Apple's iPhone audio gaffes
Belkin's flexible iPhone headphone adapter
(Credit: iLounge)A couple of small--but I think somewhat serious--issues regarding the audio output of the iPhone have been percolating on the Web for the last week or so. The issues involve the iPhone's headphone/headset jack and the phone's ability to output stereo sound via Bluetooth.
Let's start with the headphone jack. In Walt Mossberg and Katherine Boehret's iPhone review for the Wall Street Journal, they state, "The headphone jack, which supports both stereo music and phone calls, is deeply recessed, so you may need an adapter for existing headphones." Why the port would be so deeply recessed is a mystery, but in case you missed it, the folks over at iLounge had a blurb on a $11 Belkin iPhone adapter the other week to deal with the issue. Who wants an adapter protruding from the side of your cell phone just so you can use that pair of good earbuds you already own?
On the Bluetooth front, rumors that the phone would not support stereo Bluetooth streaming popped up around the Web as soon as it was revealed that there was no A2DP support, but it's now been confirmed that the iPhone only offers mono Bluetooth audio output (essentially for headset use). This means you won't be able to wirelessly stream tunes from the iPhone to one of the many new and improving Bluetooth stereo headphones or Bluetooth speakers. Fans of the cordless headphone concept (I am one) should be a little upset over this because most so-called multimedia phones offer stereo Bluetooth audio output.
At this point, it's unclear whether Apple will be able to add stereo Bluetooth output to this generation of iPhone, but I certainly hope it does soon, especially as many folks are speculating that next-generation iPods will have some sort of wireless streaming feature built into it.
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter.
an iPod, it will work with a sound dock. The problem with car adapters are their
ability to send a wireless signal to your car stereo, while the Sound Dock
connection is a straightforward connection.
an iPod, it will work with a sound dock. The problem with car adapters are their
ability to send a wireless signal to your car stereo, while the Sound Dock
connection is a straightforward connection.
actually tried them? I just spent quality time with a set of Motorola S9s, arguably
a better pair of Bluetooth headphones, paired with an LG Muziq, one of the
newest music phones around. It was a horrible, frustrating experience. Audio
quality, at best, was good, but reception issues interrupted songs every few
seconds. Simply unacceptable. Apple is right to avoid A2DP, the technology isn't
fully formed.
Definitely a deal-breaker. The S9 does have intermittent audio until you get the best positioning for it figured out; I have the armband (works great in that), and also have found that if I put my BlackBerry Curve upside down in my pocket (front) that I get no skips. I love it... until Apple makes it work, it's just not "cool" enough to spend my money on.
actually tried them? I just spent quality time with a set of Motorola S9s, arguably
a better pair of Bluetooth headphones, paired with an LG Muziq, one of the
newest music phones around. It was a horrible, frustrating experience. Audio
quality, at best, was good, but reception issues interrupted songs every few
seconds. Simply unacceptable. Apple is right to avoid A2DP, the technology isn't
fully formed.
bluetooth? i think i remember that steve jobs said that the iphone would have
stereo bluetooth when he introduced the iphone at macworld. any info ont this
would be appreciated. thanks.
bluetooth? i think i remember that steve jobs said that the iphone would have
stereo bluetooth when he introduced the iphone at macworld. any info ont this
would be appreciated. thanks.
Lack of A2DP is yet another glaring example of features left out in the iPhone. It will definitely be acceptable to those enticed by shiny, thin, metallic things but not to anyone who knows their gadgets.
Lack of A2DP is yet another glaring example of features left out in the iPhone. It will definitely be acceptable to those enticed by shiny, thin, metallic things but not to anyone who knows their gadgets.
not use my Motorola HT820 Bluetooth headset with the iTunes portion of the
iPhone, because the iPhone does not support A2DP. They told me that the
iPhone Bluetooth will work with a stereo Bluetooth headset in phone mode
only.
A2DP is a well established and proven technology. I have used my HT820
headset with my iPod, with an attached iMuffs Bluetooth Transceiver and my
Motorola phone for more than a year and the sound is crystal clear. There is
no static or other unexpected characteristics, since the Bluetooth adaptor
attaches to the digital dock connector. The only glitch is that after a phone
call ends, I have to press the Play button twice, to start up the iPod where it
paused, when the phone rang. I can live with that. But, not having something
as basic and proven as A2DP on something that is supposed to be the most
advanced phone/mp player ever built, is a serious flaw. I am seriously
considering returning my iPhone, for this reason alone.
Also, the plug for my noise canceling headphones does not fit into the
recessed jack on the iPhone. However, with a fine file, I was able to reduce the
diameter of the headphone plug, ever so slightly, so that it will now fit into
the recessed jack on the iPhone. At least, if I should decide to keep the
iPhone, I will be able to use my noise canceling headphones when I fly, which
is the only time I use them, anyway.
I just have to decide if I am going to keep my iPhone for more than a day.
not use my Motorola HT820 Bluetooth headset with the iTunes portion of the
iPhone, because the iPhone does not support A2DP. They told me that the
iPhone Bluetooth will work with a stereo Bluetooth headset in phone mode
only.
A2DP is a well established and proven technology. I have used my HT820
headset with my iPod, with an attached iMuffs Bluetooth Transceiver and my
Motorola phone for more than a year and the sound is crystal clear. There is
no static or other unexpected characteristics, since the Bluetooth adaptor
attaches to the digital dock connector. The only glitch is that after a phone
call ends, I have to press the Play button twice, to start up the iPod where it
paused, when the phone rang. I can live with that. But, not having something
as basic and proven as A2DP on something that is supposed to be the most
advanced phone/mp player ever built, is a serious flaw. I am seriously
considering returning my iPhone, for this reason alone.
