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

While the consensus is that Apple will remove the 3.5mm headphone jack on new iPhones (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/21/2016-iphone-to-feature-minor-changes/) unveiled next month, in favor of an all-in-one Lightning connector (http://www.macrumors.com/2015/11/27/iphone-7-no-3-5mm-headphone-jack-lightning/) for audio output, charging, and accessory connectivity, Intel continues to position USB-C as the open standard of the future for digital audio.





(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2016/08/iPhone_lightning_USB_C.jpg)


At IDF 2016 (http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/intel-developer-forum-idf/san-francisco/2016/idf-2016-san-francisco-agenda.html) this week, CNET (http://www.cnet.com/news/intel-expects-usb-type-c-could-help-kill-the-3-5mm-audio-jack/#ftag=CADf328eec) reports that Intel architect Brad Saunders addressed the USB Type-C Digital Audio (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/04/28/intel-replace-headphone-jack-usb-c-audio/) specification due this quarter, noting that its improved power management for USB headphones and other new features "will really make USB Type-C the right connector for audio."





Apple has adopted USB-C on the 12-inch MacBook, but new iPhones are expected to retain the proprietary Lightning connector in lieu of the open standard. USB-C, meanwhile, continues to see wider adoption in popular Android-based smartphones like Google's Nexus 6P and Samsung's Galaxy Note 7.





Apple has equipped its mobile devices with proprietary connectors for over a decade, including the 30-pin dock connector used for iPhone, iPad, and iPod models between 2003 and 2012. Apple's notebooks, beyond the 12-inch MacBook, are also equipped with a proprietary MagSafe connector for charging.





For that reason, it is likely that Apple will continue to favor Lightning over USB-C for at least the foreseeable future.

<div class="linkback">Tags: Intel (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/intel/), USB-C (http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/usb-c/) </div>
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Source: Intel Touts USB-C as Future of Digital Audio as Apple Set to Ditch Headphone Jack (http://www.macrumors.com/2016/08/17/intel-usb-c-right-connector-digital-audio/)