Official Apple lightning EarPods allegedly caught on video

If you have been following the various rumors and developments regarding Apple's next iPhone lineup even loosely, then you surely know about the still ongoing 3.5mm jack debate. As sources pile up over time, we have to say that things are definitely gravitating towards a new iPhone without probably the most standard of standard jacks out there (seriously, go show your grandparents one, alongside a fancy USB Type-C connector, see which one they recognize).

EarPods with a Lightning connector

Of course what this logically leads up to is the necessity for a whole new wave of lightning-based audio peripherals or at least a buildup of the already existing base, as probably even Apple wouldn't be daring enough to leave us with wireless audio alone. Continuing the same logical chain, Apple does still need to provide a standard way for users to consume audio from the sole digital output left available. That can be done in one of two ways - an active adapter from lightning to a 3.5mm jack, like the one we saw a couple of moths back or an active pair oh headphones, which we allegedly caught a glimpse of recently as well.

While both approaches are really nothing technologically new or challenging, the real question is which one of these solutions will Apple decide to officially bundle with the iPhone. A newly uncovered YouTube video might just tip the scale towards a full set of EarPods, as it does appear to show an official-looking pair already working with the iPhone 6s, media controls and everything. You can check the video out for yourself.

And just to gravitate back to the technological side of things, as misconceptions and outlandish ideas really seem inevitable given the current situation - digital audio is not something new, despite what any early USB Type-C tech adopters or Apple will eventually start suggesting. Lightning ports can already output digital audio, in fact that is how iPod docks work and the same goes for most mobile USB connectors, Type-C and older micro USB alike (some conditions do have to be met though). All this new transition boils down to is a fight over where your audio gets to be converted from digital to analog and then relayed to your years, as the latter don't really know how to turn one's and zeroes into sound waves.

There is a lot to be said about each approach to what is essentially the age-old task of digital to analog conversion. This is an important point to make and one that we have tried to lay out in detail in a recent editorial.Giving it a quick read-through definitely couldn't hurt before Apple likely unleashes a whole new wave of misunderstood and overpriced tech come September's iPhone announcements.

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