USB type-C ready to retire the old audio jack

USB Implementers Forum has released the official specifications of the new standard for transmitting digital audio signals via the USB Type-C port

Not only iPhone7. Thanks to the new technical specifications of USB Type-C, also other manufacturers will be able to get rid of the old 3.5 mm jack and, consequently, reduce the thickness of their devices and save on power consumption in general, as well as improve the quality of sound that from analog becomes digital.

The survival of the traditional audio jack had already had its days numbered since Apple had decided to replace it, back in 2012, with the Lightning connector. A choice criticized by many because it forced users to use earphones compatible only with the products of the Cupertino company. A differenza di Motorola che, invece, aveva anticipato i tempi affidandosi già al nuovo standard USB Type-C su alcuni modelli di smartphone. Presto, quindi, lo vedremo a bordo di tutta una serie di dispositivi dagli smartphone (e similari) alle cuffie, dalle console per videogiochi alle soluzioni di realtà virtuale.

I tanti vantaggi dell’USB type-C

USB-type-C-audio.jpgFonte foto: Web

USB type C sostituirà il jack da 3,5mm

Sono in molti ad accogliere con entusiasmo l’arrivo delle specifiche ufficiali dell’USB Audio Device Class 3.0. I vantaggi, come spiega Intel, sono notevoli. L’addio al vecchio jack audio consente, innanzitutto, di semplificare l’architettura interna dei dispositivi, eliminando tutti i componenti analogici e i convertitori DAC (Digital Analog Converter), ossia dei convertitore digitale-analogico. In fact, the USB Audio Device Class 3.0 specification provides for the use of an MPU (Multi-function Processing Unit) chip that enables audio synchronization, digital-to-analog conversion and noise cancellation as well as other no less important functions. USB Type-C basically allows you to transfer both digital and analog audio signals. Moreover, compared to the 3.5mm jack, the new connector not only reduces power consumption, but also introduces very advanced features such as, for example, voice recognition.