Also, the plug for my noise canceling headphones does not fit into the
recessed jack on the iPhone. However, with a fine file, I was able to reduce the
diameter of the headphone plug, ever so slightly, so that it will now fit into
the recessed jack on the iPhone. At least, if I should decide to keep the
iPhone, I will be able to use my noise canceling headphones when I fly, which
is the only time I use them, anyway.
I just have to decide if I am going to keep my iPhone for more than a day.
After almost 24 hours, it only moments ago occurred to me that the iMuffs
(MA110) Bluetooth transceiver that I have been using on my old iPod might
work on my iPhone, so... I tried it.
Voilla!
When I plugged it in, the iPhone asked if I wanted go into airplane safe mode
and I touched "No". About 14 seconds later (that's normal), I heard the
connection tone in my HT820. I am now listening to the Beach Boys over my
HT820 Bluetooth headset and I just got off of a phone call, using the same
headset. I can use the controls on the HT820, to Play, Pause, Skip, Back, FF
and REW. In other words, I have stereo Bluetooth sound and remote Bluetooth
control over iTunes.
It's a shame that Apple can't figure out a way to do the same thing, internally.
At least the iMuffs dongle is very small. I have used it for this long. I guess
that I can keep using it until Apple gets their Bluetooth act together. I just
have to get a different case, that will fit the iMuffs adaptor better.
I'm sorry that it took me so long to think of this and get it posted. But then,
when you're as smart as I am, it's hard to remember everything you know. ;-)
After almost 24 hours, it only moments ago occurred to me that the iMuffs
(MA110) Bluetooth transceiver that I have been using on my old iPod might
work on my iPhone, so... I tried it.
Voilla!
When I plugged it in, the iPhone asked if I wanted go into airplane safe mode
and I touched "No". About 14 seconds later (that's normal), I heard the
connection tone in my HT820. I am now listening to the Beach Boys over my
HT820 Bluetooth headset and I just got off of a phone call, using the same
headset. I can use the controls on the HT820, to Play, Pause, Skip, Back, FF
and REW. In other words, I have stereo Bluetooth sound and remote Bluetooth
control over iTunes.
It's a shame that Apple can't figure out a way to do the same thing, internally.
At least the iMuffs dongle is very small. I have used it for this long. I guess
that I can keep using it until Apple gets their Bluetooth act together. I just
have to get a different case, that will fit the iMuffs adaptor better.
I'm sorry that it took me so long to think of this and get it posted. But then,
when you're as smart as I am, it's hard to remember everything you know. ;-)
After all, I could only justify the outrageous cost of my iPhone by telling myself "Hey, it's a smartphone and next-gen iPod, all in one!!" But come to find out that unlike other up-to-date phones (Samsung's Blackjack comes to mind), the iPhone's lack of A2DP support means I'm still stuck with clunky wired headphones for my music.
What's really hard to understand about this is that it seems the software on the iPhone *already* supports stereo Bluetooth. If you go to Settings > General > About > Legal (okay, I was enthralled with my new toy...), there's legalese about the Bluemagic software by Open Interface. And, if you go to that company's website (http://www.oi-us.com/), they trumpet their support for stereo Bluetooth. So it seems the capability should be on the iPhone, but for some reason Apple doesn't enable it.
A real bummer - as much as I love the iPhone's UI, the music side is really important to me. I'm reconsidering my decision to not buy the Samsung Blackjack (which is also feature-rich, and support A2DP...)
After all, I could only justify the outrageous cost of my iPhone by telling myself "Hey, it's a smartphone and next-gen iPod, all in one!!" But come to find out that unlike other up-to-date phones (Samsung's Blackjack comes to mind), the iPhone's lack of A2DP support means I'm still stuck with clunky wired headphones for my music.
What's really hard to understand about this is that it seems the software on the iPhone *already* supports stereo Bluetooth. If you go to Settings > General > About > Legal (okay, I was enthralled with my new toy...), there's legalese about the Bluemagic software by Open Interface. And, if you go to that company's website (http://www.oi-us.com/), they trumpet their support for stereo Bluetooth. So it seems the capability should be on the iPhone, but for some reason Apple doesn't enable it.
A real bummer - as much as I love the iPhone's UI, the music side is really important to me. I'm reconsidering my decision to not buy the Samsung Blackjack (which is also feature-rich, and support A2DP...)
Excellent
8.0
out of 10
The good: The Apple iPhone has a stunning display, a sleek design, and an innovative multitouch user interface. Its Safari browser makes for a superb Web surfing experience, and it offers easy-to-use apps. As an iPod, it shines.
The bad: The Apple iPhone has variable call quality and lacks some basic features found in many cell phones, including stereo Bluetooth support and 3G compatibility. Integrated memory is stingy for an iPod, and you have to sync the iPhone to manage music content.
The bottom line: Despite some important missing features, a slow data network, and call quality that doesn't always deliver, the Apple iPhone sets a new benchmark for an integrated cell phone and MP3 player.
- CNET editors' review
-
by danielstillson
July 8, 2007 3:23 PM PDT
- CNET editors' review
-
Reply to this comment
-
Showing 1 of 2 pages (28 Comments)Excellent
8.0
out of 10
The good: The Apple iPhone has a stunning display, a sleek design, and an innovative multitouch user interface. Its Safari browser makes for a superb Web surfing experience, and it offers easy-to-use apps. As an iPod, it shines.
The bad: The Apple iPhone has variable call quality and lacks some basic features found in many cell phones, including stereo Bluetooth support and 3G compatibility. Integrated memory is stingy for an iPod, and you have to sync the iPhone to manage music content.
The bottom line: Despite some important missing features, a slow data network, and call quality that doesn't always deliver, the Apple iPhone sets a new benchmark for an integrated cell phone and MP3 player.