jack is not 100 years old. Yes, you could say it is derived from old tip&ring phone jacks, but then bluetooth is also derived as it is just another evolutionary step. I don't know when the first 3.5mm stereo headphone jack first appeared, but I expect it was around 1980 when the Sony Walkman came out. Prior to that we did have 1/4" stereo headphone jacks, and 1/8" mono earphone jacks. Does anyone remember the old TINI jack from 70's era synthesizers, slightly larger than 3.5mm an mono?

In 100 yrs, they were able to make it slightly smaller, and about 50 yrs ago they added a few functional features. In the grand scheme of technology, it's one of the least evolutionary developments that you can get.

[Bryan]

As an Apple user I am surprised you would not have considered the possibility of Apple's switch with the 7 and bought accordingly.

I knew it was coming sooner or later so I updated to BT a little while back.

I'm quite happy with my 6 plus. Unless the 7 blows my socks off, I doubt I'll be upgrading. There would have to be a substantial reason beyond "it's new" If it's thinner, I'm definitely not interested (if anything my 6+ is too thin already). I also have far more devices than just my phone that I use the headphones with, so what my phone uses was the least of my worries.

Besides all that, bluetooth sound had improved, but it is still not that great. It didn't make sense to me to buy expensive headphones, then have them use an inferior sound quality transmission system. And, since I can easily change my Sennheisers from BT to 3.5mm, I can still use them wherever I want.

[overthere]

I want a phone that does less and costs far, far less than anything Apple makes now.

Android next, I'm done with $700+ phones from Apple.

[cybercoma]

Are there any BT headphones that sound good? I find them all lacking compared to wired headphones. I hate this idea of forcing BT or adding a converter for lighting connectors. Even worse if the only headphones wired with lightning are Beats.

Beats headphones are hot garbage. I have no idea how the you so popular. They push base and sound muddy. They shrink the soundstage and are simply overpriced, market-hyped crap. You could get far better introductory audiophile headphones for a fraction of the price.

This is such a stupid and unnecessary move. All because they're racing to make the thinnest phone. To what end?

[TimG]

Are there any BT headphones that sound good? I find them all lacking compared to wired headphones.

I got rid of my wireless headsets recently because I was sick of the reliability issues.

I now have a nice wired headset which has been hassle free.

Edited September 5, 2016 by TimG

[msj]

I think the rule is to talk about headphones in the headphone thread as long as one leaves the Apple whine in this thread....

[msj]

So they did it.

I am starting to come around to this Apple is doing it to make money - if they can sell 100 million lightning to 3.5 mm adapters at $9 CDN then they stand to generate a whole $900 million of revenue.

Yes, CDN.

As in $700 million USD.

As in 0.3% of their total revenue.

Uh huh. Right.

This also assumes competitors don't cut into this business nor the effect of the free ones they include with the 7 and 7 plus.

Once again, uh huh, right.

[Boges]

So they did it.

I am starting to come around to this Apple is doing it to make money - if they can sell 100 million lightning to 3.5 mm adapters at $9 CDN then they stand to generate a whole $900 million of revenue.

Yes, CDN.

As in $700 million USD. It's a premium adaptor made with quality material from only the best Chinese sweatshops.

As in 0.3% of their total revenue.

Uh huh. Right.

This also assumes competitors don't cut into this business nor the effect of the free ones they include with the 7 and 7 plus.

Once again, uh huh, right.

I don't believe Apple would sell anything that cheap. It's a premium adaptor made from only the best material assembled by the greatest Chinese sweatshops there is.

I love how they think it takes "courage" to do this. They really believe their BS don't they?

Also, who was the Mensa that designed the BT "Earpods" to be two separate pieces? Those won't get lost or anything.

Edited September 7, 2016 by Boges

[?Impact]

Check out the Apple website for the iPhone 7. Both a set of EarPods with lightening connector, and a lightening to 3.5mm adapter are included. So much for the Apple UnFanBoys, better luck next time.

[msj]

I don't believe Apple would sell anything that cheap. It's a premium adaptor made from only the best material assembled by the greatest Chinese sweatshops there is.

I love how they think it takes "courage" to do this. They really believe their BS don't they?

Check it on their website - $10 CDN ($9 USD).

As for the courage thing - sure, hyperbole.

But look at all the chicken little stories that have been going on and on and on forever about how Apple was going to kill the 3.5 mm jack and it's all about the money etc etc ad nauseum.

So, which is it: a brave-ish move or a money grubbing move?

Edited September 8, 2016 by msj

[overthere]

Check out the Apple website for the iPhone 7. Both a set of EarPods with lightening connector, and a lightening to 3.5mm adapter are included. So much for the Apple UnFanBoys, better luck next time.

