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Apple announces two new sets of headphones

by Mat Lu Sep 9th 2008 at 11:30PM

Another interesting detail released in the excitement of the Let's Rock event: Apple's announcement of two new sets of headphones designed for the new iPods and their voice notes recording feature. The first set is similar the the present iPhone headset with a main button for play/plause and skipping control (in addition to the mic). A nice new feature, however, is the addition of two buttons for volume control.

The second set (pictured right) is a bit more exciting as it seems to represent Apple's attempt to compete with more high-end "canalphone" headsets from the likes of Etymotics, Shure, Ultimate Ears, etc. In addition to the mic and in-line controls of the other set, the buds on this one include two separate drivers (tweeter and woofer) as well as three sizes of silicone tips for sound isolation. We can only hope this hi-fi effort is more successful than the ill-fated iPod Hi-Fi.

Both sets are listed as compatible only with the new iPod classic, 4th gen nano, and 2nd gen touch. However, Infinite Loop has suggested that they will work with the iPhone excepting the volume controls which are not supported. The first set will be $29, while the in-ear set will run $79.

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Another interesting detail released in the excitement of the Let's Rock event: Apple's announcement of two new sets of headphones designed...
 

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Big John

I don't understand why these things wouldn't be compatible with the iPhone. Is this thing actually hardware-limited? I guess we need that six (or was it five?) pin connector from the old iPod Remotes back.

September 10 2008 at 10:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chadberg

Sad. I wish they would work with my iPod classic, or 5g. I'd like to go back to having some measure of control on the cord. I miss the accessory port that I used to be able to plug the apple remote into, back on the 3g and 4g units.

Now Apple needs to get on putting bluetooth into the iPods. Heck, they can put the Nike kit in there. Is it really so bad to want to play my iPod through the car system, or sync with the laptop wirelessly?

September 10 2008 at 9:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AJ

Wouldn't it be nice if this could actually work with the 1st gen iPod Touch? It doesn't have the outside volume controls and I was going to buy this for that reason, but guess what! It won't work with anything outside what was announced today, when I'm sure a simple firmware update will suffice.

September 10 2008 at 9:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Toph

I don't know about you guys but my hands reach my pockets just fine. Once there my iPhone conveniently has volume controls on the side. I can even manage to change the volume while listening to music, riding my bike and thinking in my brain too! It's incredible. Maybe I'm the only one. :) :)

September 10 2008 at 6:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Toph's comment
Marco

Maybe the new iPhone 2.1 update will enable the volume controls on the headsets as well.
I certainly hope so, because that is desperately lacking!

September 10 2008 at 3:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Marco's comment
Ryan Schmidt

I agree! I am hoping they are holding off announcing that... but at the same time, why hold off announcing that? Apple has been pissing me off lately.

September 10 2008 at 7:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Galley

If they do, I'll be the first in line.

September 10 2008 at 7:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
J.G.

Oh no, I just bought something, and Apple came out with something better. They better support me or I'll bitch and whine on TUAW!!!!!!!!!

September 10 2008 at 3:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MIchael

I'd love to find out that these headphones work with my current ipod touch...

September 10 2008 at 2:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jash Sayani

Nice. Though $80 is a bit too much for headphones....

September 10 2008 at 2:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Jash Sayani's comment
StrikerObi

$80 is a STEAL for headphones with both a woofer and tweeter in them. Headphones like that usually run $300+

September 10 2008 at 9:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pep

The fact that some idiot pays $300 for a pair of headphones does not mean that $80 is cheap. IMHO anything more that $30 for ANY headphones is way too much. Can you appreciate music quality so much on them (especially on the go) so as to spend that kind of money? Or is it a symbol of status? "Look, I'm so frigging rich I can waste $100 on $20 headphones."

September 11 2008 at 11:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hazmat

Here's hoping the canal phones are better quality than their last effort a few years back. After 3 sets blowing out the right bud after a couple of days of use (75% volume, no eq) I gave up returning them. (In NZ, replacements took 3-4 weeks)

September 10 2008 at 1:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan

Based on Apple's product page, it looks like the physical 3.5mm connector is the same 4-lead design as the one for the original iPhone. Given that, shouldn't volume control be possible for iPhones with a software update of some kind?

September 10 2008 at 1:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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