Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family, Peripherals, iPhone
Apple announces two new sets of headphones
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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Stephen said 1:19AM on 9-10-2008
So...do the new earbuds with the mic and volume control come packaged with the 2nd Gen iTouches?
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Ram said 11:46PM on 9-09-2008
Why can't Apple release a good headphone set for iPhone as well, that has mic, skip forward/backward and volume control buttons? The one that comes with iPhone sucks - and there is no other decent headphone!
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Blaktornado said 7:53AM on 9-10-2008
Because the majority of people who buy iPods don't give a crap about the iPhone. Yes, the Apple nerds do but most people won't seriously look into the iPhone, just because of it's sheer price.
It's a niche device, whereas the iPod isn't.
Phil said 9:04AM on 9-10-2008
@ Blaktornado
The iphone is a niche device??? That niche device has taken a pretty significant marketshare since it's introduction just over a year ago.
sweetblue said 9:19AM on 9-10-2008
@ blacktornado
iPhone: a niche device. Hmm.
So glad you speak for the majority of iPod owners. Brilliant.
worldcusa said 11:46PM on 9-09-2008
Do we think the jack will fit in the old iphones?
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Stephen Lang said 11:53PM on 9-09-2008
Does anyone know if the new headphones with mic and controls come with the new Nano or Touch?
I guess it probably doesn't, if they are promoting it as a separate item for $29 (that is only fully compatible with the new iPods.)
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Todd said 11:57PM on 9-09-2008
It's sad that they are not 100% compatible with the iPhone.
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sdreamer said 12:27AM on 9-10-2008
Think they I read on gizmodo that the new headphones don't come with the package, which is rather lame because it's the same price as standard headphones, $29.99. Then again this wasn't officially announced, so I guess there's a pretty good chance they're mistaken, and they're included. Not sure why they wouldn't include something like that, the consumer would never know to order that headphone set with the mic in it if it wasn't bundled in the first place.
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YeeDiddy said 12:26AM on 9-10-2008
booooooooooo apple for not showing iPhone owners the love. I've been waiting for a >$100 solution to the OEM headset and have found nothing of note. I'm on my second set of Vibe Duos and although they sound great, they get an F for day to day usability - in other words, they're a pain to use.
Guess I'll have to settle for the Shure se102mpa - whenever those are released.
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Rocketscientist said 12:29AM on 9-10-2008
Is anyone also thinking Skype on iPod touch?
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Dewey said 1:12AM on 9-10-2008
Here's to hoping they work with the first gen touch. Any reason they shouldn't?
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PSM said 12:40AM on 9-10-2008
The volume controls better be able to work with the iPhone. That would be very shortsighted of them to have just released the 3G without hardware support for this INCREDIBLY OBVIOUS feature that should have at least been on the drawing board from the very first iPhone.
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Ryan said 1:03AM on 9-10-2008
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?
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Hazmat said 1:12AM on 9-10-2008
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)
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Jash Sayani said 2:45AM on 9-10-2008
Nice. Though $80 is a bit too much for headphones....
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Mike said 9:18AM on 9-10-2008
$80 is a STEAL for headphones with both a woofer and tweeter in them. Headphones like that usually run $300+
Pep said 11:41AM on 9-11-2008
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."
Just_a_guy said 2:56AM on 9-10-2008
I'd love to find out that these headphones work with my current ipod touch...
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Cranky Bastardo said 3:02AM on 9-10-2008
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!!!!!!!!!
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