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If you wanted to replace the headphone jack with your "new thing" the most effective way to do that would have to involve as many audio hardware companies as po
by jfoster 10y ago
If you wanted to replace the headphone jack with your "new thing" the most effective way to do that would have to involve as many audio hardware companies as possible also producing headphones that work with your "new thing". You would want to pre-announce it along with specs and make it an open standard that other companies can utilise without paying royalties.
The GBA still wouldn't have had anywhere near enough market share to pull it off. Apple definitely could've, I think. I haven't followed closely enough, but are other accessory manufacturers able to produce headphones for the new iPhone, or is it completely limited to whatever Apple release?
- joemi 10y agoI think it had a comparable (or even better?) percentage of the market, though probably fewer actual units.
- culturestate 10y ago> I haven't followed closely enough, but are other accessory manufacturers able to produce headphones for the new iPhone, or is it completely limited to whatever Apple release? I cannot fathom the amount of (legitimate) outrage that would follow Apple's decision to limit audio output to Apple-branded products. Several companies already make Lightning-connected headphones, and you can still connect whichever Bluetooth headphones/speakers you want.
- freehunter 10y agoI cannot fathom the thought process behind someone thinking Apple has removed Bluetooth support from the phone. Just goes to show how ridiculous the outrage and FUD can get sometimes.
- pbhjpbhj 10y agoThe thought process would be "Apple want to own the peripherals market for their devices and their fans won't be perturbed by such a buyer hostile approach".
- pbhjpbhj 10y agoIIRC from a previous comment here Apple are charging about $5 per lightning connector that a 3rd party makes. They presumably designed it exactly for the purpose of getting money from every sale in "their" product space.
- mikeash 10y agoOther accessory manufacturers can produce Lightning headphones (what the new iPhone uses, and older ones can use them too) and they are starting to. A quick search reveals a decent selection, although of course tiny in comparison to what's out there with the standard connector. Some of them are in stock right now, which implies that Apple gave them information in advance. A royalty-free open standard probably isn't happening, though.
- kalleboo 10y agoThere were some early Lightning headphones available even before the iPhone 7 announcement. Here are some from 2014: http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/10/6130587/fidelio-m2l-lightning-headphones http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/10/6130587/fidelio-m2l-lightn...
- 2muchcoffeeman 10y agoI've been using the Kozoy Astrapi. A portable amp/DAC that plugs straight into the lightning port like the Apple dongle.
- mikeash 10y agoNeat. I guess I just assumed that the capability was new.
- p0ppe 10y agoBluetooth Capable Headphone Sales Surpass Non-Bluetooth Sales (in dollars, not in units) - https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2016/bluetooth-capable-headphone-sales-surpass-non-bluetooth-sales/ https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/20...
- matwood 10y agoCorrect. There was also a recent report that said > 50% of iPhone users only ever use the included headphones. In short, it is a non-issue.
- douche 10y agoNo shit. Regular cabled earbuds sell for $2 in every gas station and CVS in the US. Just the Bluetooth components cost more than that, not to mention batteries.