Apple has unveiled the new iPhone 7, having made the phone water resistant for the first time and removed the headphone jack. The iPhone 7 offers Bluetooth too, so if you want to keep the Lightning port free for charging, there’s nothing to stop you using a regular pair of Bluetooth headphones. They are the same as the EarPods (headphones in normal speak) that Apple has used on its previous iPhone, except that the wire has a Lightning connector on the end.
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Apple, describing its own decision as “courageous”, has dumped the port entirely and gone with their own proprietary lightning port for headphones – relying on a supplied adaptor or wireless technology.
“It could be a first step for Apple making this completely wireless, and maybe next year a new iPhone with wireless charging”, the analyst said.
With AirPods, setting up and using wireless headphones has never been easier.
Nearly six out of ten of all headphone sales at John Lewis are now wireless models, compared to just 21 per cent past year. While Apple arrogantly dismissed its move as “courageous” on stage, it didn’t answer a key scenario for those who want to play music through headphones and charge the iPhone at the same time.
The AirPods including charging case will be available for Dollars 159 beginning in late October.
The new phones comes with a 12-megapixel camera which includes optical image stabilisation, a larger aperture and 6-element lens. Just open the charging case near your iPhone and with a simple tap, AirPods are immediately set up with all the devices signed into your iCloud account, including your iPad and Mac.
Katrina Mills, buyer for audio and smart home, at John Lewis said: “Last night’s announcement will drive the biggest sales in wireless headphones yet”.
The Apple AirPods do not come in the box.
“Smartphone advancements are slowing down as the market is maturing, so minor things like look and feel get more attention”, O’Donnell said, noting that Apple spent several minutes of its presentation extolling the virtues of an optional “jet black” finish for the new phones.
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Because the ultralow-power W1 chip manages battery life so well, AirPods deliver an industry-leading 5 hours of listening time on one charge. Apple doesn’t appear to have additional adapters ready for this, and the only option available is the existing $49 lightning dock.
