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The new Moto Z phone doesn't have an analog headphone jack built in. This is the second high-end Android phone to be released recently without one; Chinese manufacturer LeEco also released one. According to a video by The Verge, the Moto Z will come with a plug-in adapter to let you use analog headphones with the USB C port on the phone.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/6/10/11900992/moto-z-specs-no-headphone-jack
On the plus side, the Moto Z will support "Moto Mods", backpack modules that attach via strong magnets. Available mods will include battery packs, better speakers, a micro-projector, and "style" mods that are essentially just phone cases. http://www.motorola.com/us/moto-mods
Note: There are rumors that Apple is planning to get rid of the analog headphone jack on the iPhone 7. And the iPad Pro already offers the "Smart Connector Port" so there is speculation that it may show up on the next iPhone.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 11 2016, @07:55PM
I sense a plot to destroy all things analog.
At least the japanese people seem to have their head on straight: they're still using cassette tapes (and faxes, see http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34667380 [bbc.com] for details).
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 11 2016, @08:58PM
https://www.eff.org/issues/analog-hole [eff.org]
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Hairyfeet on Sunday June 12 2016, @05:54AM
Sigh its got nothing to do with the "analog hole"...its fucking Apple envy. All the damned phone OEMs want to copy Apple and since Apple is dropping jacks that means getting rid of every port they possibly can. That means shit batteries, no headphones, probably no MicroSD, everything they can lose to make the thing as close to a sheet of silver paper they will do. And yes TFA says they aren't doing it because of size...its not its about appearance as much as it is actual thickness and I wouldn't be surprised if another company tops it with a phone with NO I/O, just a thin slick looking device with wireless charging and BT for headphones. Gotta get ahead of Cupertino ya know!
But the nice thing about android is you have choices and don't have to buy these stupid things. Personally I'll be sticking with BLU phones, they have great prices, plenty of Android models to choose from, and most importantly for me they're built like tanks and take a hell of a lot of abuse. Oh and unlike this thing they all have headphones, MicroSD, user replaceable batteries, all of which make them worth more to me than a dozen of these apple wannabes.
ACs are never seen so don't bother. Always ready to show SJWs for the racists they are.
(Score: 2) by kazzie on Sunday June 12 2016, @06:00AM
Sigh its got nothing to do with the "analog hole"...its fucking Apple envy. All the damned phone OEMs want to copy Apple and since Apple is dropping jacks that means getting rid of every port they possibly can.
Except that Apple hasn't done so yet: they're trying to pre-empt them here.
(Score: 2) by Hairyfeet on Sunday June 12 2016, @11:22AM
But we already know its coming, as dropping what they consider "legacy" ports has been SOP for Apple since Jobs came back.
What is sad is how all these wannabes keep ripping off Apple while ignoring the rotting elephant in the room which is if we wanted Apple we'd buy Apple and that many of us do NOT want a locked down silver slip of a phone. I mean how many here would be happy to buy a phone that went the opposite direction and instead of the "we have to make it a sliver!" made it thicker so you could have better battery, enough cooling you could let those new ARM octocores really stretch their legs, with a choice of AOSP or the latest Android OEM to boot? But instead most simply ape what Apple does or in this case what Apple is gonna do.
ACs are never seen so don't bother. Always ready to show SJWs for the racists they are.
(Score: 2) by Tork on Sunday June 12 2016, @02:43PM
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈 - Give us ribbiti or make us croak! 🐸
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 12 2016, @07:38AM
literally a hole
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 12 2016, @12:13AM
Or on a smaller scale, a plot to render a whole lot of earphones and home speakers obsolete. I know I won't be buying a phone with no audio jack. I use it all the time!
(Score: 3, Insightful) by opinionated_science on Saturday June 11 2016, @09:01PM
I bought a Moto. They said "we will keep it updated". They ditched it after less than 3 months.
Screw motorola, and all manufacturers that can't seem to understand we want our devices to last until they break, not through software decay...
(Score: 1) by r1348 on Saturday June 11 2016, @09:32PM
Which one was it? My 2014 Moto G went from KitKat, to Lollipop, to Marshmellow.
(Score: 2) by opinionated_science on Saturday June 11 2016, @10:35PM
Moto-E 2nd Gen , 4G. Stuck on Android 5.1, security April 2016.
Seriously, we need consumer protection that all operating software is immediately made FOSS for any hardware, if not supported.
We might see companies spring up to support stuff, and prevent FOSS's ing for major $CORPS.
But the artificial degradation of consumer hardware needs to be countered.
Free Market, let me know when it gets here!!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 12 2016, @09:50AM
I got one of those. The problem is they rely on your network to push the update. They rolled out in India first. It took about 3 months to get to TalkTalk in the uk.
Motorola took a while, but came through. Much zipper. The marshmallow buzz to sign into wifi is a pain, but let's me know when I'm walking past a pub / coffee shop.
(Score: 1) by r1348 on Sunday June 12 2016, @10:11PM
Sorry to hear that, but if it's your thing, there's a Cyanogenmod 13 builf for your phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e-2015/orig-development/rom-cyanogenmod-13-moto-e-lte-t3329100 [xda-developers.com]
(Score: 2) by opinionated_science on Sunday June 12 2016, @10:28PM
thanks. When it's out of warranty, perhaps I'll take a punt. Does netflix work with cyanogenmod? That's the only thing I keep no-rooted devices for...
