Filip Novotny Apple today expanded the specifications of its Made for iPhone certification program, specifically the section dedicated to audio accessories. Manufacturers will be able to use not only the classic 3,5mm audio input, but also the Lightning port as a connection for headphones. This change could bring certain benefits to users, but probably only in the longer term.
Updating the MFi program will primarily bring better sound quality. The headphones will be able to receive digital lossless stereo sound with 48kHz sampling from Apple devices via Lightning, and also send 48kHz mono sound. This means that with the upcoming update, headphones with a microphone or even separate microphones will also be able to use the modern connection.
The new lightning accessory will still retain the remote control option for switching songs and answering calls. In addition to these basic buttons, manufacturers can also add buttons to launch specific applications, such as various streaming music services. If a specific accessory were also built for one particular application, it would start automatically after connecting the peripheral.
Another novelty will be the ability to power iOS devices from headphones or vice versa. For example, headphones with active noise cancellation could do without a battery, as they will be powered by the iPhone or iPad itself. If, on the other hand, the manufacturer decided to keep the battery in its device, Apple would partially charge the device with a low battery from it.
Replacing the 3,5mm jack sounds like an interesting idea that could further differentiate Apple products from the competition. However, the question remains whether such a move would really bring such benefits as it may seem at first glance. For example, a higher quality of reproduction is commendable, but it is meaningless if the quality of the recording is not increased at the same time. At the same time, music from iTunes still remains at the lossy 256kb AAC, and the transition to Lightning is irrelevant in this regard. On the other hand, the recent acquisition of Beats has brought a number of experienced managers and sound engineers to Apple, and the Californian firm may still surprise in the future. So we might be playing music via Lightning for a completely different, as yet unknown, reason.
Just not that. As I know Apple, they will remove the jack and I will have to buy an overpriced beatsShit with their connector!
On the iPhone (of course, not only, but I have no other experience), I really like the fact that I only need a single pair of headphones for my phone and NTB with a combined jack when I travel.
I used to have this from HTC... that it required a special connector for headphones, so either buy from them or reducer... both were enough for mushrooms... also when I wanted to charge from the cigarette lighter it was impossible to listen to music... although they would get a bit of space, but personally I don't like the idea very much .. in addition, the question is to what extent the human ear can recognize the difference
Again, I think that in the future, a single connector for headphones and charging, data transfer, etc. could be introduced for all phones and devices... a new standard. Something like USB is today.