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Powerful Apple drives consumer conformity

 
Published Sept. 20, 2016

Perhaps Apple's decision to drop the headphone jack in its new iPhone isn't as obviously bad as it seems. But it does take away a popular option instead of just offering better choices.

What both compounds the problem and enhances the decision's potential benefits is Apple's power. Apple is giving its users an ultimatum: Use the newer technologies, use the adapter Apple provides (a nuisance) so that you can keep using your traditional headphones, keep using your old iPhone (which will get harder and harder to do) or stop using iPhones altogether.

Many users will do what Apple clearly wants — switch to wireless or digital headphones — even if they'd rather have and use the headphone jack. So the ultimatum will expand the market for digital and wireless headphones. As Vox's Timothy B. Lee points out, that will promote the development of new headphones and other accessories. And it will do so more effectively than any decision made by an Android phone manufacturer.

If iPhone users want to switch brands, they have to switch operating systems, learn a new interface and give up apps that are available only for Apple products. So, Apple can more easily steer its users to the technology it wants them to use. That seems more like bullying than offering consumers choice.