Intel Proposes To Use USB Type-C Digital Audio Technology

[6Foot2]

Link: Intel Proposes to Use USB Type-C Digital Audio Technology

 

USB Type-C has a number of chances to become the standard for data and charging connector for smartphones and tablets running either Android or Windows. However, in the long-term future, Intel wants USB-C to be even more universal (and therefore pervasive) than it is going to be, which is why at IDF Shenzhen part of one of the talks evolved around using Type-C for audio.

 

Audio receptacles on PCs and mobile equipment are virtually the last remaining analog interfaces of modern devices, requiring certain techniques to maintain a high audio quality and remove interference. Intel proposes to replace things like 3.5 mm mini-jack with USB Type-C which will help to add features to headsets and will simplify connections of multi-channel audio equipment to various gadgets. This is not the first time a company has proposed to replace analog audio on PCs and mobile devices, but so far, nobody has succeeded due to the ubiquity of 3.5mm. Since the industry may still not be ready to go all-digital, there seems to be a backup plan...

[enjay]

I saw that too (BetterCloud daily email?) and my first two thoughts were:

1 - that could get expensive if we have to re-cable all classroom speakers, or buy adapters to convert USB-C to 3.5mm (at which point, power might become a problem)

2 - how would I connect my phone to play music in my car?

 

I won't comment on the order in which these thoughts came to me...

[sted]

nice idea BUT somewhere along the line you have to convert to an analogue signal as speakers are inherently analogue devices (cone dosent just move between 2 positions (bar dubstep)) and the 3.5mm jack works so it does seem a bit unnecessary maybe it could replace hdmi/network etc so all your entertainment system / pc devices have one common interconnect cable

[enjay]

nice idea BUT somewhere along the line you have to convert to an analogue signal as speakers are inherently analogue devices (cone dosent just move between 2 positions (bar dubstep)) and the 3.5mm jack works so it does seem a bit unnecessary

True. I think the idea behind it is moving the point at which digital becomes analogue, away from the device and in to the headphones. This simplifies what is necessary on the device, making manufacturing simpler and allowing the thing to be smaller - not so relevant which phones, but there's presumably benefit for tiny wearable tech (although BlueTooth is possibly a better way for sound-producing wearables to go...)

[sted]

True. I think the idea behind it is moving the point at which digital becomes analogue, away from the device and in to the headphones. This simplifies what is necessary on the device, making manufacturing simpler and allowing the thing to be smaller - not so relevant which phones, but there's presumably benefit for tiny wearable tech (although BlueTooth is possibly a better way for sound-producing wearables to go...)

but then your headphones need to have batteries and signal processors etc rather than just being a cheap(ish) pair of speakers and a wire that if i loose/break its annoying not expensive

[LeMarchand]

but then your headphones need to have batteries and signal processors etc rather than just being a cheap(ish) pair of speakers and a wire that if i loose/break its annoying not expensive

 

Or....

 

[enjay]

but then your headphones need to have batteries and signal processors etc rather than just being a cheap(ish) pair of speakers and a wire that if i loose/break its annoying not expensive

 

They could take power down the USB-C, presumably. They would be more expensive though, you're right. Of course, the devices should be cheaper on account of not having the processors onboard and the simpler manufacturing but I suspect it won't happen like that...