Update: The original photo displayed in the article was indeed Photoshopped. However, there are other images of Lightning EarPod cables circling the web of unknown origin, as shown above. It just highlights however that images of this ilk are easily faked.
Although we are expecting a myriad of new announcements later today at Apple’s iPhone SE + more media event, Lightning EarPods were not thought to be on the cards. Images of Lightning-equipped EarPods surfaced on Chinese media today, refuelling rumors that the iPhone 7 will drop the 3.5mm headphone jack. It would make sense, then, that Apple would ship new earbuds in the box that connect to the phone over Lightning.
There is nothing else apparently different, aside from the change of port. The EarPods look visually identical otherwise. If there are other changes in the update, such as changes to sound quality, they aren’t reflected in the product’s physical appearance.
Unfortunately, it is hard to take much validity from this photo as something like this could be illegitimate for many reasons. Due to the number of counterfeit EarPods on the market, it is possible this image shows Lightning EarPods from an unofficial manufacturer.
We do not expect the Lightning EarPods to come bundled with the soon-to-be-unveiled 4-inch iPhone SE, as that device effectively mirrors the appearance of an iPhone 5s … including the 3.5mm headphone jack.
That being said, there is a chance that Apple would start shipping Lightning EarPods in advance of the iPhone 7 dropping the port. Perhaps Apple could release the new EarPods soon, if not today.
Previous headline image, now revealed as fake:
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real
The rightmost section of cable is where they photoshopped a charging cable to some headphones, and not terribly well. Doesn’t look much to worry about guise.
no, just no.
Looks legit. By the way it should read “a myriad new announcements” rather than “a myriad of…”
In English, I understand ‘myriad’ can be used as a noun or adjective. So ‘myriad of’ is okay.
It’s a peculiar case and to some sounds wrong so ‘myriad of’ is fairly common. It’s origin is 10,000, so you wouldn’t say “10,000 of”.
Looks like either is acceptable but yours should possibly say “expecting myriads of new announcements”
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/myriad
“Irregardless” is also correct use of the English language. Not that I want to make a point, but thought it was relevant.
Wrong. Do you even understand the English language?
Heil the death of jack.
Let’s start digging the sim card’s grave as well!!!
The SIM card’s grave was dug so long ago it had a foot of standing water and a family of frogs living in it.
As long as the sim card is being used en masse at it is today, it ain’t dead.
That’s what they said about Flash.
Lol. Yeah, fully agree. The stinking SIM card really has no place in the world anymore. Do it all in software and be done with it. Easier for the FBI to track their targets as well. /s
Bring on the e-sim (http://9to5mac.com/2015/07/16/apple-joins-e-sim-talks/)
Can we replace it with a MicroSD card slot?
Don’t get the dislike of the SIM card. Makes it easy to switch phones without having to notify/call in/whatever. Makes it easy to switch carriers, just swap out the card, which is very useful when going prepaid. If you don’t need those features, just forget that there’s a SIM card installed. Jonny Ive doesn’t like them because he can’t shave a few more mm off the thickness, hardly a reason to get rid of them.
What I don’t like about SIM cards is that they can be locked down to a specific phone, and phones can be locked to a specific card. Thus negating any of the above features. Anything that gives even more control of my phone to the carriers is a bad thing.
People dislike it because all of its functions can be done in software. There is no need for the hardware to exist.
switching network could be done on the software side. go into settings, carrier and switch to one of whatever is available around you. each option would give you a registration/login page where you sign in and use a personal phone number. eliminates sims, and provides potential for using more than 2 sims simultaneously like some phones currently support as the maximum.
Not again!
Where’s the rumour that the SE doesn’t have lightning EarPods?
Where do he rumours show the SE has a 3.5mm headphone jack?
Would be nice improvement alongside headphone, higher bitrate music, iTunes refresh etc.
If that’s the only improvement they make to the earpods, then I’m cool with that. The area where the cord meets the headphone jack is the first part to break on me after normal usage. I buy replacements about once a year because of it.
Right, because the Lightning connector has been so reliable. /s
I’ve yet to have one last me just one year, whereas my original in-wear headphones are still working.
This is terrible. Apple’s headphones does not fit my ears at all and sound terrible compared to the ones I use.
So your choice will be listen to you EarPods or charge your phone? The way these are explained leads me to believe we are missing something
New super-thin iPods today then?
So… has anybody thought about where they are gonna have to put the A/D converter in the line since the earpods are analog and the lightening cable is digital? Any thoughts as to how that would change the cost of these?
I’d say this is completely fake as the EarPods seem way too small to hold the required DAC in them. Plus Apple would sorta need to upgrade their entire iTunes catalogue to 24bit audio. Seems unlikely. Besides, what about all the music people have uploaded themselves?
Fake! If Apple do go ahead with this, and don’t provide Bluetooth EarPods Bundled with the iPhone 7 im definitely moving over to Samsung. Getting sick of Apple telling its customers on how it should be and how it shouldn’t be.
Apple needs to start listening to its customers. So far it hasn’t especially with its battery life on iPhones. Having to charge my iPhone 6 twice a day now. Ridiculous when compared to the rest of the market!
I don’t remember Apple ever asking me or anyone if they wanted an iPhone. Let’s face it, for a company like Apple, the average consumer isn’t your best source for ideas. Best leave them to Yelp.
The original photo didn’t even have the play/stop/volume controls, they could have at least tried harder with their crappy Photoshop. As for wireless, my guess is it’s not happening. With some of the case leaks it looks like headphones will be lightening and charging will be with a smart connector. There was a case leak that should a smart connector cutout. If this is true it would solve the issue of listening and charging at the same time.
Both images are fakes. In the first image there are no volume controls and no obvious space accounting for the presence of a DAC. In the second, the scale of the lightning connector doesn’t match the pods – conceivably they could fit a DAC into the volume controller.
The leaked iPhone SE 16GB chinese packaging photo had EarPods listed (in English) in the box contents. FYI.
So, now you’re gonna need a special power adaptor to listen to music while your charge your phone.. seems really, Really stupid!