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I get the impression that bluetooth just is something modern smartphones (read: locked down internet browsers) can't get right. And we still have batteries in o

by tjoff 15y ago

I get the impression that bluetooth just is something modern smartphones (read: locked down internet browsers) can't get right. And we still have batteries in our phones.. As someone that uses bluetooth for music a lot, removing the headphone jack seems about as innovating as removing the wired ethernet jack.

pedalpete 15y ago
I understand where you're coming from, and the battery issue is probably the largest obstacle. I disagree with the wired-ethernet argument though, because without wifi, what other option do you have for connecting to the internet? Without bluetooth, you could use the 30-pin connector with an adapter to connect a pair of headphones. This isn't like connecting to the internet via usb or something obscure like that, as lots of devices already use the 30-pin connector for audio i/o.
- tjoff 15y ago
  "... as lots of devices already use the 30-pin connector for audio i/o." Didn't know that :o But I just loath the idea of carrying around adapters. And making yourself incompatible with all but apple sucks too, not being able to lend out something or use a good pair of headphones. The twenty dollar headsets are no problem, just buy a new pair (they will break soon anyway) but if you've bought something better you are probably not feeling like replacing them (and replace with what?). And I doubt there really are many higher-end headphones with an 30-pin connector, but I could be wrong. Also, haven't apple agreed to use micro-usb? Or is that only for charging? :\ But of course I understand apples point of view, it kinda sucks that the audio connector should limit the thickness of the device. But an own proprietary connector? That will just limit the supply of decent hardware and again make yourself incompatible with everything else. It's bad enough that we have two different standards for 4-pin 3.5mm connectors. And for the market to follow they must make up their own connector and then we are trapped in a world full of cumbersome adapters that takes a lot of space just to save a few millimeters on the device itself. (and really, how thin can you make a smartphone with a large screen without it breaking in your pocket? Is the 3.5mm jack really that big of a limiting factor? If you manage to cut off one mm thanks to a new connector, is that worth it?) Replacing the 3.5m jack is going to be, in the very best case, extremely painful. Even if the whole world united and decided on a replacement connector together. It's not something you do just by introducing a new iphone. Not that that will stop apple, they have enough market share to create their own ecosystem of cheap accessories (where apple is likely to get a cut of everything).

by tjoff 15y ago

pedalpete 15y ago

I understand where you're coming from, and the battery issue is probably the largest obstacle. I disagree with the wired-ethernet argument though, because without wifi, what other option do you have for connecting to the internet? Without bluetooth, you could use the 30-pin connector with an adapter to connect a pair of headphones. This isn't like connecting to the internet via usb or something obscure like that, as lots of devices already use the 30-pin connector for audio i/o.

tjoff 15y ago
"... as lots of devices already use the 30-pin connector for audio i/o." Didn't know that :o But I just loath the idea of carrying around adapters. And making yourself incompatible with all but apple sucks too, not being able to lend out something or use a good pair of headphones. The twenty dollar headsets are no problem, just buy a new pair (they will break soon anyway) but if you've bought something better you are probably not feeling like replacing them (and replace with what?). And I doubt there really are many higher-end headphones with an 30-pin connector, but I could be wrong. Also, haven't apple agreed to use micro-usb? Or is that only for charging? :\ But of course I understand apples point of view, it kinda sucks that the audio connector should limit the thickness of the device. But an own proprietary connector? That will just limit the supply of decent hardware and again make yourself incompatible with everything else. It's bad enough that we have two different standards for 4-pin 3.5mm connectors. And for the market to follow they must make up their own connector and then we are trapped in a world full of cumbersome adapters that takes a lot of space just to save a few millimeters on the device itself. (and really, how thin can you make a smartphone with a large screen without it breaking in your pocket? Is the 3.5mm jack really that big of a limiting factor? If you manage to cut off one mm thanks to a new connector, is that worth it?) Replacing the 3.5m jack is going to be, in the very best case, extremely painful. Even if the whole world united and decided on a replacement connector together. It's not something you do just by introducing a new iphone. Not that that will stop apple, they have enough market share to create their own ecosystem of cheap accessories (where apple is likely to get a cut of everything).