Chinese company promotes lightning-to-headphone adapter amid iPhone 7 rumours
AN accessory maker in China has begun advertising Lightning-to-headphone adapters ahead of rumours that the next generation of iPhones would drop the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack.
According to Appleinsider, the adapters advertised by Tama Electric comes with separate volume controls. The company is promoting three types; of which two include a micro USB port for charging while using headphones.
The three variants of the adapter. Image via AppleInsider
The site pointed out that although there are a handful of Lightning-connected headphones on the market shelves, Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone adapters are not currently being retailed, especially as an iPhone accessory.
This suggests that Apple would have to offer a similar type of adapter if it excluded the headphone inputs from the next generation iPhone.
SEE ALSO: Apple loses legal battle with Chinese handbag company over ‘IPHONE’ trademark
If the input is not included in the new model, users would have to either rely on Bluetooth-connected headphones or adapters. The company is also believed to be making Bluetooth earpods to pair with the phone.
However, Tama’s ‘new’ accessory has yet to be made available for purchase and did not have a listed price as it may be a promoted concept or prototype. It is unlikely that they received endorsements from Apple to make the adapters for the iPhone.
It is rumoured that the iPhone 7 will be released in the second half of 2016, but Apple has yet to confirm the exact date. It’s also tipped to be priced at around US$649, similar to the iPhone 6S.
Meanwhile, LiveMint reported that Apple lost its bid to sell refurbished iPhones in India after the government rejected Tim Cook’s proposal.
Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s commerce and industry minister told a press conference recently that Apple has not been given authorization simply because the refurbished iPhones were sourced from the Cupertino company.
India is tipped to become the second largest smartphone market by 2017.
“We are not in favor of any company selling used phones in the country, however certified they may be,” Sitharaman said.
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