Apple finally taking orders for new in-ear headphones

[AppleInsider]

Apple this week began accepting orders for a pair of new headphone options designed for iPods, nearly three months after the accessories were first announced at a September media event.

The Apple online store is now reflecting availability of the $79 Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic within 7-10 business days, while the $29 Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic carry a 3-4 week wait, and thus may not ship in time for the holidays.

At $79, the premium headphones include independent woofer and tweeter drivers, which should stand up to comparable dual driver headphones that usually sell for three or four times as much, according to Apple.

"They offer pro audio performance and impressive sound isolation, and convenient buttons let you adjust the volume and control music and video playback," the company says.

Meanwhile, the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic are described as having "all the performance and comfort of the acclaimed Apple iPod Earphones plus convenient buttons that let you adjust volume and control music and video playback."

One of the biggest draws of the new headphones is their ability to facilitate audio recording on the latest generation of iPods without any bulky attachments. Unlike previous generation iPods, the models introduced in September -- the fourth-gen iPod nano, second-gen iPod touch, and revised iPod Classic 120GB -- all feature audio input through the fourth connector of the headphone jack like the iPhone.



While the new premium headphones sport volume controls -- presumably using the same mic signal to adjust volume as the iPhone's mic uses to switch songs or accept incoming calls -- they are not listed as compatible with the iPhone because it was not designed to adjust volume with the mic switch. On the other hand, the mic should still work and the headphones will work with any iPod or other standard headphone jack device.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[noirdesir]

Will the click/double-click/triple-click work with the iPhone?

[mrparet]

Originally Posted by noirdesir

Will the click/double-click/triple-click work with the iPhone?

The new headphones are not compatible with the iPhone according to Apple's website.

[macuser333]

That is really disappointing that the iPhone is not supported. I was pretty stoked to use these as my go everywhere headphones with my iPhone. I guess I will have to wait.........

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by macuser333

That is really disappointing that the iPhone is not supported. I was pretty stoked to use these as my go everywhere headphones with my iPhone. I guess I will have to wait.........

It seems like a major oversight. I wonder if they will make the headphones compatible with the suspected iPhone capacity bump coming in early 2009, or wait until the suspected redesign coming in the Summer.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by mrparet

The new headphones are not compatible with the iPhone according to Apple's website.

This came up before, I think the problem is the volume control buttons. The play/pause/skip button should still work. Before buying one, I suggest trying it at the Apple store if they have a display unit.

I would expect the next revision of the iPhone would offer full compatibility.

[electronspeeder]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

This came up before, I think the problem is the volume control buttons. The play/pause/skip button should still work. Before buying one, I suggest trying it at the Apple store if they have a display unit.

This better be the case!! If not I would consider this a big oversight by Apple. I *really* want a pair for my 2.5G iPhone.

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by noirdesir

Will the click/double-click/triple-click work with the iPhone?

We addressed this in the article to the best of our knowledge, please read above. We'll have an exact answer for you guys once our headphones ship and we can properly review them.

Best,

K

[paxman]

Originally Posted by solipsism

... the suspected iPhone capacity bump coming in early 2009...

WHAT? Please elaborate. You may just have deprived me of my xmas present!

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by electronspeeder

This better be the case!!

Looking at Apple's history, that is most likely the case. Apple doesn't advertise "mostly compatible" with their products,

I suspect that once Apple updates the iPhone HW, they will also start including the volume control earbud headphones as standard with the iPhone.

PS: I am looking forward to the upcoming sound tests, but doubt that Apple is shipping anything extraordinary at the $79 price-point.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by paxman

WHAT? Please elaborate. You may just have deprived me of my xmas present!

Their isn't much of a precedence since the iPhone is still new, but so far in its history we have a 4 and 8GB model being released in June 2007, then the 4GB being dropped, then a 16GB model being introduced in February 2008, about 6 months later, with no other changes to the design.

Then about 6 months later, in July 2008, the 3G iPhone was introduced with a new case and internal HW, but with the same Flash capacity. If we follow the same pattern, Apple will introduce a 32GB model in early 2009 to match the current iPod Touch capacity, but will not change anything else (major) on the device. Similar to the tick-tock method used by Intel.

