AppleInsider Staff
The technology world has a seething hatred of the traditional 3.5-millimeter headphone jack — or so it seems, given that chip giant Intel is the latest company to propose replacing the aging plug with a digital alternative.
Intel would prefer that future devices, including smartphones and tablets, eschew the stalwart headphone jack for USB-C. The firm made its case at a recent development conference with the unveiling of USB Type-C Digital Audio, as noted by AnandTech.
In the near term, Intel would simply like to replace the jack with USB-C's analog audio specification. This would be "basically a connector replacement," Intel said.
Looking toward the future, they hope that adopting USB-C will help catalyze the movement from analog to digital audio.
From a user's perspective, the move to digital headphones could be a good one. Improved audio quality is one obvious plus; the ability to communicate directly with — and draw power from — a mobile device means that headphones could become smarter and in some cases lighter, since powered models would no longer require built-in batteries.
This shift would also benefit Intel, the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer by a country mile, in obvious ways.
There is mounting evidence that Apple is contemplating a similar move, though most people believe the iPhone maker would choose its own Lightning connector over USB-C. If Intel's proposal moves forward, the battle between USB-C and Lightning will be an interesting — and likely expensive — one waged on the battlefield of the world's most popular consumer device.
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Marko Zivkovic
57 Comments
Just waiting for giants like Apple,Samsung to adopt. It's inevitable. Only, concern is one port used for multiple insertion per day by wired audio jack into the same port use for charging. Within few months of usage, phone will still be perfect but the port went bad. Solution is BT earbuds, wireless charging.
In before all the people claiming Apple is going to replace Lightning with USB-C. Nope.
Smoke and mirrors. Moving the the D/A and amplification circuitry a couple centimeters physically will not lead to any sonic improvement or greater utility, it will just drive up costs for consumers and line Intel's pocket. It's completely pointless from a consumers perspective.
All other phone manufacturers replace the headphone jack, few people complain, many people say it's a good idea, not head line news.
Apple replaces the headphone jack and provides an adapter, world explodes, Apple is ridiculous, trending topic on most websites.