Audio Jack Moving On

0

USBFlashDriveThe 3.5mm audio jack could soon be a thing of the past. Intel and its partners are working on a new USB-type connector to replace it.


Audio jacks, first used to plug headphones into the Sony Walkman, were revived as a way to handle audio in PCs, mobile phones and now, ear buds. At a recent Intel Developer Forum, architects explained a coming USB audio standard that could replace the 3.5mm audio jack, reports CNET.

Work underway “will really make the USB Type-C the right connector for audio,” said one Intel exec.

The new connector would consume less power and take up less room, which is critical for mobile phones. The new spec is due this quarter, according to the account.