Apple's In-Ear Headphones receive a subtle upgrade

[AppleInsider]

Apple has discretely updated its premium In-Ear Headphones, replacing the rubber 3.5 mm headphone plug casing with a hard plastic one, perhaps in an attempt to fix cord protectors that users complained came easily unfastened.

The change, spotted at the Christian Science Monitor Horizons Blog, makes the new headphone plug look like the Mag-Safe power adapter employed on MacBooks.

Though the $79 headphones, launched in December of 2008, received generally positive reviews, users peppered the upgrade with a myriad of complaints, including issues with the rubber plug protector coming loose.

While the upgrade addresses one of the device’s common complaints, other problems remain. For example, the premium upgrade’s volume buttons do not work with the original iPhone or iPhone 3G.

Many users have bought the headphones to step up from the widely panned stock headphones included with iPods and iPhones.

Apple’s In-Ear Headphones replaced the original, $39 upgrade model, which were largely considered to be a flop. The flush, almost conical shape of the first iteration was very difficult to keep in one's ear even in ideal conditions, and most of the improvement in audio quality simply came from moving the sound deeper into your ear opening.

Apple's In-Ear headphones originally used a rubber plug casing | Source: CNet News.com

Apple has since replaced the plug casing with a hard plastic one.

The new earbuds served as an admission by Apple that the original design didn't work, as the new design has a right-angled shape that fits much more directly. And after the debut of the iPhone, the second-generation iPod touch, and fourth-generation iPod nano, the ability to record voice became a crucial component of any headphone upgrade, so the improved In-Ear Headphones filled that need.

The premium upgrade features three different sizes of ear tips and a carrying case for the tips and headphones. It also has a stainless steel mesh cap, intended to keep the product clean.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Ireland]

The cable looks darker too.

[akf2000]

Christian. Science. Monitor. Horizons. Blog.

W.T.F.

[m01ety]

Originally Posted by akf2000

Christian. Science. Monitor. Horizons. Blog.

W.T.F.

What's your issue? The Christian Science Monitor is a very reputable US newspaper, with some of the best international and political coverage, with seven Pulitzer prizes. You may remember hearing about their reporter, Jill Carroll, who was kidnapped in Iraq a few years back. They are based here in Boston, my lovely hometown, and are one of the latest newspapers to be forced to get rid of their print editions due to the economy and a changing market landscape.

I will assume A) that you have never heard of the CSM, since you are based in the UK, and/or B) that you confuse Christian Science with Scientology, which are two very different things, the first being an actual religion founded in the 19th century by Mary Baker Eddy with a strong focus on the coexistence of religion and scientific truth and education, and the other being a money-grubbing sect founded by a third-rate sci-fi author half a century ago whose members include unstable celebreties like couch-jumping Tommy Cruise and ought-to-diet John Travolta.

Glad we got a chance to clear this up.

*****

With regards to the earphones, yes, I recently switched mine in because of some fraying, and the replacements I got do have the harder plastic cover. I noticed it immediately. Also: they are excellent (if) expensive earphones. If you have the cash and like bass and music, blow them on a pair. For serious. They're great.

[Maury Markowitz]

Just noticing this now? It changed over a month ago.

Sadly the ear cups come off and get lost just as easily, and they still don't ship a spare pair of medium ones. So now I have one medium and one large, which is far from optimal.

Actually if I could get them to fix one thing, it would be the sharp edges of the mic/controller. It sits right near my lapel, so when I turn my head it catches on it and sometimes pulls it out of my ear. If they rounded off the ends this would not be a problem.

Maury

[akf2000]

Originally Posted by m01ety

What's your issue? The Christian Science Monitor is a very reputable US newspaper, with some of the best international and political coverage, with seven Pulitzer prizes. You may remember hearing about their reporter, Jill Carroll, who was kidnapped in Iraq a few years back. They are based here in Boston, my lovely hometown, and are one of the latest newspapers to be forced to get rid of their print editions due to the economy and a changing market landscape.

I will assume A) that you have never heard of the CSM, since you are based in the UK, and/or B) that you confuse Christian Science with Scientology, which are two very different things, the first being an actual religion founded in the 19th century by Mary Baker Eddy with a strong focus on the coexistence of religion and scientific truth and education, and the other being a money-grubbing sect founded by a third-rate sci-fi author half a century ago whose members include unstable celebreties like couch-jumping Tommy Cruise and ought-to-diet John Travolta.

