iPhone 7 News, Rumors: Next-Gen Apple Phone To Hit Shelves With No Headphone Jacks?
If these recent tech rumors turn out to be true, then the next iteration of the iPhone - the purported iPhone 7 - will be hitting the store shelves without this key audio component that has been present through all the other Apple phone models.
A report from Japanese tech website, Mac Otakara cited a "reliable source" who claimed to have gotten wind of the information saying that the Cupertino-based tech giant will be ditching the ubiquitous 3.5mm headphone jack and replace it with an "all-in-one" Lighting connector when the next-generation iPhone comes out.
The removal of the universal headphone jack is thought to provide the company with more freedom to make the new phone even thinner than what the current iPhone model (the iPhone 6s) already is, the site went on to stipulate.
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In line with this, the report also stated that users of the upcoming iOS devices will have to resort to using "Lightning-equipped EarPods" to gain access to the new audio system. This can also be used through third-party Bluetooth headphones. For those who want to keep using the old-style 3.5mm headphones, they may need some DAC (digital-to-audio converter) for that.
While a few may ditch the rumor as nothing but baseless claims, the report from MacRumors said that that Apple has been giving hints of Lighting-equipped wired headphones since last year. In fact, the Apple Watch maker has already introduced the new MFi (Made for iPhone) Program specifications in June 2014 allowing third-party manufacturers to make audio devices that would be compatible to iPhones or iPads with Lightning connectors.
As mentioned above, Apple would also seek to provide Lightning-equipped EarPods that comes bundled with the "iPhone 7."
This won't be the first time that the company will be introducing new technology features. Experts speculate that per the usual, the integration of the all-in-one Lightning connector will once again be met with reactions.
