News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:AirPods don't “just work” by dont__panic on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @11:26AM (#30087513)
Exactly. Removing the headphone jack is incredibly hostile to those of us who want to use wired headphones, and clearly motivated by the insane profits of wireless earbuds. And the worst part? It's working. Just look at the AirPods business and you'll see exactly why Apple does it.

For myself, I'm sticking with an older phone and IEMs with replaceable cables. Super happy with it because I'm OK with the tradeoff of dealing with the wire instead of dealing with batteries and replacements every 2-3 years. So sure, Apple has made some profit off of wireless buds. But they could make even more profit by adding a headphone jack and allowing folks who want wireless buds to use them. (no, dongles and lightning headphones do not solve this issue -- I want to be able to use the same connector for all my devices, and I want to be able to use it while charging) At least add it to the SE, for Pete's sake.

Re:AirPods don't “just work” by flavmartins on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @11:57AM (#30088028)
You could always get the dongle to support the wired headphones. My teen daughter is using it now that she has lost her airpods.
Re:AirPods don't “just work” by vinceguidry on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @12:31PM (#30088610)
Tried it, Apple-made dongles fail with incredible frequency, and non-Apple made ones just don't work.
Re:AirPods don't “just work” by dpark on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @11:28AM (#30087558)
> But they could make even more profit by adding a headphone jack and allowing folks who want wireless buds to use them.

How would this generate more profit for Apple?

Re:AirPods don't “just work” by jamestanderson on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @11:49AM (#30087904)
For one thing, I'd buy an iPhone again.
Re:AirPods don't “just work” by dpark on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @11:54AM (#30087986)
I wonder how many people have actually stopped buying iPhones due to the removal of the minijack. I bet it’s noise to Apple’s revenue. I also expect that they save more in the hardware simplification than they lose on sales.
Re:AirPods don't “just work” by jamestanderson on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @12:05PM (#30088145)
I'm sure it's 100% worth it for them financially. Me not buying an iPhone because it doesn't have a headphone jack means nothing to them.

I think what will hurt them in the long run is their pattern of user-hostility will start to affect their image. For instance:

* Right to repair gaining steam (Apple now introducing some basic form of parts availability)

* Apple eroding their image as a Privacy company (Apple had to delay their "child safety" tools after public outcry)

* iMessage lock-in (Apple users "bullying" Android users due to Apple's hostile UI choices).

Those are just the recent examples that come to mind.

It'll all add up until Apple has a PR problem that actually does start affecting their bottom line, and then they'll have to make concessions that'll make people happy again.

Re:AirPods don't “just work” by dont__panic on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @12:03PM (#30088119)
Probably not a lot. But it's one of those "death by a thousand cuts" things I can't ignore in an iphone purchase. Between that and the fingerprint reader, I'm out. If they brought either back I could justify it.
Re:AirPods don't “just work” by Ntrails on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @12:43PM (#30088779)
I really do miss my headphone jack. Not being able to charge and listen to music at the same time is dumb as hell.

However, my 6 was proper dying, so once they bought out the SE or whatever with a sensible form factor and fingerprint scanner I was convinced it was better than trying to switch

Re:AirPods don't “just work” by frosted-flakes on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @12:25PM (#30088498)
The iPhone SE2 has a fingerprint reader. It's a lower quality device though.
Re:AirPods don't “just work” by wruza on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @12:40PM (#30088734)
Looking at my SE2 right now. What you mean lower quality? (Btw it has no minijack)
Re:AirPods don't “just work” by frosted-flakes on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @03:47PM (#30091557)
Not flagship. Non-OLED screen, single rear camera, no face recognition, smaller battery, etc.

GP's requirements were either a fingerprint sensor or headphone jack before switching.

Re:AirPods don't “just work” by wruza on Thursday January 27, 2022 @03:36AM (#30097826)
That is called less features, not less quality.
Re:AirPods don't “just work” by throwaway_Aef8 on Wednesday January 26, 2022 @05:13PM (#30092806)
Heequaet4geongeel1bag0xie9inaB4u