There is only one way to use wired earphones while charging the iPhone 7
Apple has unleashed a music lover's nightmare.
The company killed the headphone jack at its iPhone 7 event on Wednesday, causing many to question how on earth they would be able to simultaneously charge their phones and listen to music via the Lightning port.
If you're not down to pay $159 for the wireless AirPods, Apple is including EarPods with a Lightning Connector and a Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter (which you can attach your existing iPhone EarPods too) in the iPhone 7 box. Despite being super annoying, listening to music without wireless headphones won't be an issue... until it comes to charging *gasp.*
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When users want to listen to music and the iPhone 7's Lightening port is occupied by wired headphones stuck in an adapter, there unfortunately won't be a way to insert the charger into the phone.
Belkin has come up with a solution, but it's not pretty. The electronic manufacturer is releasing a $39.95 Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar device for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, that features a Lightning plug on one end and two Lightning ports on the other.
Apple Insider reported that the product, which will allow users to simultaneously charge battery and listen to audio, was "developed closely with Apple" and is compatible with any Lightning device running iOS 10 or later.
According to Apple Insider, Steve Malony, VP, GM of Belkin is excited to provide people with "an easy way to charge and listen on the go."
While this product technically solves our dilemma, "easy" doesn't seem like the best term to describe it.
Just think, we now have to deal with the inconvenient reality of attaching a larger dongle to the bottom of our phones, which will then have two unnaturally protruding wires extending out of it. It's going to be fun to go jogging with.
Nevertheless, thanks to Apple's bold move, this is what it has come to.
The Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar will launch on Belkin's website and Apple's online and retail stores on Oct. 10, so you still have some time to weigh your options.
Nicole is a Senior Editor at Mashable. She primarily covers entertainment and digital culture trends, and in her free time she can be found watching TV, sending voice notes, or going viral on Twitter for admiring knitwear. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemichele5.
