Intel Touts USB-C as Future of Digital Audio as Apple Set to Ditch Headphone Jack

[NobodyOwens]

so soon all my lightening cables will be useless and I'm going to have to buy all new cables for my iPhone....again?

In Economics there's this concept of sunk costs. Costs you had to bear in the past should not be considered when making decisions today. The only thing that matters are costs that you will bear in the future.


Since USB C is an open standard, there will be more competition from cable providers and cables will be cheaper, not to mention that you will get synergy effects from buying other USB C devices from other manufacturers (read: you'll end up with a tangle of cables anyway, even though I did not buy any single cable yourself, they just all came in the box with the newest [insert device here]).


I agree with many posters here. I wish the iPhone kept the jack, but if the Jack needs to go, then at least it should be replaced by a universal standard, not a proprietary technology.
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Even if Tim says, "it's gonna be amazing product" during keynote?

Even then. But if the connector's plug is carved from a single block of shiny aluminium, then I might consider... not.

 

[Mac 128]

In Economics there's this concept of sunk costs. Costs you had to bear in the past should not be considered when making decisions today. The only thing that matters are costs that you will bear in the future.


Since USB C is an open standard, there will be more competition from cable providers and cables will be cheaper, not to mention that you will get synergy effects from buying other USB C devices from other manufacturers (read: you'll end up with a tangle of cables anyway, even though I did not buy any single cable yourself, they just all came in the box with the newest [insert device here]).


I agree with many posters here. I wish the iPhone kept the jack, but if the Jack needs to go, then at least it should be replaced by a universal standard, not a proprietary technology.

But why should I replace all of my Lightning cables and accessories with impossible to find USB-C cables now, when in 5 years, Apple is likely to remove all ports and everything will be wireless anyway?

By the time the rest of the industry catches up to USB-C, I won't need a cable at all. Not to mention that even if Apple goes to USB-C, I'm still going to need adapters for years to come to attach my USB-C cables to anything else. This is no different than the iMac and Apples adoption of USB. It took years before a Mac user could rely on a PC user having a USB port to accept a thumb drive to transfer files. And unfortunately USB-C has just put the PC and Android industry back into the same boat. The difference this time is that wireless is on the horizon. Audio is already standard across the board, as is data. Once power is there, USB-C will be relegated to a desktop port for high speed data transfers, atypical of mobile devices. What mobile devices are using today is irrelevant. USB-C missed the boat by 5 years.

 

[Foremastjack]

So. Instead of adding, Apple takes away utility. The waterproofing idiocy has been adequately shown to be specious through pointing out Samsung's (and others) waterproof jack, and the speaker holes in the iPhone. Bluetooth sound quality and lag are not getting better any time remotely soon, and an external DAC for phones just clutters things up. But the other part I'm not seeing is pass-throughs for those who listen and charge at the same time. Y adapter? How many adapters do I have to buy to use my phone the way I use my phone now?

 

[TimUSCA]

And you base that assertion on what?

Every other trend that Apple started and people bitched about.

 

[lucansmiles]

Intel is being a bit ridiculous. They say they're adding it - meaning USB C cant currently handle digital audio now. So how is Apple supposed to include it?

I don't get it. Intel doesn't need to add digital-audio capabilities. There's already a DAC in the iPhone BUILT IN. What Apple needs to do is hook up the USB-C port with the DAC in the iPhone just as they hooked up the DAC with the audio jack. An audio cable must carry two phases to work: Earth and Signal. Since we would like to hear stereo sound we'd need Earth, left signal, right signal. That's IT! There's no need to do more or to add creepy external DACs. What the heck! Just hook up the damn USB-C port pins to the DAC in the iPhone and push the audio signal through that instead of the audio jack.

 

[rGiskard]

So. Instead of adding, Apple takes away utility. The waterproofing idiocy has been adequately shown to be specious through pointing out Samsung's (and others) waterproof jack, and the speaker holes in the iPhone. Bluetooth sound quality and lag are not getting better any time remotely soon, and an external DAC for phones just clutters things up. But the other part I'm not seeing is pass-throughs for those who listen and charge at the same time. Y adapter? How many adapters do I have to buy to use my phone the way I use my phone now?

Well said, and yes, proprietary Apple adapters are what really drove the change. Apple's sales are lagging. Since the iPhone 7 will be essentially the same phone as the 6s except for the dual lens camera on the Plus size, then it's easy to predict next gen iPhone sales will be in the crapper. There's also the lack of rumors regarding an improved display for the 4.7 incher, meaning it will likely have the same crappy low res screen which looks pathetic compared to every other high end smartphone on the market.

Thus in a transparent move of desperation, Apple now try to make up for lost iPhone sales by forcing totally unnecessary adapters on their users. The MacBook's single USB-C port was likely the trial run for this business tactic.

