iPhone ear buds

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Art Vandelay - 15 Jul 2007 16:13 GMT

Is it true that only the Apple supplied ear buds can be used with the
iPhone? You cant go buy a Sony headset and plug it in?

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Michelle Steiner - 15 Jul 2007 19:13 GMT

> Is it true that only the Apple supplied ear buds can be used with the
> iPhone? You cant go buy a Sony headset and plug it in?

No, it's not true. For some (maybe most, perhaps all) third party
headsets, and even for at least some of Apple's iPod headsets, you will
need an adaptor, but you can use them.

Of course, if they don't have a microphone, you won't be able to talk on
the phone with them.

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Madwen - 16 Jul 2007 04:42 GMT

> Is it true that only the Apple supplied ear buds can be used with the
> iPhone? You cant go buy a Sony headset and plug it in?

The set supplied with the iPhone has a built-in microphone and a
mechanism for switching from iPod-type functions to a phone call & back.
Other headsets don't (yet) work the same way. Presently, you would need
an adaptor to plug in a foreign headset. But I'm guessing that there
will be quite an array of peripherals for the iPhone to suit various
tastes and preferences.

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Chris McDonald - 16 Jul 2007 05:00 GMT

>> Is it true that only the Apple supplied ear buds can be used with the
>> iPhone? You cant go buy a Sony headset and plug it in?

>The set supplied with the iPhone has a built-in microphone and a
>mechanism for switching from iPod-type functions to a phone call & back.
>Other headsets don't (yet) work the same way. Presently, you would need
>an adaptor to plug in a foreign headset. But I'm guessing that there
>will be quite an array of peripherals for the iPhone to suit various
>tastes and preferences.

The iPhone's headphone socket is also recessed into the body,
so that most standard plugs won't make their physical contacts.
Wonder if Bose will make an adapter for their QC-3s....?

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Davoud - 16 Jul 2007 14:06 GMT

> The iPhone's headphone socket is also recessed into the body,
> so that most standard plugs won't make their physical contacts.
> Wonder if Bose will make an adapter for their QC-3s....?

I have successfully modified the plugs on a number of headphones (to
fit the iPhone jack) by using a single-edge razor blade to remove about
1/8 inch / 3.2mm of soft plastic from the plugs. The metal plug
extends well up into the plastic finger grip and the exposure of an
extra bit of metal does not seem to be weaken the assembly in any way.

Davoud

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sbt - 16 Jul 2007 14:44 GMT

> > The iPhone's headphone socket is also recessed into the body,
> > so that most standard plugs won't make their physical contacts.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> extends well up into the plastic finger grip and the exposure of an
> extra bit of metal does not seem to be weaken the assembly in any way.

And, if from fear of messing up or for aesthetic reasons, you choose
not to perform surgery on the plugs, Belkin (and others) offer adapters
already.

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Madwen - 16 Jul 2007 19:29 GMT

> >> Is it true that only the Apple supplied ear buds can be used with the
> >> iPhone? You cant go buy a Sony headset and plug it in?
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> so that most standard plugs won't make their physical contacts.
> Wonder if Bose will make an adapter for their QC-3s....?

Yes, that is why I said an adaptor is required. There is at least one
available but I don't recall whose it is.

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C J Campbell - 20 Jul 2007 17:10 GMT

> Is it true that only the Apple supplied ear buds can be used with the
> iPhone? You cant go buy a Sony headset and plug it in?

I don't know. But the ear buds do work on a MacBook Pro.

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sbt - 20 Jul 2007 18:34 GMT

> > Is it true that only the Apple supplied ear buds can be used with the
> > iPhone? You cant go buy a Sony headset and plug it in?
>
> I don't know. But the ear buds do work on a MacBook Pro.

My old Belkin "behind the neck" iPod earbuds work, but obviously don't
have the mic, so can only listen, not talk. Another set of headphones
needed an adapter to plug into the iPhone (too thick at the plug to
insert).

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Michelle Steiner - 20 Jul 2007 18:48 GMT

> My old Belkin "behind the neck" iPod earbuds work, but obviously
> don't have the mic, so can only listen, not talk. Another set of
> headphones needed an adapter to plug into the iPhone (too thick at
> the plug to insert).

I need soft earbuds; I can't wear the hard ones that come with the
iPhone or the iPod. Apple makes a great one, and also makes a great one
for the Nano (with the integral neck cord). There's also a pair of Sony
phones with the soft bud and those thingies that go over the ear; it
works great while running. But none of those work with the iPhone
without that adaptor.

All I'd need it for is while on an aircraft while watching a movie or
listening to music on the iPhone. I have a Bluetooth headset for phone
calls.

Any recommendations other than the expensive headsets? Maybe $30 and
under?

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Mac Forum / General / Hardware / July 2007

iPhone ear buds