New headphone, mic options for late 2008 iPods
Along with the new iPods, Apple has released a new audio feature: recording. The newly released 4G Nano, 2G iPod touch, and revised iPod Classic 120GB all feature audio input. A new high quality, dual driver headphone set is being offered as well.
Unlike the iPhone, previous iPods lacked audio input on their headphone jack. The iPhone uses four conductors on its headphone jack: ground, stereo right, stereo left, and mic. This allows the iPhone to work with its headphones sporting an integrated mic (which doubles as a signal for track skipping).
On other iPods, the iPhone's headphones only function as regular headphones, with no working mic because the iPods lack a mic input connector on the headphone jack.
Prior to the iPhone, iPods used the fourth connector to export composite video via the iPod video output cables. This means all earlier models of iPods, including last year's 3G Nano, classic, and touch, will not work with headphone jack-based audio input.
All video-capable iPods support video output via the dock connector, as well as audio input, a feature taken advantage of by some third party voice recording devices using an external mic that attaches to the dock connector.
However, the latest crop of iPods now support the iPhone's headphones with integrated mic, allowing them to record audio without any bulky attachments. This should also potentially unlock other applications on the iPod touch, including WiFi VoIP for making audio calls over the Internet. Apple earlier said it would allow App Store programs to enable VoIP over WiFi, but not over the iPhone's EDGE or 3G service.
Apple also unveiled a new audio input option. In addition to the standard $29 pair of headphones with a mic like those that ship with the iPhone, there's now a premium $79 pair with independent woofer and tweeter drivers. Comparable dual driver headphones usually sell for $200 to $300, according to the company.
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. The new headphones are not listed as compatible with the iPhone, because it was not designed to adjust volume with the mic switch; the mic should still work and the headphones will work with any iPod or other standard headphone jack device.
Unlike the iPhone, previous iPods lacked audio input on their headphone jack. The iPhone uses four conductors on its headphone jack: ground, stereo right, stereo left, and mic. This allows the iPhone to work with its headphones sporting an integrated mic (which doubles as a signal for track skipping).
On other iPods, the iPhone's headphones only function as regular headphones, with no working mic because the iPods lack a mic input connector on the headphone jack.
Prior to the iPhone, iPods used the fourth connector to export composite video via the iPod video output cables. This means all earlier models of iPods, including last year's 3G Nano, classic, and touch, will not work with headphone jack-based audio input.
All video-capable iPods support video output via the dock connector, as well as audio input, a feature taken advantage of by some third party voice recording devices using an external mic that attaches to the dock connector.
However, the latest crop of iPods now support the iPhone's headphones with integrated mic, allowing them to record audio without any bulky attachments. This should also potentially unlock other applications on the iPod touch, including WiFi VoIP for making audio calls over the Internet. Apple earlier said it would allow App Store programs to enable VoIP over WiFi, but not over the iPhone's EDGE or 3G service.
Apple also unveiled a new audio input option. In addition to the standard $29 pair of headphones with a mic like those that ship with the iPhone, there's now a premium $79 pair with independent woofer and tweeter drivers. Comparable dual driver headphones usually sell for $200 to $300, according to the company.
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. The new headphones are not listed as compatible with the iPhone, because it was not designed to adjust volume with the mic switch; the mic should still work and the headphones will work with any iPod or other standard headphone jack device.
Comments
When are we going to see someone tear one of the touches down already?
The only thing that is a real question in my mind is if you can record while listening to music. Some might see this as contradictory but hey why not. Another use would be simultaneous record and play back which would be great for enhanced hearing devices.
Still it does seem like the Touch got neglected a bit. I really have to wonder if they have another model coming in a few months, otherwise I have this feeling that the will and desire to innovate is disappearing at Apple. Then again I'm a proponent of big steps as opposed to little ones.
Dave
When are we going to see someone tear one of the touches down already?
You meant the touches that were announced a 3.5 hours ago?
You meant the touches that were announced a 3.5 hours ago?
Yeah, they go on sale immediately. What are they waiting for?
I do note with some sadness that they don't have any screws at the bottom so it's going to be harder to replace the battery. But at $229 you have to say that this is a great value computer and pretty much disposable.
What would be nice is someone wrote a program that allowed you to plug in a USB hard disk. Then it would much more like a normal machine.
