Follow Slashdot blog updates by subscribing to our blog RSS feed

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
Apple Hardware Technology

Someone With an iMac, iPhone, and iPad Might Soon Need Three Different Headphone Adapters (9to5mac.com) 256

Posted by BeauHD from the courage-required dept.
According to reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's next iPad Pro will be switching from the Lightning Port to USB-C for the first time. It will also ship with a new 18W USB-C charger. 9to5Mac reports: While Kuo's memo mentions both the new iPad Pro with USB-C (wow) and MacBook with Touch ID, it's still unclear at this point if we'll see the iPad and Mac on stage at Wednesday's event, or if the September 12 date will be dedicated to iPhone and Apple Watch. That would be a massive change for an iOS device but one that could improve the iPad accessory ecosystem -- and be a boon for productivity. Kuo's memo does not suggest that this is simply a change from USB-A Lightning to USB-C Lightning but instead an actual port change on the iPad itself. Daring Fireball's John Gruber notes that if Kuo is correct, "someone with a Mac, iPhone, and iPad would need three different headphone adapters." That takes courage, Apple...
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Someone With an iMac, iPhone, and iPad Might Soon Need Three Different Headphone Adapters More

Someone With an iMac, iPhone, and iPad Might Soon Need Three Different Headphone Adapters

Comments Filter:
  • ...and go with Bluetooth instead. TBH I'm not sure that's a bad idea.

    • Re:It seems like Apple wants us to ditch adapters. (Score:5, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 10, 2018 @05:54PM (#57287202)

      They want your phones to only play approved content *(for their copyright monopoly side business) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-bandwidth_Digital_Content_Protection

    • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward

      Yeah, because if there is anything that "just works" it's Bluetooth.

    • Re: (Score:2, Informative)

      by registrations_suck ( 1075251 )

      Exactly. All three devices are perfectly compatible with Bluetooth headphones. No adapters required.

      But if one insists on using wired headphones, one can simply either not update some of their stuff, or they can update all of their stuff.

      • Re: (Score:3)

        by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

        Bluetooth audio is shit unless you have at least AptX and ideally AptX HD. So there are levels of compatibility.

        Bluetooth is also a pain in the arse if you need to switch devices much. Unpair, re-pair every time. You can toggle Bluetooth on and off instead, but only if you have no other Bluetooth devices.

        • Bluetooth audio is shit unless you have at least AptX and ideally AptX HD. So there are levels of compatibility.

          Bluetooth is also a pain in the arse if you need to switch devices much. Unpair, re-pair every time. You can toggle Bluetooth on and off instead, but only if you have no other Bluetooth devices.

          The Bluetooth unit in my iPhone can handle being connected to two devices at once. I usually just leave my bluetooth earbuds connected when I get into my car, the car's bluetooth unit connects just fine and the phone switches to the new output automatically. The only caveat here is getting earbuds with at least 8 hour battery life. As for audio quality I always get a chuckle out of people that complain about Bluetooth audio quality being shit, then pull out a set of $10 chorded earbuds and go about their bu

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

            What if you want to pair your headphones to your phone, tablet, laptop and work PC? How are you going to switch which one they are paired to?

            Keep in mind that if you switch off Bluetooth then your keyboard and mouse stop working too. Your phone won't pair to your car automatically any more and you will forget to switch back on when you get in.

            You will have to unpair and repair every time. Some devices have NFC to make it less painful, but not Apple ones.

            • There isn't a need to unpair just to switch sources for a Bluetooth speaker. **If you have a speaker connected to a dozen different sources then it becomes a real pain. I don't have any good solution for you in that case.**

              First disconnect from whichever source device is currently connected to it.
              on iPhone/iPad: Settings...Bluetooth... click the "i"... Disconnect.
              on OSX: Click Bluetooth icon, click connected device... Disconnect.

              Then connect whichever source you want to connect to the speaker.

