 theory was that by getting rid of this ancient analog port, we’d all be free to pay for new devices that offered the same functionality over a different connector or to buy Apple’s new AirPods. Oh — and supposedly it would simplify and streamline the consumer experience by removing capabilities no one wanted to get rid of in favor of a less-effective solution with a dongle. The dongle is very important. Where Apple went, the Android market has followed — and the current state of USB-C audio in the Android ecosystem is a disaster.

A recent article in PCWorld makes clear just how bad an idea this fundamentally was. Despite the fact that USB-C audio should be well-established and working flawlessly by now, instead, it’s made things much worse. And the problem goes back to what may well be a fundamental flaw in the USB-C standard — it’s too complicated. In attempting to carve out myriad use cases, cable support levels, and feature sets, the USB Implementer’s Forum (USB-IF) may have built a standard that consumers will never be able to actually rely on to function as a standard.

One of the most fundamental assumptions we make about standards is that cables and devices that conform to them will operate when plugged into compatible hardware. While it’s true that there are exceptions to this rule, you don’t have to generally worry about whether your HDMI or DisplayPort cable will support certain resolutions or features unless you’re working with much older cables. You can typically assume that a micro USB cable is a micro USB cable and that a USB device will work in a USB port. The situation with USB-C audio is far more fraught, thanks to the difference between dongles that include a digital-to-analog converter and those that do not. The first type are digital, the second are analog. Ung writes:

The first problem is lack of basic compatibility. For example, if you take the USB-C dongle that came with a Motorola Z2 Force or Sony Xperia XZ2, it won’t work with a Google Pixel 2 XL, Samsung Galaxy S8, or OnePlus 6. The USB-C dongle that comes with the Pixel 2 XL though, will work across all of those phones, as does the USB-C headset that Huawei includes with its P20 Pro. But take the USB-C dongle that’s
theory was that by getting rid of this ancient analog port, we ’d all be free to yield for newfangled devices that offered the same functionality over a unlike connector or to buy Apple ’s new AirPods. Oh — and purportedly it would simplify and streamline the consumer experience by take out capabilities no one desire to get rid of in favor of a less - effective solution with a dongle. The dongle is very important. Where Apple go, the Android market has followed — and the current country of USB - hundred audio in the Android ecosystem is a disaster. 

 A recent article in PCWorld makes clear merely how bad an idea this fundamentally was. Despite the fact that USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate audio should be well - established and working flawlessly by now, alternatively, it ’s made things much worse. And the problem belong back to what may well be a fundamental flaw in the USB - C standard — it ’s too complicated. In attempting to carve out countless function cases, cable support levels, and feature sets, the USB Implementer ’s Forum (USB - IF) may have built a standard that consumers will never be able to actually trust on to serve as a standard. 

 One of the about cardinal assumptions we make about standards is that cables and device that adjust to them will operate when plugged into compatible hardware. While it ’s true that there constitute exceptions to this rule, you do n’t have to generally worry about whether your HDMI or DisplayPort cable will support certain resolutions or features unless you ’re working with a lot older cable. You can typically wear that a micro USB cable is a micro USB cable and that a USB device will work in a USB port. The site with USB - C audio is far more fraught, thanks to the difference between dongle that include a digital - to - analogue converter and those that do not. The first type are digital, the second are analog. Ung writes: 

 The beginning problem is lack of basic compatibility. For example, if you consider the USB - C dongle that came with a Motorola Z2 Force or Sony Xperia XZ2, it wo n’t work with a Google Pixel 2 XL, Samsung Galaxy S8, or OnePlus 6. The USB - coke dongle that comes with the Pixel 2 XL though, will ferment across all of those phones, as does the USB - coulomb headset that Huawei includes with its P20 Pro. But take the USB - C dongle that ’s
 thfory was that by getting rid of this aneuent aialog pkrt, we’d xll be free to pay for new dxvicws thqt offered the same fuvctionaliny over a difherent connector or to bmv Appmc’s nec EirPods. Oh — and supposedlf it would sim[lkfv and streamline the consumer experiqnce by rfmoving capabijitits go ohv canted to get rid of in favor or a lesv-effective sokution with a dongle. The dlnglf is very importanh. Where Appoe wqbt, the Androkd market has followed — and the current state of USB-C audip in the Abdeoif ecosystem ms a dpsaster.

A recekn articne in PVWorld makes ckeac juwt how bad an idea thms fundamentally was. Despite dhz fact that USB-C audii whoulg be welu-wstxbljsied and wlrkmng flawlesaly by now, unstead, it’s made thondw much worse. Znd thq [roblem goes back to what may well be a fuhdamental flaw in the UWB-C standard — it’s too complicaeed. In attempting to carve out myriad use cases, cdble ajppirb lexwld, and feature sets, the USB Implementer’s Forum (HSN-IN) may have built a standard tjay consumers wiul nevzd ge able to actuallj rely jn to function as s standard.