**crosses fingers**
Then again I suppose VoIP on an iPhone while in WiFi range would be exactly the same with the option to use it outside WiFi as a cell phone. My objection to the iPhone is more the principle of crazy pricing for exceeding your download quota (intended no doubt to encourage you to buy more than you need up front). ADSL contracts used to be like that here until some of the less sleazy operators switched to shaping (you get less bandwidth when you exceed your quota rather than being charged more).
For US readers: countries that are relatively isolated like Oz often have download limits because a high fraction of the national Internet cost is in long-haul international traffic. However, if many phone users have 3G, you'd expect that there would be a lot more domestic ecommerce so in time this sort of capped plan should disappear. And of course long-haul links are nowhere near as expensive as they were 20 years ago. Ripping off their clients? A telco? Never.
Time to sit back and contemplate ?
Still just earbuds, huh? Am I the only one whose ears won't hold earbuds? I might as well apply them to my cheeks and expect them to stay there.
Huh? These are in-ear headphones, not buds.
I sure hope the 2.1 software update allows these new headphones to be used with the iPhone.
**crosses fingers**
My guess is that it won't be 2.1 else they would have said something. I'm thinking it will be 2.1.x or 2.2 unless there is a hardware issue.
My guess is that it won't be 2.1 else they would have said something. I'm thinking it will be 2.1.x or 2.2 unless there is a hardware issue.
I don't see why these headphones wouldn't work with the iPhone out of the gate since that is where they will sell most of them and Apple doesn't like to have products that work with one item but not the other if it can help it and if it doesn't soil the sails of the other product.
My guess is that it won't be 2.1 else they would have said something. I'm thinking it will be 2.1.x or 2.2 unless there is a hardware issue.
The copy in the press release leads me to believe that these headphones use the same jack arrangement as the iPhone headphones, so they should work out of the box, no software needed.
Wondering if the availability of a mic will eventually enable these touches to act like VOIP phones?... (pure speculation on my part)
Now just restore the functionality of the camera connector and radio tuner and we'll have come full-circle.
I do note with some sadness that they don't have any screws at the bottom so it's going to be harder to replace the battery. But at $229 you have to say that this is a great value computer and pretty much disposable.
What would be nice is someone wrote a program that allowed you to plug in a USB hard disk. Then it would much more like a normal machine.
As long as Apple retains a dictatorial grip on it and picks and chooses every bit of code allowed to run on it, it's an appliance. A nice and interesting appliance, no doubt, but only a shadow of what it could be. Certainly not a general purpose computer or a "normal machine".
I sure hope the 2.1 software update allows these new headphones to be used with the iPhone.
**crosses fingers**
I agree. I would love to use these headphones with my iPhone. Better sound and volume control is killer.
Fingers crossed...
Wondering if the availability of a mic will eventually enable these touches to act like VOIP phones?... (pure speculation on my part)
There is already one VoIP app available. I've had a Skype In number since they became available so I'm waiting for that to happen, even though I use the phone very little.
So with the microphone and an iPod touch you could do VOIP. Hmm. I wonder if anyone will write an application. And if they ever fix the Bluetooth implementation then you could do it with a headset.
When are we going to see someone tear one of the touches down already?
It is coming out late 2008. I'm sure Apple is thinking VOIP as well and may have something by then. Imagine replacing your home phone with one of these new iPods. That would be nice.
Still it does seem like the Touch got neglected a bit. I really have to wonder if they have another model coming in a few months, otherwise I have this feeling that the will and desire to innovate is disappearing at Apple. Then again I'm a proponent of big steps as opposed to little ones.
Dave
I'm with you on the minor updates here. The inclusion of the Nike stuff in the touch is curious given that most runners that I see with iPods have shuffles or nanos clipped on. While beautiful and thin for what it is, the Touch would not be my first choice for an exercise buddy.
I'd like to see the big steps come more quickly, too. The big steps usually only come from disruptive technologies which Apple typically isn't in the business of producing. Instead, Apple is the master of squeezing the last bit of juice out of their tech. Once a product has been introduced, you won't see any radical changes/improvements from Apple for at least 3 years and more likely 5.
I agree. I would love to use these headphones with my iPhone. Better sound and volume control is killer.
Fingers crossed...
I would love this for the iPhone too, but for now it looks like it's not going to happen. Hopefully that will change with 2.1...
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA850?mco=MTcyODA3Mw
"The remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano (4th generation), iPod classic (120GB), and iPod touch (2nd generation). Audio is supported by all iPod models."