So, form over function.

Got it.

As for the "world's most popular" headphones, he might have been more accurate describing them as the "world's most common" headphones, and I mean that in the most common way possible.

I suspect that "common" is really what he meant, but he does have the word Marketing in his job title, so that's what you get.

The 30GB 5G iPod is thinner than the iPhone, has it's head phone jack all the way to the edge of the case, AND maintains the "shape" or "design integrity." It does this by simply profiling what would be the exposed lip of the jack to match the curved profile of the case.

I guess they forgot what they did two years ago.

The two devices are shaped a little different -- the iPhone's top edge is entirely curved, sweeping up from the screen side and then back down to the camera side. The 5G 30GB iPod basically starts from a flat edge and then falls away.

But you're right, they managed to do it with the 5G iPod. I suspect there's some reinforcement going on here, and probably some internal design issues (i.e., location of components) that were also limiting. But that's not what I was told by Apple, FWIW.

I'm not sure what he meant about ipod headphones being compatible. I have two pairs, one from a 2nd gen, and one of the very newest redesign, and neither works to play music on my iphone!

Is it just me or is it not true that all iPod headphones fit, as Joz supposedly said according to this article? I have a set from the 4G iPod that don't fit.

It's definitely an issue with the curve. The headphone jack would have flared out beyond the sides of the narrowest point of the curve, I think. I've certainly seen devices with that sort of physical feature before.

That doesn't mean it's so important as to make everyone's life difficult. I find that ugly Belkin adapter much more offensive than a sub-millimeter bulge in the iPhone's case.

Are those Ultimate Ears in the picture up top? If so...

Has anybody tried the "razorblade mod" and cut off the plastic ring where it meets the metal of the plug?

Also, seems like UE and their removable cables would enable an easy swapout for a cable with the Apple-style plug, mic, and clicker.

I understand where Joz is coming from, but then considering Belkin's adapter sells for $10, why wouldn't Apple consider including an adapter themselves? (It probably would have cost them $0.99 to make one that was not as ugly as Belkin's)

It would have been a nice good will move.

That being said... Yes, I did try the "razorblade" mod. I took a $6 radioshack headphone splitter - one male to 2 females. I cut off one of the females and shaved down the plastic to fit the iPhone jack. And it worked like a charm.

Eric: It's not just you. Any Apple headphones prior to the new headphones -- the new ones shaped like a bubble pipe with the longer plastic extension on each earbud -- don't work with the iPhone.

Mystifying.

@Ward: Yes, those are UE's. I haven't tried the razorblade mod yet, but I may at some point. I've got a spare set of cables.

I do hope that UE makes a headphone/mic/clicker combo cable someday.

-jason

Why is it that I think nobody got my reference?

As someone else stated, it's the curved shape along the edges of the aluminum back that requires the jack to appear recessed on the dorsal/front side. Note that at the ventral/back side of the phone, the jack is nearly flush with the hole. There was really no other way for Apple to provide a jack along the side without altering the exterior shape of the phone.

Apple really should smooth off the edges of the hole in the aluminum, though. Those edges are not just annoying to the touch, they're sharp. I've already seen one report on the 'net of a person who gouged their fingertip when inserting their hand in a pocket containing the iPhone.

I just checked: My Etymotics (ER 6i) work fine with my iPhone.

For anyone that was curious about Ultimate Ears, I succeeded in modding mine without much trouble.

The circular plastic part at the base of the jack needs to come off. The entire thing. There's another thing layer of plastic below that; try to leave it intact.

Headphones fit almost perfectly. The plug is free to rotate 360 degrees. I had a spare set of wires so I had no worries about sacrificing them, but they worked well anyway.

I also contacted UE and they said they would eventually sell an iPhone compatible set of replacement wires. Here's hoping they have a mic and a clicker too.

I don't know why you guys don't see through this. Behind the company line, it's a way to get more money for a proprietary accessory. By making the iPhone jack unique, Apple has created demand and necessity for new iPhone specific-headphones.

You don't need to switch to Apple's headphones if you think you might get a call. The iPhone "knows" if your headphones have a microphone. If not, you can lift the bottom of the phone to your mouth to speak into the built in mic, but still hear the other end of the call through your headphones.

This was a delightful surprise to me, as I much prefer my Tri-ports to the included earbuds.