              Yes

        • Bluetooth audio is shit .......

          if I am so much of an audiophile that I can pretend that the sound quality difference between Bluetooth and a wired connection is going to significantly affect my listening enjoyment, then SURELY I'm spending a metric shitload on a good headset. If I've got THAT kind of cash, I can easily upgrade all my other hardware to ensure they all have the same connection, buy a shitload of dongles so that I don't have to give a fuck about dongles, or simply NOT upgrade my other hardware to the extent that I have a bu

          • That's certainly not true. On a daily basis, I use my phone to connect to my Schuberth motorcycle helmet headset, a pair of Sennheiser headphones at my desk, and a UE Megaboom. The devices were all paired a long time ago. I can switch between these connections on my phone, at will, with no issues.

            Oh yeah - and also throw into that mix the cheap-ass Bluetooth receiver that plugs into the aux port in my Jeep. The phone connects to that without re-pairing just fine too.

            https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod... [amazon.com]

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

            Basic Bluetooth audio is bad even for non audiophiles. You really need AptX or you will notice.

            About pairing, I meant pairing the device to multiple phones/tablets/computers. Instead of just switching the cable over you have to muck about with Bluetooth pairing.

            • Basic Bluetooth audio is bad even for non audiophiles. You really need AptX or you will notice.

              So get AptX. What's the problem?

              About pairing, I meant pairing the device to multiple phones/tablets/computers. Instead of just switching the cable over you have to muck about with Bluetooth pairing.

              I see. Well, depends on the device I guess. Some of the devices I have easily pair with at least two devices. But even so....then use a dongle. I just don't see what the big deal about it is. Then again, I don't remember the last time I used wired headphones either.

        • headphone jack type headphones can also be shit if you buy the dollar store ones. Its all about buying a quality device.

    • Re:It seems like Apple wants us to ditch adapters. (Score:4, Interesting)

      by Pseudonym ( 62607 ) on Monday September 10, 2018 @06:39PM (#57287438)

      TBH I'm not sure that's a bad idea.

      Anyone who thinks this is as good idea doesn't have kids who regularly lose, break, and launder small items.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by jtgd ( 807477 )
      You want to have to keep another set of batteries charged just to use headphones??
    • If they change the "lightning" port, how do you don't need an adapter - iow, how do you charge with bluetooth?

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by dgatwood ( 11270 )

      The main problem with Bluetooth is latency. If you're watching a TV show or something, the latency with some Bluetooth hardware is enough to be vomit-inducing, because the audio lags so far behind the video. Until Apple figures out how to get their Bluetooth stack to accurately report latency all the way up the stack to apps, Bluetooth will continue to suck.

      Compounding this is the fact that Bluetooth isn't one standard, but rather a pile of competing standards. Android devices typically support aptX fro

    • ...and go with Bluetooth instead. TBH I'm not sure that's a bad idea.

      Bluetooth, while getting better, isn't as good as wired when it comes to sound quality. Plus there is the cost.

      I keep asking whether Bluetooth will ever be able to achieve CD audio quality? I keep coming up with "No" as the answer due to the technology limitations. I would love to be able to just set my phone in the car, automatically connect wireless, and get the same quality that I get with a direct connection. But it sounds worse than satellite radio...

      So, yeah, multiple wired adapters for different

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by djinn6 ( 1868030 )
      My car has no Bluetooth, so that's a non-starter.
    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • ...and go with Bluetooth instead. TBH I'm not sure that's a bad idea.

      It is, but go ahead and pay more for an inferior product. That's what apple really wants.

    • Apple wants you to ditch either headphones or iphones.

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Two adapters? (Score:2, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward

    Macbooks still have headphone ports, don't need three adapters. Someone can't count.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by jeremyp ( 130771 )

      They mean Macs would have a headphone port, iPhones would need a lightning adaptor and iPads would need a USB-C adaptor. Of course, since all Macbooks also come with USB-C you're still down to two pairs of headphones. But Apple Haters gotta hate.

  • If only (Score:5, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 10, 2018 @05:50PM (#57287172)

    If only there were a standard headphone connector that worked everywhere. Some standard that had already been used and refined over time. Something simple. Something that was robust. Something that already had wide spread adoption.