Jobs's Apple also used a lot of proprietary connectors, but he could at least justify their use by pointing to superior technology. Not so with removal of the audio jack, which demands more expensive headphones with built-in DACs. Unless the headphones are crazy expensive they won't have a DAC of comparable quality to the one currently included on iPhones.

The bozos have now taken over Apple completely.

 

[Mac 128]

Well said, and yes, proprietary Apple adapters are what really drove the change. Apple's sales are lagging. Since the iPhone 7 will be essentially the same phone as the 6s except for the dual lens camera on the Plus size, then it's easy to predict next gen iPhone sales will be in the crapper. There's also the lack of rumors regarding an improved display for the 4.7 incher, meaning it will likely have the same crappy low res screen which looks pathetic compared to every other high end smartphone on the market.

Thus in a transparent move of desperation, Apple now try to make up for lost iPhone sales by forcing totally unnecessary adapters on their users. The MacBook's single USB-C port was likely the trial run for this business tactic.

Jobs's Apple also used a lot of proprietary connectors, but he could at least justify their use by pointing to superior technology. Not so with removal of the audio jack, which demands more expensive headphones with built-in DACs. Unless the headphones are crazy expensive they won't have a DAC of comparable quality to the one currently included on iPhones.

The bozos have now taken over Apple completely.

Funny ... after reading your post, I was thinking the same thing about MacRumors.

 

[kas23]

Possible help on this: get a toothpick and GENTLY insert it and try to remove lint. Not joking; it makes a huge difference. Hope that helps!

OMG. I tried your suggestion and it really helped! It's like a new phone. I really had to scrape in there with a tweezer, but eventually I started pulling all sorts of crap out.

 

[Larry-K]

Just like the floppy disc, people will bemoan the removal of the traditional headphone jack...but in time, ALL other smartphone makers will follow Apples lead.

Why?

 

[manu chao]

The way Apple has made choices lately is strange.

If they are using USB-C in the MB (and I believe the MBP and the MBA are going that way, eventually), why not also use it for the iPhone/iPad?

Or if Lighting offers more advantages vs USB-C, why not use it in their laptops?

Lightning is slimmer and a bit more robust. Laptops aren't thin enough yet for this to matter.

 

[irontiger82]

I have a feeling that Lightning will still be on the next 2 iphone generations including this one obviously. Or if they just surprise us with a USBC port on the iphone7 then wow. That'll be amazing. For Apple to move to USBC from lightning without the 3.5 mm jack is way to short. Also, yes they love making profit on proprietary accessories. We would love an all in one solution but that is not going to happen.
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The retina macbook uses USB-C because the way it's designed only gave it enough space for two ports, and it made more sense to use a USB port for charging than to use a magsafe that would only act as a charger. I don't believe USB-C was even out yet when Apple switched to lightning, and if it was it was pretty barebones in what it could do. I assume the watch charger has something to do with helping keep water out of the watch.

I think the real issue is the amount of different ports that exist that people use. HDMI, HDMI mini, HDMI micro, display port, mini display port, USB, USB mini, USB micro, USB-C, VGA, ethernet, firewire, thunderbolt, and that's not even close to all of them. The real issue is we need a port that can handle everything, so that instead of having to rely on computers that are loaded with an over the top amount of ports, instead have just a few that are the same that we can connect anything/everything we need to with, but without needing adapters. Maybe some day.

Agreed. So many unnecessary wires that can be combined into one and think about the amount of waste it will reduce.

 

[Rigby]

I don't get it. Intel doesn't need to add digital-audio capabilities

No, but they have worked on a number of improvements of the existing USB-C audio standards. In an industry presentation earlier this year, they mentioned (quoting from my own notes):

- More recent audio specs (e.g. additional codec configurations)
- Simplified device discovery to make headphone controllers easier and cheaper to implement
- Improved power management

The latter is important because replacing the 3.5mm jack with a digital port will intrinsically reduce battery life (since in addition to the DAC/amp in the headphones, the USB controllers in the phone and headset have to be powered). One improvement that was mentioned is a way to turn off the headset's microphone if it isn't being used so the controllers and phone don't have to waste energy processing a return audio stream at all times.

That's IT! There's no need to do more or to add creepy external DACs. What the heck! Just hook up the damn USB-C port pins to the DAC in the iPhone and push the audio signal through that instead of the audio jack.

Which, of course, would make dropping the 3.5mm jack even more pointless ...

 

[Abazigal]

I have a feeling that Lightning will still be on the next 2 iphone generations including this one obviously. Or if they just surprise us with a USBC port on the iphone7 then wow. That'll be amazing. For Apple to move to USBC from lightning without the 3.5 mm jack is way to short. Also, yes they love making profit on proprietary accessories. We would love an all in one solution but that is not going to happen.
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Agreed. So many unnecessary wires that can be combined into one and think about the amount of waste it will reduce.

