USB Type-C, Intel may replace the 3.5mm jack

The Type-C USB connector seems to be a promising candidate to become the universal standard for data transfer and charging operations for electronic devices of the future. At the Intel Developer Forum in Shenzhen, Intel showed a development perspective to make it even more versatile connector, even using it for audio transmission in place of the common 3.5mm jack.

The abandonment of the 3.5mm jack is not a new idea, there already seems Apple is thinking for some time and probably in a future version of the iPhone or iPad will see him disappear to make way for a universal Lightning connector.

Intel is instead finalizing the specifications for the technology USB Type-C Digital Audio that is expected to release later in the quarter. The Santa Clara company has not disclosed many details, but merely to explain that they are working to support the new connector, expand the list of recent and specific audio characteristics, improve energy management and simplify the detection and configuration to ensure that future headphones can be simple to use as they are today. Meanwhile, for the short term, in Intel's intentions there is only the will to implement the USB-C analog specifications by simply replacing the jack with the USB Type-C.

The transition to digital control of diffusion and acoustic amplification devices may be interesting, also opening the way for accessories with more features (from an evolution of headphones with microphone and volume controlo already on the market to advanced earphones with detection pulse for fitness enthusiasts) and the ability to draw power directly from the device to which you connect.