Are they included in the low low retail price of $650US/$800 CDN?

Sign me up.

[bush_cheney2004]

This reminds me of the original mad dash by Canadians to get their hands on an iPhone....the Americans had them.

Oh, oh...what to do ?

So let me get this straight…you have seen the breathtaking, revolutionary device, called an iPhone, right? And now you want to get your scrubby little paws on one? Sounds easy enough, right? Well, think again if you’re not living in the mighty USA or in Europe. To think that Canada is the United States’ largest trading partner, don’t you think we should’ve gotten the iPhone a bit earlier than the rest? Don’t worry, it boggles my mind too. So, where do you go to buy an iPhone in Canada? If you’re a Canuck in the Great White North, what’s the first thing you should do if you’re looking to buy an iPhone? Well, I’m going to tell you…here we go! So let’s get started with the Top 5 Ways to Buy iPhones for Canadians!

http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/new-iphones/top-5-ways-to-buy-iphones-for-canadians/

[Moonlight Graham]

Check it on their website - $10 CDN ($9 USD).

As for the courage thing - sure, hyperbole.

But look at all the chicken little stories that have been going on and on and on forever about how Apple was going to kill the 3.5 mm jack and it's all about the money etc etc ad nauseum.

So, which is it: a brave-ish move or a money grubbing move?

Of course it's about money. Now everyone who wants to use their 3.5mm headphones has to carry around an extra adapter with them. What BS. Or....they could just buy some Apple-licensed lightening-connected wired headphones or licensed Apple wireless phones!

Apple has always been a bunch of control freaks. They hate open source, they hate cross-compatibility. They want to own the proprietary technology rather than making it easier for the user to use. They don't want to democratize technology, they want to own it all themselves so we'll all bow at their feet while we throw dollars at them. Kiss my ass Apple To all you sheep who buy this trendy over-priced nonsense, you get what you deserve.

[msj]

Of course it's about money. Now everyone who wants to use their 3.5mm headphones has to carry around an extra adapter with them. What BS. Or....they could just buy some Apple-licensed lightening-connected wired headphones or licensed Apple wireless phones!

Again - there is plenty of competition for wireless headphones and headphones with lightning connections already.

This is not going to be a money maker for Apple based on selling $10 adapters and hoping people will chose Beats instead of Bose, Philips, Sennheiser, Grado, etc etc.

I doubt the licensing fee revenue is going to amount to much.

In fact I find it amusing because on the one hand the RAAFB's (Rabid anti-Apple Fan Boi's) like to complain about this alleged money grab which is likely to be meaningless to Apple's revenues and profit while on the other hand talking about what a flop the watch is for only bringing in several billions of dollars (which is still small compared to their revenue and profit base but still larger than what the HP jack change will be).

So, which way are you RAAFB's going to have it this time?

Money grab or the watch isn't as bad as you think?

In your own time....

Apple has always been a bunch of control freaks. They hate open source, they hate cross-compatibility. They want to own the proprietary technology rather than making it easier for the user to use. They don't want to democratize technology, they want to own it all themselves so we'll all bow at their feet while we throw dollars at them. Kiss my ass Apple To all you sheep who buy this trendy over-priced nonsense, you get what you deserve.

Oh no! There's no competition to give people the choice to keep using old technology!

If you don't like Apple then don't buy Apple: your problems are solved.

As for getting what we deserve - what's that?

A product and system that we like to use and are willing to upgrade to?

You do realize that Apple is not that much more expensive than the latest and greatest Android, right?

Factor in the convenience factor (time savings of using a well designed system that suits me) and I have no problem with Apple.

Seamless usage going from my phone to iPad to watch (and to Mac for my wife who is lucky enough to get to use one rather than a crap PC like I have to use) is worth the extra cost for me.

Time and money - Sometimes spending money is worth the time saved and sometimes spending time is worth the money savings.

We all make our choices in this way but some seem to be more...mainstream than others and, therefore, we must face the snark of the RAAFB's.

Maybe people's choices are just different and are suitable to each person based on those differences?

But nah, Apple is bad for technology because people who do not use it say so....

...while unable to keep their mouths shut and just enjoy the great products that the competion makes for their benefit.

Hmm, choice, if you don't like mine then you're an idiot (the RAAFB mantra).

[msj]

Are they included in the low low retail price of $650US/$800 CDN?

Sign me up.

In the meantime, that $800 adapter comes with a shiny new iPhone 7 for free!

Edited September 8, 2016 by msj

[Boges]

I don't recall ever calling the Apple Watch a money grab. My beef with the Apple Watch is with people who think it's in anyway innovative. It's a glorified Fitbit and I don't see it gaining much traction at all for the mass market. Smart Watches are very niche.

