“ 2016 is as good a time as any to start the transition away from the headphone jack, the same way we always transition away from all old tech.”

We don’t generally transition away from old technology unless there’s a compelling reason to do so. There isn’t one for the headphone jack. Just about every sound reproduction device — be it players, speakers, or headphones — made in the last 50 years uses this connector. That’s a pretty compelling reason to maintain the standard. And removing the jack is a compelling reason for this user to rule out the iPhone for future upgrades.