(Score: 1) by r1348 on Sunday June 12 2016, @11:14PM
Yes Netflix works fine. AFAIK the only think not working properly on rooted devices is Google Wallet: I cannot make payments from my phone if I link directly to my credit card, but I have no problems if I link my Paypal account (which itself is linked to the very same credit card...)
(Score: 1) by r1348 on Sunday June 12 2016, @10:15PM
Also, it seems your device got the Marshmallow update, but only in selected regions: http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/12/09/motorola-says-the-moto-e-2015-is-getting-marshmallow-after-all-just-not-in-the-usa/ [androidpolice.com]
(Score: 3, Informative) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Saturday June 11 2016, @09:48PM
Intel Proposes Replacement of 3.5mm Audio Jacks with USB Type-C [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by archfeld on Saturday June 11 2016, @10:40PM
What does that do to non CPU based music equipment and such that still uses the analog plugs and work just fine. Am I going to have to buy a new amp to support a USB plug ? My guitar has a large analog plug that uses and adaptor to a small analog plus so I can plug myself into headphones or my sound card etc.
For the NSA : Explosives, guns, assassination, conspiracy, primers, detonators, initiators, main charge, nuclear charge
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 11 2016, @10:57PM
Use the adapter to break the c usb port.
In the morning more than half the people on the train have earplugs plugged into their phone or tablet. Perhaps Moto have underestimated end user requirements in this case.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Wierd0n3 on Sunday June 12 2016, @04:49AM
a adapter cord would be like $5 once demand goes up. in the mean time....
https://www.amazon.com/iNINJA-TM-External-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B01F8S03KU/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1465706862&sr=1-8&keywords=usb-c+headphones [amazon.com]
(Score: 2) by Appalbarry on Saturday June 11 2016, @11:48PM
Have not read TFA, but have to ask: assuming they'll only put one USB port on the phone, what happens if you need to charge at the same time as listen?
(Score: 2) by butthurt on Sunday June 12 2016, @01:26AM
You thank them for including that one USB port?
You get the inductive charging module, if they offer one?
You get the headphone output module, if they offer one?
You listen through your Bluetooth toothbrush?
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Sunday June 12 2016, @12:42AM
Listening to music is about 50% of my phone usage, either taking a hike, going for a bike ride, or using a bluetooth speaker to play while I cook/read/fap/whatever. Then it's prolly 30% poker, 10% messaging, and everything else misc.
If you decide I have to buy special headphones to use my phone then I'm just gonna laugh and walk away.
Recent research has shown that 1 out of 3 Trump supporters is a stupid as the other 2.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 12 2016, @10:03AM
... and in a couple of year's time, you'll be begging them to accept your money because your current phone will have been bricked for who-knows-what reason and the market will only contain these phones you currently despise since the only thing anyone cares about is shiny baubles.
After all, why dazzle them with substance when you can dazzle them with style...
Free market FTW
(Score: 2) by steveha on Sunday June 12 2016, @03:46AM
A comment I have frequently seen on discussion boards: "Stop making thin phones, and give me a phone with a whole lot of battery life." Okay then: add a battery pack Mod, preferably one with Qi wireless charging. Maybe even carry a spare one. This "Mod" technology will give all those commenters what they said they want.
I want to see an oscilloscope Mod. Use the phone for display and data collection, put the sampling in the Mod. I'd also like a multimeter [wikipedia.org].
I also wonder if the first practical "medical tricorder" will be a phone with one or more medical Mod packs.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 12 2016, @09:59AM
You can do an oscilloscope mod yourself you just use the mic. Just need to get the voltage / ampage into the right range, and cut-outs if the inputs go out of spec Which is easier to do then you think, a faulty cap can make a sizable bang. Suggest an led, with a reset switch - just use a resistor fuse if you don't care about blowing up your fone. Limited range to 44 khz, but that might be good enough. Did this with Soundblaster Pros back in the day.
(Score: 2) by steveha on Sunday June 12 2016, @03:56AM
I'm not wild about the idea, but it might actually be a net win if it means we get another USB-C port on the phone. I just checked, and the Moto Z just has one [gsmarena.com]. (I presume that since it says "port" rather than "ports" that there is just one.)
It seems possible that someone might make a "Moto Mod" that includes an ordinary headphone jack, as well as extra batteries.
I'm certain that Apple is eager to get rid of the analog headphone port. They can't charge anyone money for using it, and that's one of the reason why those little credit card readers plug in to the analog headphone port. (Another reason: only one version of the reader is needed to work on all phones.) I'm definitely not thrilled at the thought of headphones that only work on Apple phones or only work on non-Apple phones; I'd prefer less lock-in, not more.
And on that note, I'd be happy if there were a standard for "mod" backpacks like this. I'll bet that when Samsung does something like this, the Moto Mods won't work with Samsung phones and vice versa.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 13 2016, @07:13AM
This is a crazy scheme... we have nothing to benefit from doing away with headphones. Anyone who wants digital can use a USB DAC already, and everyone else can just use their headphones. Bah!