Glad we got a chance to clear this up.

*****
well I wasn't expecting that! Cheers!

[Warbrain]

Or it's more that they're bringing these in line with the other headphones. The iPhone 3GS earbuds feature the same hard plastic.

[ghostface147]

My damn right ear is too big for the medium buds and too small for the large ones. Dammit! However as far as sound quality, they sound decent.

[DanaCameron]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

While the upgrade addresses one of the device’s common complaints, other problems remain. For example, the premium upgrade’s volume buttons do not work with the original iPhone or iPhone 3G.

And what is the reason for this lack of backward compatibility? I'd upgrade in a heartbeat if they were fully compatible with my 3G.

Originally Posted by Maury Markowitz

Actually if I could get them to fix one thing, it would be the sharp edges of the mic/controller. It sits right near my lapel, so when I turn my head it catches on it and sometimes pulls it out of my ear. If they rounded off the ends this would not be a problem.

100% agree! I can't believe they still haven't addressed this. Maybe the testers at Apple (or wherever they're designed) don't wear shirts with collars.

[akf2000]

yeah the buds are DEFINITELY non-standard sizes and also there are no replacements, big red flag for anyone thinking of buying. I lost one medium bud and now am stuck with L.

[XGecko]

I highly recommend these with the in-ear ear buds:

http://www.complyfoam.com/Product/T%...new-version%29

[Galley]

The reason why the volume controls didn't work on older iPhones was a hardware issue on the iPhone side.

[XGecko]

The link above is for replacement memory foam ear tips.

[XGecko]

Originally Posted by Galley

The reason why the volume controls didn't work on older iPhones was a hardware issue on the iPhone side.

What I don't get is my iPhone and earbuds were both made by Apple and they don't work together because of a hardware "issue". Makes no sense and frustrates me to no end.

[voodooru]

Originally Posted by m01ety

the first being an actual religion founded in the 19th century by Mary Baker Eddy with a strong focus on the coexistence of religion and scientific truth and education, and the other being a money-grubbing sect founded by a third-rate sci-fi author half a century ago whose members include unstable celebreties like couch-jumping Tommy Cruise and ought-to-diet John Travolta.

"an actual religion" vs. "money-grubbing sect" ??

one claims the invisible man as their leader the other claims an alien ship as their leader.

"money-grubbing sect" can easily be applied to the "actual religion" as well.

silly right??


LOL

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by XGecko

I highly recommend these with the in-ear ear buds:

http://www.complyfoam.com/Product/T%...new-version%29

That's expensive foam!!

[Ireland]

Religions and cults are not the same thing. And I don't even want to get into it, just don't please.

[PG4G]

Originally Posted by Galley

The reason why the volume controls didn't work on older iPhones was a hardware issue on the iPhone side.

This is incorrect. The headphone jack connections are identical between the two. Apple has directed resellers to say this and also to claim "complete incompatibility" with the iPhone and iPhone 3G. Technically, everything but the volume up and down buttons work. The center button and microphone works.

The method that the centre and side buttons are received by the phone is identicle. The fact that the signals sent aren't implemented it because Apple refuses to on the software side as it's not a "feature" - it's to clear inventory of the old iPhone headphones.

Apple has directed resellers to spout this mumbo jumbo, but anyone who understands how the Jack works will know this can be upgraded by Apple - they just refuse to. A mate at a rather prestigous reseller told me they'd given such directions and he "couldn't tell the truth in public as it was against company policy and contradicted Apple's reseller instructions." A fact I was strongly unhappy about having two iPod Touch 2Gs in the house and one iPhone 3G.

Now I have a 3GS and it's all fine. Still, I disapprove of both the lie, and their incinuation that the microphone and centre button won't work when they will.

[emulator]

still crap, I'd discard them one day 1 if they were the standard plugs that came with the iPod.

[Warbrain]

Originally Posted by PG4G

This is incorrect. The headphone jack connections are identical between the two. Apple has directed resellers to say this and also to claim "complete incompatibility" with the iPhone and iPhone 3G. Technically, everything but the volume up and down buttons work. The center button and microphone works.

