I may be viewed as the latter. I've never owned an iDevice. I've had phones, mp3 players, laptops, and tablet PC's before Apple put an "i" in front of them and gave them a steep price tag. Personally, I've found features or customization elsewhere that was more suited to my tastes, needs, preference and budget. However I respect other folks choice in choosing. I realize that for some, the safe-space of Apple's proprietary environment is perfect for some folks. I know that Apple, Samsung, LG, HTC and others all make good, reliable products that people will enjoy. (For those laughing about my mention of Samsung and the issues with the Note 7; all these companies have had some PR nightmares)
My observation on the iPhone 7 is on their recent structural change. Much like everyone else: there are improvements to screen, battery, processor, etc. It still comes in in the stock configurations, etc. The intriguing thing that their spin doctors are working over is their decision to omit the 3.5mm jack.
In layman's terms, the 3.5mm jack is the headphone (or mini) jack most devices have. Apple's spin on this is that the port is obsolete, and that it is a push toward wireless. They give the courtesy of providing a (proprietary) lightning to mini adapter in with the iPhone 7 to allow users to use their headphones through the device's one port.
I've read some critiques on this. I've also read the critiques of the critiques. I understand the notion of freeing up a little internal real estate inside the devices, but overall I'm left to scratch my head at the decision making. A few observations:
- You cannot simultaneously charge the device and use standard headphones/earpieces. I'm sure aftermarket folks will create some sort of splitter, or maybe Apple will re-think it like their antenna gaffe.
- Regarding the first point, as Apple has yet to implement wireless charging, this doubles down on the lightning port's usage
- Adding an additional connector (lightning to mini) creates an added point of signal/quality loss. Whether or not one is an audiophile, this is just physics at play.
- This creates an additional potential point of failure. A standard device has the jack, plug, cord and speakers as potential fault points. This adds another jack, plug and cable to the mix.
- This increases replacement cost. One adapter may be included. However, with loss, or breakage, the $9 (direct from Apple) tag adds on to the cost of replacement headphones
- Regarding the "push" toward wireless; this puts an additional purchase on the end user, with the Apple wireless buds tacking on $160 more.
- Wireless opens up some issues with regard to signal loss and congestion.
- Wireless also opens up some security issues
I have a harder time with the inability to multitask the Lightning port. This may be more or less of an inconvenience for different people.
I see the liabilities and limitations of wireless as being significant and unaddressed. Apple has created what is seen to be a "safe space" for users. There is the incorrect assumption that the devices are immune to viruses. There is also the social engineering (some mistakenly refer to as "hacking") which has compromised many.
Being fair, a lot of users (on all platforms) are technologically ignorant to some degree. Things like leaving the default router password, an unsecured hot spot, low level security, blind trust, etc can put a device and more at risk. Honestly, these are things that many users don't give consideration.
Wireless congestion will be an interesting thing to observe. I can see that and interference being an inconvenience, though more dependent upon surroundings.
I'm scratching my head on Apple's move. For me, it really doesn't affect any of my decision making. To a degree it affects some of my recommendations. I don't think this will become an industry-wide move. I think it may further divide fans of each camp,
