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Apple Supplier Cirrus Logic Releases Kit for Creating Lightning-Based Headphones Ahead of iPhone 7

<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2016/06/Philips-Lightning.jpg)" alt="Philips-Lightning" width="260" height="175" class="alignright size-full wp-image-509598" />Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has announced a new MFi Headset Development Kit (https://investor.cirrus.com/news-and-events/media-center/news-details/2016/Cirrus-Logic-MFi-Headset-Development-Kit-Simplifies-Design-of-Lightning-Based-Audio-Accessories/default.aspx), a reference platform that is designed to help "Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod" accessory makers quickly develop Lightning-based headphones.





The development kit, available through Apple's MFi Program (https://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/), includes a form factor reference design and other resources to help MFi licensees create Lightning-based headphones. A reference iOS app is also available.

The MFi Headset Development Kit demonstrates the advantages of Lightning-connected headsets over conventional analog headsets. For example, digital connectivity with an integrated, high-performance DAC and headphone driver delivers high-fidelity audio to the headphone speakers. In addition, Lightning-connected headphones can interact with an iOS app to create a more custom audio experience, such as personalized EQ settings.

Multiple credible sources have confirmed that Apple plans to remove the 3.5mm headphone plug on the iPhone 7 (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-7/) series in favor of an all-in-one Lightning connector for audio output, charging, and connectivity, but only a handful of Lightning-equipped headphones are available today.





<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2016/06/Cirrus-Logic-MFi.jpg)" alt="Cirrus Logic MFi" width="480" height="274" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-509613" />


Apple introduced new MFi Program specifications (http://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/03/lighting-cable-headphone-mfi/) in June 2014 that allow third-party manufacturers to create headphones that connect to iOS devices via a Lightning cable, but the rollout has been slow. Philips has unveiled Lightning-equipped Fidelio M2L (http://www.macrumors.com/2014/09/10/philips-fidelio-m2l-lightning/) and Fidelio NC1L (http://www.macrumors.com/2015/01/08/philips-fidelio-nc1l/) headphones, pictured above, over the past two years.





Apple may (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/08/iphone-7-lightning-earpods-wireless-earphones/) also release Lightning-equipped EarPods (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/29/sketchy-photos-lightning-earpods/), but a more recent conflicting rumor said the iPhone 7 will ship with standard 3.5mm EarPods (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/20/iphone-7-earpods-and-lightning-adapter/) and a 3.5mm-to-Lightning adapter. Apple is also believed to be exploring Bragi Dash (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/13/bragi-dash-impressions/)-like wireless headphones (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/08/iphone-7-lightning-earpods-wireless-earphones/) (AirPods (http://www.macrumors.com/2015/10/01/airpods-trademark/)?), but it may hold off on adopting the technology until 2017 or later.





Those interested in learning more about Lightning-equipped headphones can watch our video: Lightning Headphones: Are They Better or Just an Inconvenience? (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/05/09/iphone-7-lightning-headphones-hands-on/) We also shared a video showing what an aftermarket 3.5mm-to-Lightning adapter (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/23/headphone-jack-to-lightning-adapter/) looks like as they begin to reach the market (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/05/31/lightning-to-headphone-adapters-iphone-7-launch/).

<div class="linkback">Related Roundup: iPhone 7 (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-7/)
Tags: Lightning (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/lightning/), MFi Program (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/mfi-program/), Cirrus Logic (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/cirrus-logic/) </div>
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Source: Apple Supplier Cirrus Logic Releases Kit for Creating Lightning-Based Headphones Ahead of iPhone 7 (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/29/cirrus-logic-mfi-lightning-headphone-dev-kit/)