On Wednesday Apple unveiled the iPhone 7 and confirmed rumors that the 2016 iPhone would lack a headphone jack. Unfortunately, it presents a big problem for those who want to charge and listen to iPhone 7 at the same time.
Apple said it took “courage” to get rid of the headphone jack and release new headphones that would connect to your phone via the lightning port. They argued that by removing the 3.5mm jack, they’re freeing up valuable space within the phone for new technology.
“But how am I going to charge and listen to my iPhone 7 at the same time?” asked Apple users around the world.
It’s a very valid question, especially for those of you who use your iPhone in your car, but Apple did not officially offer a solution during their keynote presentation on Wednesday. However, the days following the announcement have birthed a pair of (bad) solutions.
How to listen and charge iPhone 7 at the same time, according to Apple
Solution #1: Buy an additional accessory. Belkin has announced the Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar, a device that plugs into your Lightning port and splits into two inputs. By giving you two Lightning ports, you’ll be able to plug your new iPhone headphones and a charging cable into the device simultaneously.
The Audio + Charge RockStar will cost $39.99 and is “coming soon.”
Solution #2: Buy a $49 Apple dock which still includes a standard headphone jack. Amusingly, Apple head Phil Schiller recently replied to a concerned user over e-mail and proposed this idea:
Unfortunately, Phil doesn’t seem to realize that a tabletop iPhone stand is not a good solution for people who need to charge and listen to music while, say, in a car.
Neither of these solutions will completely ease concerns, since ultimately we have to shell out more money and carry around an additional accessory.
It’s too bad Apple didn’t just put two lightning ports on the bottom of the phone.
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