This earphone jack thing is a money grab. However the more I think of it, I don't really disagree with it all that much. Earphone connectors are always the first thing that stops working on even the most expensive headphones. BUT having a jack is still useful. As mentioned previously, I'm going on a plane and BT headphones probably won't last the full trip, it would be nice not to have to use BT for the trip. But including an adaptor is a decent compromise. What is LOL however is the design of these Airpods or whatever, It's too uncool to have the earpieces connected somehow? Those things would get lost soooooo fast.

I think my main critique with the Apple Fanboy is the delusional claim that things are only innovative when Apple does it. LTE? NFC? Phablet? Settings Toggle? It seems the only time Apple decides to be innovative is when it wants its user to buy all new hardware. (ie the Lightning port and no earphone jack)

I'm curious what is the cause of Apple's huge reduction in stock price? Is it because people just aren't upgrading to new hardware fast enough OR is it just as statement of the smartphone market in general. There just aren't enough new things available each year that makes people want to break their contracts and upgrade right away.

I think any objective Apple fan would agree that there's nothing announced in this new iPhone 7 that would make anyone that has a 5, 5S, 6 or 6S to upgrade the minute it comes out.

[msj]

I don't recall ever calling the Apple Watch a money grab. My beef with the Apple Watch is with people who think it's in anyway innovative. It's a glorified Fitbit and I don't see it gaining much traction at all for the mass market. Smart Watches are very niche.

Who, besides Apple marketing, claims that the watch is this great innovative marvel?

I don't know any real person who has claimed that.

But it is a very good product and I no longer use any of my Garmins for running.

But I wasn't saying the watch as a money grab. It is the people who go on about it as being this massive flop.

That if Apple were to get less than a billion in revenue from the jack is a tremendous money grab while selling billions more in watches is some kind of flop is a strange kind of RAAFB cognitive dissonance.

Ask Fossil about this flop. Or some Swiss watch makers (Swatch for example) as it has taken market share at their expense.

[Boges]

Who, besides Apple marketing, claims that the watch is this great innovative marvel?

I don't know any real person who has claimed that.

But it is a very good product and I no longer use any of my Garmins for running.

But I wasn't saying the watch as a money grab. It is the people who go on about it as being this massive flop.

That if Apple were to get less than a billion in revenue from the jack is a tremendous money grab while selling billions more in watches is some kind of flop is a strange kind of RAAFB cognitive dissonance.

Ask Fossil about this flop. Or some Swiss watch makers (Swatch for example) as it has taken market share at their expense.

They don't really occupy the same space. One is a piece of sophisticated hardware, the other is a connector so you can use headphones you had previously.

I think Smartwatches are largely a flop cross platform. Android doesn't really market them much anymore really. And it's not like Apple Watches are much better than any Android watches, they do the same shit.

Edited September 8, 2016 by Boges

[Bryan]

Of course it's about money. Now everyone who wants to use their 3.5mm headphones has to carry around an extra adapter with them. What BS. Or....they could just buy some Apple-licensed lightening-connected wired headphones or licensed Apple wireless phones!

The headphones and the adapter come in the box. Lightning connector headphones were already being made by third party headphone makers. Any bluetooth headphones will work with all BT enabled Apple products. If this is supposed to be a cash grab, they're going it wrong.

[cybercoma]

I'm still concerned about audio fidelity.

[Moonlight Graham]

We all make our choices in this way but some seem to be more...mainstream than others and, therefore, we must face the snark of the RAAFB's.

Oh now it's me vs you and you've framed this as a fanboy war. Blech.

I don't care what you buy, or anyone. But it's pretty head-scratching to not add a dirt-cheap 3.5mm hole when everybody owns wired headphones.

Edited September 9, 2016 by Moonlight Graham

[msj]

I don't care what you buy, or anyone. But it's pretty head-scratching to not add a dirt-cheap 3.5mm hole when everybody owns wired headphones.

Not head scratching at all: gives more room for more battery life or a double camera or any number of benefits.

Or perhaps it is the start of the conspiracy to force licensing fees for the new W chip in headphones.

Doesn't matter since people can choose to not partake so still not sure what the point is to whine about it.

[overthere]

In the meantime, that $800 adapter comes with a shiny new iPhone 7 for free!

Is there any way I could get two adapters for $1600??

I think that perhaps Apple is going to have to change their global business model.

The latest phone announcement has not caused their stock to bounce.

Their products are all premium priced , but how does that sustain growth? They cannot really penetrate anywhere outside Yurp and North America because consumers in developing countries simply cannot afford Apple products.. Yes, I know they have hundreds of billions in a war chest- but unless they use it to develop/sell cheap Apple stuff under another name I don't see how they grow their base.