The method that the centre and side buttons are received by the phone is identicle. The fact that the signals sent aren't implemented it because Apple refuses to on the software side as it's not a "feature" - it's to clear inventory of the old iPhone headphones.

Apple has directed resellers to spout this mumbo jumbo, but anyone who understands how the Jack works will know this can be upgraded by Apple - they just refuse to. A mate at a rather prestigous reseller told me they'd given such directions and he "couldn't tell the truth in public as it was against company policy and contradicted Apple's reseller instructions." A fact I was strongly unhappy about having two iPod Touch 2Gs in the house and one iPhone 3G.

Now I have a 3GS and it's all fine. Still, I disapprove of both the lie, and their incinuation that the microphone and centre button won't work when they will.

If this is the case then why hasn't someone come up with a hack available in Cydia that would enable it?

[Magic_Al]

The CSM founder insisted that Christian Science be in the name and that that there be a daily religion column, but otherwise it's a serious, straight news source.

The in-ear headphone package design is still gynecological looking.

[akf2000]

Originally Posted by Magic_Al

The in-ear headphone package design is still gynecological looking.

hahah totally uterus!

[Zandros]

I guess the cable protector now is flush with the new iPod shuffle as well?

[bsenka]

There is no excuse for the volume controls not to work with any audio device. My $10 Sony's can do this (and they are a lot better headphones than the ones my iPods came with), but Apple's $80 ones can't? Come on.

[JaxBearsFan]

Originally Posted by emulator

still crap, I'd discard them one day 1 if they were the standard plugs that came with the iPod.

Obviously someone who's never even sampled this set for more than 2 minutes.

I'm no "audiophile," but I like great audio response and am a semi-collector of headphones...from Grado to Sennheiser to Shure...and IMHO, these Apple IEMs are a solid value for $79 US. For dual-driver headphones, I really don't think you'll find a better sound quality headset at that price...believe me, I've tried.

I picked up this set about 2-3 weeks ago, and miss them when I am not using them. They really sound great, and the 3GS functionality is superb. They're not for everybody, especially those who insist on a thunderous, deep bass sound that's constantly pounding...but for well rounded high end/low end, solid mids and overall sound, this set doesn't disappoint.

No one cares about a n00b's opinion, but since this is the interwebs, thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

[Mr.Scott]

Thanks for the link! Not bad prices either!

XGecko

I highly recommend these with the in-ear ear buds:

http://www.complyfoam.com/Product/T%...new-version%29

[cmf2]

Originally Posted by bsenka

There is no excuse for the volume controls not to work with any audio device. My $10 Sony's can do this (and they are a lot better headphones than the ones my iPods came with), but Apple's $80 ones can't? Come on.

Your $10 Sony's use a resistor in the cord to adjust the volume (higher resistance, lower current, lower volume), which make them compatible with anything but is equivalent to keeping your foot on the gas at all times and using your brakes to regulate your speed. Apples headphones actually adjust the system volume on the device itself.

[PG4G]

Originally Posted by Warbrain

If this is the case then why hasn't someone come up with a hack available in Cydia that would enable it?

Because unlike most hacks, this functionality is provided in lower level firmware. It'd be possible to hack, but not easy. Generally, the main hacks they exploit are higher-level, where Apple is very verbose in describing it's own APIs. It's like reading a book and they just have to reimplement the words.

This type of hack would be far lower level. It's hardware interaction - which is base-level firmware stuff and not easy to muck with.

[zigy24]

Try these:

http://www.dealsishop.com/silicone-r...es-remote.html

[Big KC]

Anyone who pays $$hundreds for an iPhone or iPod and uses ANY Apple earbud product is a fool. They're all terrible. The recent iSupply teardown of the iPhone 3GS listed the stock earbud cost as $1.55. What exactly would anyone expect quality-wise at that kind of cost point? These "upgrades" no doubt aren't much better.

There are a ton of great alternatives out there, all of which are a better value. If you listen to a lot of music, spring for something high-end, like Etymotic or Shure. You wouldn't spend a bundle on home stereo components, then pick up cheapo speakers at Radio Shack, would you? Just say no to Apple earbuds. Apple does many things well.. this isn't one of them.

