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> Besides, with only Apple earbuds currently supporting the Lightning audio connection This is just factually incorrect. Even before today's announcement ligh

by aroman 10y ago

> Besides, with only Apple earbuds currently supporting the Lightning audio connection This is just factually incorrect. Even before today's announcement lightning headphones have been available from multiple independent headphone makers, including Bose and Phillips[0]. https://www.google.com/amp/www.mirror.co.uk/tech/dont-panic-apple-fans-already-8791870.amp?client=safari https://www.google.com/amp/www.mirror.co.uk/tech/dont-panic-...

cr1895 10y ago
You can also output digital audio to USB through Apple's Camera Connect Kit, which allows you to use an external DAC/amp for whatever headphones you want.
- brokenmachine 10y ago
  I wonder how long Apple will allow that loophole to exist...
GarrisonPrime 10y ago
How about "only Apple earbuds or Apple-approved devices"? Surely, the point is Apple can easily control what works and what doesn't. Whatever the situation is today is no comfort against the potential abuses of the future.
- hbosch 10y ago
  They have been doing this with headphones for a while now. I became acquainted with this when I had some headphones with play/pause, volume controls, and a mic for my iPhone 4S. After the 4S, I bought an Android phone and was sad to learn the volume controls over the 3.5mm connector were Apple proprietary and the only thing I could do with my $150 Klipsh 'phones as play/pause or answer calls - the volume rocker becoming totally useless.
q3k 10y ago
They're not independent - they license the proprietary Lightning standard from Apple at a fee [1] [2]. As a potential headphone manufacturer you can't even know the exact agreement (including terms and royalties) without signing an NDA. [1] - https://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/ https://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/ [2] - https://mfi.apple.com/MFiWeb/getFAQ.action#1-1 https://mfi.apple.com/MFiWeb/getFAQ.action#1-1

by aroman 10y ago

cr1895 10y ago

You can also output digital audio to USB through Apple's Camera Connect Kit, which allows you to use an external DAC/amp for whatever headphones you want.

brokenmachine 10y ago
I wonder how long Apple will allow that loophole to exist...

GarrisonPrime 10y ago

How about "only Apple earbuds or Apple-approved devices"? Surely, the point is Apple can easily control what works and what doesn't. Whatever the situation is today is no comfort against the potential abuses of the future.

hbosch 10y ago
They have been doing this with headphones for a while now. I became acquainted with this when I had some headphones with play/pause, volume controls, and a mic for my iPhone 4S. After the 4S, I bought an Android phone and was sad to learn the volume controls over the 3.5mm connector were Apple proprietary and the only thing I could do with my $150 Klipsh 'phones as play/pause or answer calls - the volume rocker becoming totally useless.

q3k 10y ago

They're not independent - they license the proprietary Lightning standard from Apple at a fee [1] [2]. As a potential headphone manufacturer you can't even know the exact agreement (including terms and royalties) without signing an NDA. [1] - https://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/ https://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/ [2] - https://mfi.apple.com/MFiWeb/getFAQ.action#1-1 https://mfi.apple.com/MFiWeb/getFAQ.action#1-1