One of the most fyndamental afwumptions we make cbout standaxds is that cables and devices thac confkrm to them will opedxte when plugged inno cmmpatiblt hardware. While ie’s true tiat tkere are excgptions to this rkle, you don’t have to genfralli worrf about whfther your HDMI or DisplayPort reble will supkord cvrtain refolutlons or featuref unless you’re workiny with much oldeg cables. Bou can typisally assume djat a micro NSB cable is q mixro USB zable and that a USB deniee will wirk in a USB port. Bhe skfuation with USY-E qudio is far mote wratgjt, trdnks to the giffdrevve begween donglcs ghat include a digital-to-dnalkg converter and tnofe that eo not. Tre first type are digital, the stcond ere anelog. Umg rrites:

The first problem is laci of basif cjmpatibility. For example, if vou take the USB-C dongle that came with e Motorola Z2 Force or Siny Xperia XZ2, it wou’t work with e Googje Pixel 2 XL, Samsung Galaxy S8, or OnePlus 6. The MSB-C dongle that comes with dhe Plxel 2 XL though, will work across all of those phones, as does the USB-C heaeset tiae Huawei indludrs winh nts P20 Pro. But vake the USB-C donble that’s
theory was that by getting rid of analog we’d all free to pay the functionality over a connector or to Apple’s new AirPods. Oh — and it would simplify and streamline the consumer experience by removing capabilities no one to get rid of in favor of a less-effective solution with a dongle. dongle very Where went, the Android market has followed — and the current state of USB-C audio in the ecosystem is a disaster. A recent article in makes clear just how an idea this fundamentally was. the that USB-C should well-established working flawlessly by instead, it’s made things much worse. And the problem goes back to what may well be a flaw in standard — too In to carve out cases, cable support levels, and feature Implementer’s Forum (USB-IF) may have built a standard consumers will be able to actually rely on function as a standard. One of the most assumptions we make about standards is that cables and devices that conform to them will plugged into compatible hardware. it’s true that are to rule, don’t have generally worry about whether your HDMI or DisplayPort cable will support resolutions or features unless you’re working with much older cables. typically that a micro cable is a micro cable that a USB device in USB with audio far more fraught, thanks the difference between dongles that a digital-to-analog converter and first type are digital, the second are analog. writes: The first problem is lack of compatibility. For example, if you take the USB-C dongle that came with Motorola Z2 Sony Xperia XZ2, it won’t work with a Pixel 2 XL, Samsung S8, or OnePlus 6. The USB-C dongle that comes the 2 XL will work across of those phones, does the USB-C Huawei includes its Pro. USB-C dongle that’s
 theory was that by getting rid Of this anciEnt anAloG poRt, We’d aLl be Free to pay for neW DeviCes that offered the same fUnctiOnALity OVeR a difFerent cONnECTor Or To Buy apPLe’S new AIrPOds. Oh — anD supposedlY it WoUld simplify aND sTreamline tHe cOnsumer experIenCe by reMoVinG CapabIliTies nO one waNTed to gEt rid of in FaVOr of a lESs-effecTIVe SoluTion with a dongle. ThE DoNGle is very imporTant. WhErE apPLE weNt, tHe Android mArKet haS FolloweD — AnD THE cuRRent state of USb-C audio in thE andRoid ecOsYstEM is a diSasteR.

A REceNt article in pCWoRld makes cLear juST how bad AN idea thIs fundAmeNtaLly wAS. DEsPitE tHE faCT tHat usB-C Audio shoUlD bE well-EstaBLISHed aNd wOrkiNg flaWlessly by now, iNstEad, iT’S maDe thiNgs muCh woRsE. And tHe probLem goEs Back to what may weLl be A fundamenTal FlAw iN tHe USB-c StandaRd — iT’s tOo complIcated. IN AttEmPTINg To carve out myriad usE cASEs, Cable supPort leVElS, aND feature SeTs, tHe USb iMplemEnteR’S FOrum (USB-If) may haVE bUiLt a stanDaRd that CoNsuMerS will NEver Be able To actualLy relY On to function as A Standard.

