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

[RichTeer]

That's a good point about the DAC but I wonder what percentage of the average user would notice a difference.

Assuming they're using half-decent audio files (i.e., NOT MP3 or similar), I'd say a surprisingly high number will notice a difference. Granted, the number of people who will care or think it's worth the extra expense will be smaller.

I refuse to compromise on sound quality so all my audio is uncompressed. I recognize that I'm in the minority here!
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I do yes. I wouldn't go as far as to call myself a tree hugger or green nazi but pretty close lol.

Besides, that's what recycling depots are for!

 

[drewyboy]

Even if Tim says, "it's gonna be amazing product" during keynote?

Nope. Only will buy if he says "We're so excited to get this in your hands."

 

[nt5672]

I wouldn't mind losing the headphone jack as much if Apple switched to USB-C. At least it'd be a more universal standard than Lightning.

Does anyone know if either USB-C or lightening allows the phone to power the headphones? Or do we now have to wear batteries on our head also?

 

[mtneer]

Dongles are insanely profitable. They cost less than a dollar to manufacture in bulk and Apple turns around and sells each one for $29.99. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple raised the prices for a Lightning/ USBC - 3.5mm port to $49.99. Apple bought Beats last year for $3B, so they have to raise revenue to balance that payout.

 

[CarpalMac]

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

This, x1000. Even if Apples iPhone design team take a break from their vacation and decide to do some work, the best adaptor they could possibly come up with is going to be chunky in order to be able to receive my headphones jack. No thanks.

 

[tedwill]

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

I think the iPhone 7 will be the first of many phones going in that direction. Wired headphones will be USB-C or Lightning with better sound quality. Most of my headphones are bluetooth now.

 

[Smoovejayy]

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

You're clearly going to stay in the past.

 

[ValO]

Here's to hoping for a USB C connector starting with next year's iPhone.

I think you are on the wrong track. In a few years iPhones and iPads won' t have any ports at all. They are pushing the smart connector, blue tooth headphones and wireless charging next year. I guess the smart connector and upgraded versions of it, will be the only physical connection on idevices, in a few years.

 

[TimUSCA]

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

You will in a few years when every other manufacturer is following Apple's lead.

 

[TurboPGT!]

USB-C might actually create some buzz around this phone.

LOLOLOL. Among WHO?!?!? All those consumers that know what USB-C is?

Wow. This place is so out of touch and unrepresentative of the real world. Even more so than it was only a short time ago.

 

[ProjectManager101]

When Lightning was introduced, it was described as being the way forward for the next ten years. I wonder if it will see out the ten years or will something else replace it? Could Lightning be discarded in favour of wireless everything?

Do you remember Tomorrowland at Disney? Today is a funny look into the past.

 

[2010mini]

I'm not emotionally attached to 3.5mm audio jacks but I can foresee a lot of old headphones going into the landfill which will only take about 3 billion years to decompose.

They will still end up in landfills no matter what Apple does.

 

[CarpalMac]

You will in a few years when every other manufacturer is following Apple's lead.

And you base that assertion on what?

 

[definitive]

Maybe, but Apple wouldn't be making as much money selling universal USB cables for $20+ a pop, so there's no reason for them to switch.

Someone also said that Thunderbolt and Firewire were the future, but where are they now?

 

[Thunderhawks]

When Lightning was introduced, it was described as being the way forward for the next ten years. I wonder if it will see out the ten years or will something else replace it? Could Lightning be discarded in favour of wireless everything?

Lightning will be replaced by Thunder!

I don't think any audio technology will survive for 10 years any more.
Remember Firewire and FW 800, which lasted for 5 minutes (in tech terms)

Lossless may be able to be made into smaller file sizes, WiFi protocols getting faster and faster and eventually there will be free WiFi wherever we go and yes wireless in corded quality coming.

Apple's own solutions would have to be so much better than USB-C.

They'll have to cave in eventually.
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Do they ever use the word "amazing" NAAAHHH I've never heard that.

Something magical, we are very excited about!

 

[callea]

Apple sells usb-c to Lightning adapter.
It will be used to connect iPhones to new standard headphones.

 

[Shlooky]

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

Yes you will. Because once Apple makes the move to USB-C, others will follow.

 

[dwaltwhit]

Apple is going to surprise everyone by going to FireWire on the iPhone 7!

as long as its FW800, Im ok with it!

 

[Tech198]

"Apple's notebooks, beyond the 12-inch MacBook, are also equipped with a proprietary MagSafe connector for charging."

That is, until Apple replaces the Mesga-safe with USB-C on the Retina..I could see that coming as well..

So its confirmed after how many weeks of rumors about the existence of the headphone jack on new iPhone ?

*begins counting*

Doesn't make sense to a company to leave a jack on the phone, when pretty much all other phones out there have this on new handsets. for Samsung.. (as the major player)

No one else looks at OnePlus do they (they feel left out).

I've just confirmed too, will NOT be upgrading

 

[nope7308]

You're clearly going to stay in the past.

There's no school like the old school!

I still use a turntable and wear a mechanical watch; I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Born Again]

i'd stand behind apple if they got rid of lighting and went USB-C.

Think how convenient it would be that everyone could share the same charging cable?

Not to mention all the waste we'd save by not adopting another standard.

 

[MacOSXI]

A lightning to usb-c move would be nice !

Even more with the new MacBook Pro's coming with usb-c.

 

[Aldaris]

Lightning is more compact.

The thinner is the winner... I'm sure that's in a bloodhound gang song somewhere.

 

[Zirel]

Apple just saw the writing on the wall that portable hard drives and flash memory were the future, and nobody missed the floppy.

Portable hard drives were not a thing in 97. They only came much later.

Flash USB drives were not a thing until 2000 (and an extremely expensive 8 Megabyte IBM drive)

Apple knew that the future were CD's for software and Email for documents, not a resurgence of sneakernet with USB drives.

 

[shaunp]

If the 3.5mm jack 'has' to be ditched, then I would much rather it be USB-C than lightning as it's an industry standard. A lot of Android phones are now starting to use USB-C for charging, so I'd go with the flow on that one. Standard chargers, headphones, etc. Apple can still shove bluetooth headphones where the sun doesn't shine though as they require batteries, I'd much rather have a wired connection.