Until we get some more cycles or official word from Apple (which won't happen) it's just a hypothesis.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Thanks - you just started another batch of iPhone whines.

I'm not sure what their is to whine about if Apple gives us an update every 6 months or so. At least the whiners give you an outlet to complain about them.

[segastyle]

these could also possibly be made fully compatible with a software update.

[RichL]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Do iPhone users ever not whine??

I swear to god that the Internet was a friendlier, happier place before the iPhone was announced.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by segastyle

these could also possibly be made fully compatible with a software update.

While I hope this is true, I would think that if it were that simple the iPhone would have been included in the compatibility list and the have been updated by v2.2. I can't see a strategic move where Apple would want to not allow the millions of the iPhone users to not by their headphones with the volume controls.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Do you think maybe now the whines will cease? Face it- you're just not getting it. It will be a reason for you all to buy next summer's 3G/3Gen.

I don't see how your two statements fit together. What does some people whining and buying new product in the future have to do with each other. Some people are just never happy. I am quite happy with my iPhone but will surely buy a new one next summer. I may even buy a new one before that if they up the capacity and add volume control support to the headphones.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

And if that volume contriol drains you battery and interferes with your reception- no complaints- right?

If the addition of x takes away from y then z will be occur. That is standard. Are you actually stating that Apple shouldn't update their products because someone might complain? What problem do you have with a volume control being on a pair of headphones? If people are complaining that the iPhone isn't supported, why does it make a difference if other complain that it is supported in the future? Do you really think that a battery drain could occur from the inclusion of HW that will register more than the pause/play button over the mic line?

[noirdesir]

Originally Posted by Kasper

We addressed this in the article to the best of our knowledge, please read above.

You stated that the volume control will not work on iPhones and said that is presumably the reason why they are listed as not compatible. You might have implied that the double-click should work or might have implied that you unfortunately don't know whether the double-click will work. As I understood it, if you had known you would have clarified that point, so that was a question directed at everybody else.

[PXT]

Originally Posted by macuser333

That is really disappointing that the iPhone is not supported. I was pretty stoked to use these as my go everywhere headphones with my iPhone. I guess I will have to wait.........

I wanted this too. I like the convenience of the little switch, but those standard earbuds are for kids' toys, not music.

[bbatsell]

Originally Posted by segastyle

these could also possibly be made fully compatible with a software update.

That's a pretty hefty assumption. In fact, I would bet that it cannot — the iPhone is lacking the hardware to interpret the volume control signals in the same circuitry that was only designed initially to interpret audio input.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Excuse me- What makes you feel that the iPhone has to have these headphones if Apple specifically has already said NO? If you want them that bad- switch to another phone, buy an iPod Touch and then you can use them. Please- stop the whinning and complaining already.

1) It makes good business sense to include them.

2) You are the only one complaining here.

[MatNeh]

Ok, not to take this topic off-topic from its off-topicness, but...

Any ideas if these headphones will be available from the retail store sooner than if you place an order online?

[Tofino]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Do iPhone users ever not whine??

don't whine about the whining...

[8CoreWhore]

Any possibility the iPhone can be made compatible (volume control) with a software update - or is it a hardware issue? I like how these are fully compatible with the new MacBook/Pro. Very nice.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

You're just not getting them - Get Over IT!

I already ordered them, so as usual you are incorrect.

PS: Of all the forums I frequent and all the people I interact with on a daily basis I have never engaged anyone who complains as much and is as pessimistic as you. I really wonder what makes you tick.

[segastyle]

Originally Posted by bbatsell

That's a pretty hefty assumption. In fact, I would bet that it cannot — the iPhone is lacking the hardware to interpret the volume control signals in the same circuitry that was only designed initially to interpret audio input.

you're also making an assumption. no one has officially stated that the iphone is lacking any specific hardware for this. for all we know the only difference is the software required to recognize the new specific inputs.

you could very well be right, but at this point i don't think anyone knows. there are currently other headphone adapters out there for the iphone which allow for volume adjustment. whether or not that do this in the same manner as the new in-ear headphones, i don't know.

from this previous appleinsider posting, we have this info though:

"the new touch now supports audio input via the headphone jack using the same four conductor headphone port as the iPhone"

[Kolchak]

I'll believe these sound quality claims when I hear it. Apple headphones have never been renowned for their sound quality. Somehow, I don't think I'll be trading my V-Moda Bass Freqs for these.