In reality, what happens is that we will simply have one more adaptor to carry around.

My school is still using VGA projectors with VGA cables, though some of the newer projectors have HDMI slots. I bought my own hdmi cable to use with my Apple TV. Our pupils buy their own laptops which stopped including VGA ports and it's funny when they want to present on a project and lack an adaptor and the classroom only has a VGA cable.

I don't see my school hopping on to USB-C anytime soon. If and when the school starts supplying laptops with USB-C ports, it just means another adaptor to keep around.

Likewise, if you connect your laptop to a hub, it doesn't do away with the need for cables. The other end still has an array of Ethernet, HDMI, USB and whatever other odd cables you have jutting out. This arrangement just makes it easier for you to connect everything to your laptop, but ultimately reduce the total number of cables used.

Ironically, it's wireless solutions like AirPlay mirroring which help do away with cables and adaptors, because I just project my iPhone, iPad or MacBook directly to the whiteboard without worrying about whether I have the right connection. That's why I think people are asking the wrong questions when they ask about whether the iPhone should sport a lightning port or a USB-C port. The correct question should be - when will the iPhone be completely free of the need for cables?

 

[thingstoponder]

I don't care what Apple or Intel says. I WON'T be buying any phone that does not include a headphone jack.

HAHA.

I guess you're not buying any new flagship in the coming years then.

 

[SeaFox]

Just like the floppy disc, people will bemoan the removal of the traditional headphone jack...but in time, ALL other smartphone makers will follow Apples lead.

Just because you're first and everyone follows your doesn't mean you're going in the right direction.
Reminds me of a commercial I saw once...

 

[dilbert99]

I'm guessing they would make the MB port lightning if not for the fact that nothing will be compatible with it, namely accessories and peripherals down the road when most PC makers switch to USB-C. iOS devices can still afford to have lightning port without too much user backlash simply because most good mobile accessories has to support iPhones to make money, making sure the lightning port won't have much incompatibility issues.
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Yes, but most people won't be trying to charge their phones in a pool, but a good number will probably want their phone to be usable for audio in the water.

Do headphones work under water?

 

[ENduro]

I'm not a fan of this replacing 3.5mm jacks on devices but at least this is a standard connector unlike Lightning. Both suck but this sucks less.

 

[Xiroteus]

And where is the "I will switch to Samsung" crowd now?

They will just do the same in time anyway.

 

[calaverasgrande]

And where is the "I will switch to Samsung" crowd now?

we are already researching Android models. Gosh I can actually get a model with microsd card slot, AND a headphone jack. And I also wont be getting that stupid "This cable hasn't been certified by Jon bloody Ive to work with your iphone" error message.
An iphone with no headphone jack is useless to me.

 

[Gudi]

Gosh I can actually get a model with micro-sd card slot AND a headphone jack.

Don't forget to mention a curved display AND a stylus. How cool is that? Woow!

 

[irontiger82]

In reality, what happens is that we will simply have one more adaptor to carry around.

My school is still using VGA projectors with VGA cables, though some of the newer projectors have HDMI slots. I bought my own hdmi cable to use with my Apple TV. Our pupils buy their own laptops which stopped including VGA ports and it's funny when they want to present on a project and lack an adaptor and the classroom only has a VGA cable.

I don't see my school hopping on to USB-C anytime soon. If and when the school starts supplying laptops with USB-C ports, it just means another adaptor to keep around.

Likewise, if you connect your laptop to a hub, it doesn't do away with the need for cables. The other end still has an array of Ethernet, HDMI, USB and whatever other odd cables you have jutting out. This arrangement just makes it easier for you to connect everything to your laptop, but ultimately reduce the total number of cables used.

Ironically, it's wireless solutions like AirPlay mirroring which help do away with cables and adaptors, because I just project my iPhone, iPad or MacBook directly to the whiteboard without worrying about whether I have the right connection. That's why I think people are asking the wrong questions when they ask about whether the iPhone should sport a lightning port or a USB-C port. The correct question should be - when will the iPhone be completely free of the need for cables?

True. Good info about VGA adapters since I have not been in school in such a long time. I would think schools would at least be up to DVI connections. It'll be a slow progress. It may even be wireless as well, but whatever or however it's projecting or charging, it'll need to be connected on the other end (ie. charging pad) to an outlet.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

I see Steve Wozniak has now said it would be a mistake for Apple to remove the audio jack. Too bad he's not in charge of Apple instead of that glorified accountant Tim Cook (who is more interested in cashing in $100 million bonuses than doing anything innovative at Apple).