Apple quietly releases USB-C to headphone jack dongle
It happened. Apple finally removed the headphone jack from the new iPad Pro models. Now, a single USB-C slot is the only physical port on the device.
The removal of the headphone jack means, if you want to listen to audio from your device, you'll need USB-C or bluetooth headphones — or you could buy the brand new USB-C to headphone jack dongle that Apple just quietly released.
Apple is selling the new USB-C to headphone jack dongle for $9.00 at the Apple Store right now. Interestingly enough, even though this accessory would be considered by many as crucial to the iPad experience, it didn't get mentioned on stage during the special media event today in Brooklyn, New York.
The headphone jack dongle will be the only way to connect legacy audio devices to the new iPad Pros. While the dongle is technically a universal plug (hence the name Universal Serial Bus), Apple says officially that the dongle's compatibility is limited to the new 11-inch and 12.9-inch tablets.
Alongside this USB-C to headphone jack adapter, Apple is releasing several other dongles. One example is the USB-C to SD card reader, which will be useful when Photoshop for iPad launches next year.
The headphone jack was likely removed to make the new iPads thinner, which they are. However, many consumers might be scratching their heads saying at what cost? Are we really expected to carry this silly little dongle everywhere?