[jayparry]

I have a pair of these for sale. I passed the 15 day return period unfortunately. Only used once. $50 paypal shipped jason dot parry at me dot com.

I love the original $39 ones!

[wobegon]

Originally Posted by PG4G

Because unlike most hacks, this functionality is provided in lower level firmware. It'd be possible to hack, but not easy. Generally, the main hacks they exploit are higher-level, where Apple is very verbose in describing it's own APIs. It's like reading a book and they just have to reimplement the words.

This type of hack would be far lower level. It's hardware interaction - which is base-level firmware stuff and not easy to muck with.

Hooey!

The original iPhone and iPhone 3G lack the fourth conductor/wiring required to adjust volume. What would be the point in Apple holding this functionality back? It's not a system selling feature. Where's the motive? Arbitrary punishment? They could make a good deal of money on existing iPhone 2G/3G users if all it took was a firmware update to enable volume control.

Of course they're going to say they're incompatible with past iPhones, they are. One of the bullet points on the box is 'volume control'. If people buy these for their original iPhone or iPhone 3G and they don't work as advertised, it's one more lawsuit for Apple.

[Pooch]

Originally Posted by Maury Markowitz

Just noticing this now? It changed over a month ago

perhaps because they were busy failing journalism 101, where you learn the difference between discrete and discreet. even the loons in the craigslist personals know the difference ...

[str1f3]

Is there any headphones out there that support all the features of the Apple In-Ear Headphones?

[allblue]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple has discretely updated its premium In-Ear Headphones...

Surely you mean discreetly?

[bsenka]

Originally Posted by cmf2

Your $10 Sony's use a resistor in the cord to adjust the volume (higher resistance, lower current, lower volume), which make them compatible with anything but is equivalent to keeping your foot on the gas at all times and using your brakes to regulate your speed. Apples headphones actually adjust the system volume on the device itself.

Still, the Sony's have better sound, can be used on any device, and cost a lot less. How much energy is saved by Apple's implementation? It's a compromise, not an advancement.

[Gandalf47]

Originally Posted by akf2000

yeah the buds are DEFINITELY non-standard sizes and also there are no replacements, big red flag for anyone thinking of buying. I lost one medium bud and now am stuck with L.

I've been a "Mac guy" for 25 years. This is the "Apple way" - get used to it, or get a Windows-based sysetem, which is just NOT an option!

I have never liked the ear buds that Apple includes - they just don't fit me right, no matter the size. In spite of what I said above, I just don't get why they skimp on a relatively inexpensive accessory when they are already charging a premium for the excellent devices they provide for us to use.

[PG4G]

Originally Posted by wobegon

Hooey!

The original iPhone and iPhone 3G lack the fourth conductor/wiring required to adjust volume. What would be the point in Apple holding this functionality back? It's not a system selling feature. Where's the motive? Arbitrary punishment? They could make a good deal of money on existing iPhone 2G/3G users if all it took was a firmware update to enable volume control.

Of course they're going to say they're incompatible with past iPhones, they are. One of the bullet points on the box is 'volume control'. If people buy these for their original iPhone or iPhone 3G and they don't work as advertised, it's one more lawsuit for Apple.

Incorrect. The fourth connector is there, and is used for the microphone and middle button (only buttton on iPhone old headphones) - the same system is used for all three buttons (vol up / vol down / play-pause) and the microphone.

Check it out at iLounge.com and their extensive (and accurate) analysis.
This connector issue with 4 pins was the centre of the old video-out incompatibility issues.

Why lock them out? To clear a large backstock of old iPhone headphones and to make the iPod Touch 2G more compelling as a product. I still agree it's stupid, but you should research your facts.

As for my issue with their marketing, I have no problem with them saying it's incompatible. My issue was the lie they were told to use on customers that the microphone and centre button won't work at all.

[tekneeq53]

I just wished that apple would make some better earbuds that come with the Iphone. I have had the iphone 3G now I have the 3GS and both earphones have crapped out on me. The best earphones that i have found so far have been my bose earphones. Great quality and i can blast my music without having to worry about blowing out a speaker.

[freeny]

I splurged and got myself the high end Apple earbuds and found no real difference in sound quality. The rubber ball shaped buds do fit in my ear better but certainly not worth the price.