The MacBook Pro 2016 may be removing the 3.5 mm jack as well, similar to the rumored plans for the iPhone 7. (Photo : Getty Images/Justin Sullivan/)
Apple iPhone 7 rumors seem to be in overdrive with the removal of the standard 3.5mm headphone jack being a highlight as the company files a new trademark for "AirPods."
Since the headphone jack would be removed in the iPhone 7, users would be forced to use either earphones with Lightning connectors or wireless headphones. The new so-called AirPods would obviously be wireless and the trademark is just in time for the upcoming iPhone 7 reveal.
Earlier reports have claimed that there will be several iPhone 7 variants that will not have the headphone jack anymore while one would still feature the default plug. That seems to be the consensus in some iPhone 7 speculations and the new trademark filing could prove that there will be indeed variants without the jack.
Apple filed for the AirPods trademark seemingly for the iPhone 7 through a shell company called Entertainment in Flight LLC, Slashgear has learned. It is unclear as to why the Cupertino-based tech company needed a shell company and not filing the trademark directly.
People have also speculated earlier that Apple will be selling their own brand of wireless earphones and AirPods seem really to fit in the rumor. The new AirPods brand idea does seem to work better compared to another Beats product which may make the price shoot up.
The AirPods trademark for the iPhone 7 has been signed by Jonathan Brown who is a Senior Standards Counsel for Apple, Mac Rumors reported. Previous court filings have shown that the Jonathan Brown for Entertainment Filings LLC is the same Jonathan Brown that works for Apple which strengthens the idea of the shell company.
If the iPhone 7 rumors are true and most of the variants of the next iPhone would have no 3.5mm headphone jack, Apple's AirPods may be launched alongside the reveal of the product. Some users disagree with the idea as they think Apple would be milking people for their money once again as it would probably need a separate charger as well.
Apple's iPhone 7 is expected to be revealed in several weeks through their own press event. The company may confirm whether there will be a variant with the 3.5mm headphone jack or if they will completely remove it from their new iPhone lineup for 2016.
