So, you guys know how much I love my music.. Well, I’ve borked my iPod charger (And she who must be obeyed has flogged my other!) and as such am currently without music on the way into work.
The Great Combining
As you ALSO know if you follow me on Twitter, I’ve picked up one of the cute little INQ Mini 3G social mobiles! Well, I thought, I know, I’ll get me a bit of extra memory, whack a few tunes on it and listen away – BUT OF COURSE, I’ve forgotten my headphones (The ones that come with the device) and I can’t use any others… You know why? Because the headphones that come with the INQ Mini have a Mini USB connector…. I understand why INQ took that decision, but seriously… The good will generated by fitting in a 3.5mm stereo jack… VAST! What about incorporation a 3.5mm stereo jack within the USB plug? Or Vice Versa.. Odd, I know…Hey – I could be onto something there!
Anyway, I went searching for alternatives… and it turns out that there are many!
So, we have The T-Mobile Version
So yes, many options to turn USB into 3.5mm but not HERE on my desk!
Do you have a device with a non standard audio plug on it? How does that make you feel?
This debate has been going on for ages. Most manufacturers are coming to terms with adding a 3.5mm on their devices, one way or another.
INQ are pretty new to the hardware market, but would be wise of them to learn quickly.
A (Have you put the gaffa tape away, yet!)
They are new and I think they’re “on it” insomuch as the whole listening and learning thing is going.. A couple of tweets and I had an email from Caroline from INQ – She had read my concerns and asked me for feedback – I would DIE if I had an email like that from one of the large telco / manufacturers.. (sadly) So, It is a fail, but it’s a “watch this space, too” I think / Hope.
S
For me, lack of 3.5mm headphone jack is a gamebreaker. The recessed jack is why I stayed away from the original iphone, and the odd micro-USB things are why I’ve avoided a number of handsets (mainly form HTC). I’ve now got the HTC Hero, but only after a wander to the shop to check for myself that it had the jack.
No 3.5mm jack = no purchase.
It’s encouraging to see INQ and 3UK making paths to actually listen and respond to users the way they have so far. And I hope in the future every device comes with a 3.5mm jack, as this is the norm and minimal expected from “every” manufacturer. HTC and Sony Ericsson have seemed to acknowledge that now also, losing their own propriety connectivity and moving away from Micro / Mini USB for audio out – that will as planned (and agreed by most) become the de-facto for charging every device in the near future.
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