The size, performance, battery life and construction of the wireless earpods are anything but "basic". In fact, most run-of-the-mill competitors are at the same price or more for wireless earbuds.

>There's not even the decency to see if people care about a thinner phone by offering both a thin model without a jack and a thicker phone with one (for some strategically important price differential).

The "decency" of not having a focus and vision as a company, and throwing stuff out to see what sticks?

>All that's been achieved is that Apple has now created/affirmed a new non-optional secondary market

You know you can use all other brands of wireless (and wired with either the adapter or with lighting) headphones, including all your older headphones, right?

>But honestly, complaints and analysis don't matter, people will line up to buy this garbage

So, people buy it, but it's still "garbage" because you say so?

>and they don't even have the respect for their customers to ship their stupid buds on time with the product that requires them...

The "respect" to magically fix the production slowdowns? Maybe ask the Chinese to whip and beat their workers more or over-clock the assembly line robots?

Or the "respect" to delay the release of the phone for 2+ weeks, so that those interested in those specific wireless buds (a small percentage of the overall iphone buyers) get them simultaneously with the phone?

Even the starting premise is wrong. Nothing "requires" them. You can use your old, non wireless buds, third party wireless buds, new non wireless headphones, and even third party Lighting headphones. Apple's new wireless earpods are just one option upon hundreds.

>so that their customers can look like bluetooth douchebags from both sides.

Maybe you have some anger issues, but Apple doesn't seem to be the real source...