What’s worse than a dongle? (no dongle)

[Mike Mercury]

Phone 2018: cranking up the hostility toward users of wired headphones

https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/13/1...ple-event-2018

Apple’s iPhone launch event yesterday was so full of good news that the company apparently couldn’t find the time to disclose a couple of less happy developments in its product range. Firstly, the three-year-old iPhone 6S and two-year-old iPhone SE models are being discontinued, which is significant because they were the last remaining iPhones with headphone jacks that Apple was selling. Secondly and relatedly, the Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter that Apple used to ship in the box with its iPhones is now gone.

Whether you’re buying an iPhone XS, XR, 8, or 7, from today you will no longer have a direct way to connect your wired headphones to your shiny new device. The dongle that previously came free in the box is now only available as an additional $9 purchase. That means you can spend as much as $1,449 (on an iPhone XS Max with 512GB of storage) and then still need to hand Apple more money to keep compatibility with your existing headphones. And this is just one of an increasing number of upsells that risk upsetting the goodwill of the company’s most loyal customers.

Apple is betting on the majority of new iPhone buyers shrugging off the dongle’s omission and either using the provided Lightning-connected EarPods or some wireless alternative. If this situation nudges you into buying a pair of AirPods, the company will no doubt be happy to oblige. In the two years since Apple removed the headphone jack from its flagship iPhones, most of its users have adapted in some fashion and carried on with their lives. Now Apple is making that adaptation harder by literally depriving us of the adapter.

There’s an argument to be made, from Apple’s perspective, that if most people aren’t using the audio dongle, putting one in the box with every iPhone is environmentally wasteful.

Apple's spec sheet:
- Fast charging (if you buy an extra accessory)
- Wireless charging (if you buy an extra accessory)
- Headphone compatibility (if you buy an extra accessory)

But the environmentally conscious reasoning only stretches so far. Apple’s so gung ho about the convenience of wireless audio that it conveniently overlooks the drastic difference in lifespan between wired analog headphones and wireless digital ones. There used to be a time when you could buy a good pair of Sennheiser cans and go a full decade before wearing them out and needing to replace them. The wireless alternatives today — most of them fit with batteries the user can’t service — will hit their age of replacement much sooner. Built-in obsolescence is an old accusation to level at the tech industry, but it’s hard to see how Apple and today’s wireless headphone makers can avoid the charge.

he iPhone is increasingly becoming a luxury item, with the cheapest member of Apple’s latest smartphone generation costing $749. But the process of buying and owning an iPhone is, at the same time, becoming less luxurious. Instead of paying one big fee up front and getting a bunch of perks as a result — the traditional luxury model, as you might experience with a first-class air ticket — the iPhone buyer is today confronted with both the inflated initial cost and a series of subsequent lacerations to their wallet. The introduction of the iPhone X last year was accompanied by an increase in repair costs, and yesterday’s iPhone XS launch came with an update on increasing battery replacement costs. AppleCare+, Apple’s extended warranty program that can save you from some of these expenditures, is also not cheap.

Apple has always thrived on its ability to surprise and delight its customers. Its products have never been cheap, but they’ve usually delivered value for the money. But in 2018, as the company endeavors to squeeze every last bit of revenue from every user, the headphone dongle’s absence is more than a mere annoyance. It’s a signal of Apple’s willingness to put profit first, at the cost of the customer experience.

[Rob]

Will be placing my order tomorrow for the new Xs max 512 for myself as well as for my wife

Guess I need to call my Mom too to see if she wants the new one as well.

[Cybercowboy]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

Will be placing my order tomorrow for the new Xs max 512 for myself as well as for my wife

Guess I need to call my Mom too to see if she wants the new one as well.

My iPhone X has 64 GB and 50.13 GB available.

Also I've never used the dongle thing, forgot I even had it. I've used the lightning EarPods about 20 times total in the last 9 months. For me a phone is basically a texting/browsing/app device. I don't listen to music on it hardly ever, and if I want to watch a movie or something my iPad is much better suited for that.

[mrvette]

Wife had a hand size cphone, and a notebook size screen something also.....I stick with my flip phone, so old it has a dial on it.....

when peering at a large portable screen, I can't see shit, outside just looks black need find GREAT shade or inside to see it....cars are only so-so

I gave up on music listening long ago.....wife wants to get me a hand size cphone....I really don't want one, not enough advantages to overcome the change inertia, and with disadvantages....hell with it....too large to carry on my hip, seat belts, etc.... put it in my front pocket, can't reach it while setting down, and like my wife, get up, walk 2 steps and the damn thing goes off....left behind on the table/armchair/etc.....

[Sea Six]

I have used the Bluetooth headsets that hang around your neck for about two years with my iPhone 6 Plus. I wear a set out about once per year.

Very convenient to receive and send texts by voice while driving or otherwise working.

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by mrvette

Wife had a hand size cphone, and a notebook size screen something also.....I stick with my flip "Nokia" phone

[Rob]

Originally Posted by Cybercowboy

My iPhone X has 64 GB and 50.13 GB available.

Also I've never used the dongle thing, forgot I even had it. I've used the lightning EarPods about 20 times total in the last 9 months. For me a phone is basically a texting/browsing/app device. I don't listen to music on it hardly ever, and if I want to watch a movie or something my iPad is much better suited for that.

We both have the 8+ 256G but I have everyones phones backing up to the cloud so I still have 200G free. I just like having the space in case I cannot backup for a while when on international trips or places with limited signal.

All the music is done through our Spotify accounts.

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

Sammy Rugby for me, same thing.....

[Mike Mercury]