The new Apple iPhone has something missing: the small socket millions have used for years to plug in headphones.
While some fans opposed the widely anticipated move — one online petition urging Apple to keep the headphone jack drew more than 300,000 signatures — equipment suppliers and experts heralded a change in how users will interact with their devices.
Axing the jack, they say, paves the way for discreet, bean-sized ear buds that can simultaneously translate, filter out unwanted noise or let us control other devices by voice — and drive up the value of the so-called "hearables" market to $16billion within five years.
The price of the wireless AirPods, including charging case, is likely to put some users off at $269 a pair.
But the younger users of Apple products are likely to buy into both the new phone and the wireless ear buds.
The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in silver, gold, rose gold and the new black finish in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB models starting at a recommended retail price of $1199 for iPhone 7 and $1429 for iPhone 7 Plus.
Customers will be able to order the new iPhones from today and the phones are available in New Zealand from September 16.
The world’s best-known technology company said the iPhone 7 would have one, zooming 12-megapixel camera and the Plus edition would feature two cameras.