[paxman]

Originally Posted by solipsism

If we follow the same pattern, Apple will introduce a 32GB model in early 2009 to match the current iPod Touch capacity, but will not change anything else (major) on the device. Similar to the tick-tock method used by Intel.

Until we get some more cycles or official word from Apple (which won't happen) it's just a hypothesis.

Hypothesis or not, you have still ruined my xmas present. How can I buy a 8 gb when in a month or two I can get a 16gb for the same price, or near? Talking of solid state memory, are the drives used in an iPhone / Touch faster, or in other ways better than SD memory? I mean, you can now buy 16 or 32 gb SD cards for next to nought so it would seem clever to include an sd, or micro sd slot on the iPhone / Touch, would it not?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by segastyle

you could very well be right, but at this point i don't think anyone knows. there are currently other headphone adapters out there for the iphone which allow for volume adjustment. whether or not that do this in the same manner as the new in-ear headphones, i don't know.

Does it seem logical that Apple would have gone since the August announcement without upgrading the software in the iPhone to include volume control signals? This seems like it would be a very simple software inclusion if it were just software. You are correct that we don't know, but we can surmise that it most likely does require new HW.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by paxman

Hypothesis or not, you have still ruined my xmas present.

I hope your comments are hyperbolic for comedic effect. If Apple's release schedule bothers you then get Apple gift certificates instead which you then hold until Apple lowers the price/ups the capacity.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I already ordered them, so as usual you are incorrect.

PS: Of all the forums I frequent and all the people I interact with on a daily basis I have never engaged anyone who complains as much and is as pessimistic as you. I really wonder what makes you tick.

He's actually a bear and taunting him will make him very upset.

[paxman]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I hope your comments are hyperbolic for comedic effect. If Apple's release schedule bothers you then get Apple gift certificates instead which you then hold until Apple lowers the price/ups the capacity.

Indeed. Your Apple release schedule insights and predictions will not have any impact one way or the other on my merriment. I guess your Gift Card idea is an option but I don't generally like gift cards - receiving or giving. Gift cards don't satisfy my need for instant gratification.

[bigmc6000]

Well, there go the headphones off my Christmas wishlist - what a disappointment... I really wanted the volume control on the headphones...

[Abster2core]

As Apple states in its iPhone Safety Guide:

Driving and Riding Safely
Use of iPhone alone or with headphones (even if used only in one ear) while driving
a vehicle or riding a bicycle is not recommended and is illegal in some areas.

Certainly it would seem prudent for Apple not to even suggest that the new headsets be intended for use in the iPhone. In particular, the in-ear construction totally blocks external sounds, unlike the current ear phones. The liabilities could be onerous.

Obviously, one could claim that they would never drive with using the headphones in both ears. However, just walking out of your home with them on, you put yourself in jeopardy if you are deemed liable for causing an accident while wearing headsets.

Sounds scary doesn't it. However, even the "USA Track & Field", the national governing body for running, has banned the use of headphones and portable audio players like iPods at its official races, "basically (because of) an insurance issue.

[robb01]

Going to order soon!


__________________

[mactoid]

Originally Posted by Tofino

don't whine about the whining...

Oh man!!! I just hate it when people whine about the whining. Why can't people just not whine about whining and just let the whiners be?????? PUUULLLLEEASSEE??????

[davey-nb]

Well honestly, this is a product not even made for the iPhone.
It's made for the iPod touch and the Nano.
Apple says it does not support the iPhone with this product.
What is the big surprise?
It will turn the touch into a Skype phone.
That is the big news.

[nowhereman]

here is the Apple support doc on the "compatibility" issue with the iPhone

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3310

[noirdesir]

Originally Posted by nowhereman

here is the Apple support doc on the "compatibility" issue with the iPhone

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3310

Thanks.
(You beat me by five minutes with posting this link.)

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by RichL

I swear to god that the Internet was a friendlier, happier place before the iPhone was announced.

As an iPhone user, I am here to whine about the fact that you did not capitalize the "g."