Report: Apple defines specs for Lightning headphones with 48kHz output

I'm all for better sound quality but I think if Apple was to remove the 3.5mm audio jack and opt for a lighting only connection it was cause outrage.

It would be nice if they could push for USB3 compatibility with the connector first.

As Netflix pushes the video on demand market forward with 4K HTML5 DRM enabled browsers, are apple looking to do similar with audio while locking customers into their ecosystem with the promise of definition?

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/06/report-apple-defines-specs-for-lightning-headphones-with-48khz-output/

Xbox One can play CDs and is DLNA compatible

See link below. Good to hear. Would be nice is both supported the new Blu-ray Audio format which I'm assuming they do, just haven't seen in writing.

http://www.neowin.net/news/xbox-one-can-play-cds-and-is-dlna-compatible

Rather amusingly the PS4 won't as they are pitching their streaming services. I'm still trying to find out about Blu-ray Audio but that'll be shocking if the PS4 doesn't with Sony producing some!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/11/01/playstation_4_faq/

Another failing HD audio format rears its head.

Welcome to universals High fidelity pure audio. A new music format for Blu-ray with surround surround and multiple encoding. Also you get a digital copy for the music. 

So why is the title so pessimistic? Because we've seen it all before with DVD-A, SACD and to some extent MinDisc. 

The formats never get as big a push as they should to rival CD sales let alone the uprise of digital downloads. Why is this more like a 'best of' collection and not aimed at chart releases and all new releases! The PS4 helped bring Blu-ray to the masses, the next generation of consoles with both have Blu-ray support so it makes sense to push now to keep physical media going. It also gives the producers more profitability as costs lower over time and gives them their grip on the artists which is something they've lost over time due to the digital age. I'm not saying that's a good thing... Just I'm surprised they've not been as keen because of this. 

The is surprising really. With digital downloads only being yours and not something someone can inherit from you I would have thought people would be more keep to jump on a high fidelity format and try to outright replace the ageing CD. I don't think you can do away with vinyl as some people love the analogue sound but for CD's... they're digital!



http://www.whathifi.com/news/high-fidelity-pure-audio-launch-titles-confirmed

The next home-networking revolution will be wired

Anything to reduce the amount of cables I have behind my Amp and computer is considered a big step forward!

It has great potential, especially with the built in PoE! You could power, TV's, VoIP phones, games consoles etc with no need for all those separate power cables!

The real plus is for PC's that can function on less than 100W. You eliminate the display / power / network cable and just have one for them all. (I didn't mention audio as HDMI can carry that).

It's doesn't quite match up to DisplayPort's 17.28 Gbit/s transfer rate as it only manages 10.2 Gbit/s bit i'm sure as the standard develops it will catch up. Its good enough for 4K. 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2036527/the-next-home-networking-revolution-will-be-wired.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDBaseT

http://www.hdbaset.org/spec2