Apple introduced new specs for third-party manufacturers of headphones that connect to iOS devices via a lightning connector rather than a 3.5 mm jack on Wednesday.
The new Lightning headphones can receive lossless stereo 48 kHZ digital audio output and transmit mono 48 kHZ digital auto input from Apple devices. The headphones also accommodate an audio input microphone running on the software supporting devices running on iOS7.1 and later, 9to5Mac reported.
Headphone manufacturers could take advantage of Apple Headphone Remote controls like Volume Up/Down/etc. The specification would also provide buttons for launching specific apps such as iTunes Radio or initiating playback controls on iOS. To top it all off, the headphones work specifically with a companion iOS app and launch a specific app when connected to an iOS device.
Apple built in some useful extras. The headphones draw power from an Apple device even if the gadget is not turned on, which could save the internal battery. The new specification would also make it possible for a device to get its power from an internal battery or an outside power source allowing the user to listen to music and, at the same time, charge the device. Automatic firmware updating was also listed on its specifications.
9to5Mac reported that Apple created two configurations for the headphones: standard lightning and advanced lightning.
The standard Lightning headphones use minimum components when paired with a digital-to-analog converter supported by the Lightning Headphone Module. The advanced Lightning headphones allow digital audio processing features like active noise cancellation and uses a digital signal processor and digital/analog converter.
This development follows Apple's purchase of Beats Electronics for $3 billion. Enlisting partners like Beats gave Apple the chance to put Lightning headphones on the market, attracting buyers and placing the company at a competitive advantage.