  • Am I the only one that thinks, "Someone with an iMac, iPhone, and iPad..." sounds like the beginning of a bartender joke?

  • What Macbook requires a headphone adapter?

  • Comment removed (Score:4, Insightful)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Monday September 10, 2018 @06:02PM (#57287238)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • Re:What's the point? (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Tough Love ( 215404 ) on Monday September 10, 2018 @09:02PM (#57288004)

      Android owners voted Google's Pixel off the island mainly because of the price but also partly because of the lack of headphone jack. Samsung was smart enough to notice the blowback and include it for S9. Apple relies on mind control instead, which is apparently not too hard for the kind of fan they attract, so a bunch of them will gloss over that deficiency and put a pair of overpriced Beats phones on their credit card, most probably near its melting point. Life with Apple. Life with a pocketful of dongles.

      • Android owners voted Google's Pixel off the island mainly because of the price but also partly because of the lack of headphone jack. Samsung was smart enough to notice the blowback and include it for S9. Apple relies on mind control instead, which is apparently not too hard for the kind of fan they attract, so a bunch of them will gloss over that deficiency and put a pair of overpriced Beats phones on their credit card, most probably near its melting point. Life with Apple. Life with a pocketful of dongles.

        Offtopic? More like, Apple employee with mod points, off their meds.

  • The reference to iMac it dishonest in my opinion: it is much more power hungry, and you do not support it with a handled device's power supply.

  • Corrected headline should read:

    "Someone With an iMac, iPhone, iPad AND WIRED HEADPHONES Might Soon Need Three Different Headphone Adapters"

    How many people is that anymore?

    I have had headphone adaptors since the iPhone 7 that I have only used once, and that was shortly after I got the first phone that dropped the jack - since that time I have not used them at all. I moved on to Bluetooth headphones.

    But all of this assumes that the new iPad will use USB-C. I'm mixed on that, on the one hand I would rather l

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Balial ( 39889 )

      "Someone With an iMac, iPhone, iPad AND WIRED HEADPHONES Might Soon Need Three Different Headphone Adapters"

      You're almost there... they have to have wired headphones, and want to attach them with a wire. There's plenty of wire to bluetooth converters out there. That's one converter to keep the same headphones.

    • I think anyone with a brain uses a wired headphone, a 20 hour battery life on wireless is wasteful and polluting too

  • "someone with a Mac, iPhone, and iPad would need three different headphone adapters."

    That is incorrect. They would need a set of headphones with a normal 3.5 jack (Mac), and two adapters (iPhone, iPad).

    • "someone with a Mac, iPhone, and iPad would need three different headphone adapters."

      That is incorrect. They would need a set of headphones with a normal 3.5 jack (Mac), and two adapters (iPhone, iPad).

      Much better.

  • It just works. (Score:3)

    by cyn1c77 ( 928549 ) on Monday September 10, 2018 @11:39PM (#57288434)

    Oh wait, it doesn't.

    It is amazing how Apple is squandering their design lead that Jobs left them.

    Perhaps it is just my opinion, but I think that this obsession with adapters is going to be the end of them.

    I don't know how you admit that "courage" was wrong and add the 3.5 mm jack back in, but they need to find a way. Maybe "courage" will work for that design reversion too.

  • We’ll know tomorrow for sure, but it could be that the ipad port stays in lightning form and that the charger has a USBC connector. Wouldn’t seem unreasonable to me.

  • ...and no one thought to point out that iPads have headphone jacks, making all of this moot? That quote about needing three adapters was based on what would happen if Apple were to remove the headphone jack from the iPad, but that’s not how things are now. But hey, you won’t get an outcry from that, let’s omit the preceding line from the quote so that we can take it out of context and stir up a tempest in a teacup.

    What was actually said was:

    But if the rumors are true that this year’s iPad Pros don’t have headphone jacks, this doesn’t make much sense at all. This would mean someone with a Mac, iPhone, and iPad would need three different headphone adapters.

  • "Courage."

  • Comment removed based on user account deletion

Slashdot Top Deals

Don't tell me how hard you work. Tell me how much you get done. -- James J. Ling

Close