This $40 adapter can charge the iPhone 7 with your headphones plugged in






Dongle life




Picture this: a pair of headphones plugged into 3.5mm dongle, which is then plugged into a Lightning adapter, which is then plugged into your phone. That is the reality we live in now that Apple removed the headphone jack on the new iPhone 7. Because the new phone only has one Lightning port for all your peripheral needs, the company has tapped accessory maker Belkin to provide the adapter necessary to both charge the iPhone 7 and listen to music at the same time (so long as you're not using the new wireless AirPods). The product, calledLightning Audio + Charge RockStar, costs $40 and will be released on October 10th.
Belkin says it worked closely with Apple to develop the product, which essentially means Apple gave Belkin the license to develop it and the iPhone maker will stock it in Apple stores. The adapter only has two Lighting ports — one for charging and one for the new Lightning EarPods. So you’ll need to use the 3.5mm dongle Apple bundles for free with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus to listen to standard headphones and charge. (Apple, likely anticipating the push back, is selling replacement dongles for $9.) Belkin says the adapter supports 48 kHz, 24-bit audio output, as well as remote control and mic support for Apple-made headphones.
So it’s an inconvenient solution to a problem many people, like those who travel frequently or drive daily, expressed concern about in the lead up to the iPhone 7 launch. But it’s the best we’ve got. Just don’t lose the dongle, or the adapter, or your Lightning charging cable. You’ll need all of them now if you’re the type of person who listens and charges simultaneously.

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