Force output through Internal Speaker when headset is plugged in

Hi,

Thanks for responding. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just asking: are you entirely sure that it's not possible?

My experience is that it's not a hardware switch that determines audio output, but a software one. I've made this determination simply because there's frequently, if not always, a noticeable delay between the sound switching between the internal speaker and the headset after plugging-in or unplugging. This suggests to me that it's the OS itself deciding to send the audio to the headset, and not simply a hardware re-routing of the output signal. I agree that there must be a micro-switch of some kind that declares the presence or otherwise of an object in headphone socket; but I'm of the belief that the OS, and therefore the software, is in charge of where the audio ultimately goes.

Of course, I could be wrong; but I'd like to pursue this a little further, just to make sure.

🙂

PS: it's been put to me that power management is done in software, not hardware, on Apple's computers, which I'm led to believe is somewhat unusual in the computer industry. As a result, I don't think it's too much of a leap to imagine that audio routing may also be done in software too, and thereby make the switching I'm looking for possible.

I think I'll submit some Feedback, and see what happens.

OOC: other than for simplicity's sake (which goodness knows is starting to become a bane of Apple's OSes, and not a boon), why would Apple prevent users forcing output through the internal speakers? You mention "overloading […] the Audio Chip" - how could this be caused by this procedure?

@BDAqua:

Only once it became more cantankerous did PC users start to see the possibilities!

I'm more and more appreciative of the level of control the Windows OS offers its users. More than once recently I've found myself wishing for something along the lines of Group Policy Editor, for OS X. At the moment, Apple can't even seem to get Parental Controls working correctly… I can't see myself ever adopting Windows full-time, not after past experience. Still…

But we digress.

those […] that would hack into the software and ask for output from both internal and external at the same time.

Yes, I suppose that is a conceivable reason.

Well, I guess I'm going to have to consider a second USB audio device. Can anyone recommend one that's directly compatible with the Apple Headset (ie. uses 4 conductors for input and output over a single 3.5mm jack rather than two separate jacks) and costs no more than US$15-20?

Király wrote:

them wanting to know of what use it would be.

I think that's the most revealing insight I've heard so far into the way Apple engineers its products.

When I posted my feedback, I linked them this thread so they'd have reference to one reason why it might be a positive change to make. Now all we can do is wait.

@rep_audiom: If you haven't already realised, you've posted in the wrong place. This is a user-level thread regarding Mac minis running Mountain Lion, not a dev-level thread about iPhones running iOS.

If you're not finding any suitable help in the iPhone forums, try the Apple Mailing Lists.