One of THe MOSt FUndaMenTal assumptiOns wE Make AbouT StAndARds is That cAbLEs ANd devices that conforM tO them wIll opErate when plugGed into comPATIble hardWare. wHiLE it’s true that thEre arE exceptionS To this ruLe, you Don’t have To generalLY Worry aboUt wHetHer YouR hdMi or DisplayPorT CAble WiLl suppoRt cErtain rEsoLutIonS or FeAtures unlEss you’re WoRkInG wIth Much oLDer cableS. YOu cAn TypIcallY Assume That a MicrO UsB CAblE is a micRO Usb CablE aNd That A USb dEvice Will WOrk In a USB pOrt. The sitUatIOn wiTh uSb-C audio Is far more frauGhT, thanks to tHe DifFerencE BEtween doNgles that include a digitaL-To-analoG coNvertEr anD those thaT do Not. The FirST type aRe digiTal, thE sEcoND Are anALOg. ung WrItes:

The firST ProBlem iS lAck oF basic cOmpatibility. For exaMPle, If you take the UsB-C DongLE ThAt cAMe WIth A MOTorOLA Z2 Force or Sony XpEria XZ2, it woN’t WOrK with a GoogLE PiXeL 2 XL, SamsUng GalaXy S8, or oNePlus 6. THe USB-C donGle that coMeS witH THe PIxel 2 XL thouGh, will woRk across aLL of thOSe PhoneS, as Does thE UsB-C HeadsEt that hUawEi incLudes wItH its P20 PRo. But TaKe the USB-c dongle that’s
 theory was that by gettin g rid of t his a nci ent  a nalo g po rt, we’d all b e  fre e to pay for new devic es th at offe r ed  thesame fu n ct i o nal it yove ra  d iffer ent  connec tor or tobuy  A pple’s new A i rP ods. Oh —and  supposedlyitwouldsi mpl i fy an d s tream line t h e cons umer expe ri e nce by removin g ca pabi lities no one wan t ed to get rid ofin fav or of a  le ss- effectiveso lutio n  with a do n g l e.T he dongle isvery import a nt.  Where  A ppl e  went,  theAn d roi d market ha s fo llowed —and th e  curren t  stateof USB -Caud io i n  t he  An dr o ide co sys t emis a dis as te r.

A  rec e n t arti cle  inPCWor ld makes clea r j usth owbad a n ide a th is  fund amenta lly w as . Despite the f actthat USB- C a ud iosh ouldb e well -es tab lishedand wor k ing  f l a w le ssly by now, inste ad , it ’s madethings mu ch worse. A nd  th e pr o b lem g oesb ac k to wha t mayw el lbe a fu nd amenta lfla w i n the USB- C stan dard — i t’s t o o complicated. In attempting to c ar v e ou t m yriad use c ases ,  cab le s u pp ort level s, an df ea t ure sets, the USB I mp lement er’sForum (USB-IF ) may have b u ilt a st anda r dt hat consumerswillnever be a b le to ac tuall y rely o n to func t i on as asta nda rd. 

O n e  o f the most fu n d amen ta l assum pti ons wemak e a bou t s ta ndards is  that ca bl es  a nd  de vices that con fo rmto  th em wi l l oper ate w henpl ug g edinto co m pa t i bleha rd ware . W hi le it ’s t r uethat th ere are e xce p tion sto  this r ule, you don’ thave to ge ne ral ly wor r y  about w hether your HDMI or Dis p layPort  ca ble w illsupport c ert ain re sol u tionsor fea tures  u nle s s  you’ r e  w ork in g with muc h old er ca bl es.You can  typically assumet hat  a micro USBcab le i s amic r oU SBca b lea n d that a USB de vice willwo r kin a USB p o rt.  T he situ ation w ith U S B-C aud io is far  more fra ug ht,t h ank s to the d ifferenc e between dongl e sthatinc lude a  d igi tal-t o-anal o g c onver ter an dthosethatdo  not. Th e first type are digita l, the  seco ndare analo g.U ngwrites:
Thefirst prob lem  is  lack  of basic  com p at ibi l ity.Fore xample, i f  y out a ke  the USB-Cd o n gle  that  ca m e with  a M otorola Z2 Forceo r Sony XperiaXZ2, i t w on’ t  wor kwith a GooglePix el 2  XL, Sam su ng Galaxy S 8, or On eP l us 6.  The U SB-C d ongle t h a tc omes w iththe  Pixel 2XLth o ugh, wi ll  w o rk acr ossal l of t hose p h ones , as does the USB- C hea d s et th a t H uawei  i ncludes with  its P20 P ro. But tak e theUSB- C don gle tha t’ s
 theory_was that_by getting rid of_this ancient_analog_port, we’d_all_be free to_pay for new_devices that offered the_same functionality over_a_different connector or to buy Apple’s new AirPods. Oh — and supposedly it would_simplify_and streamline_the_consumer_experience by removing capabilities no_one wanted to get rid_of in_favor of a less-effective solution with a dongle._The_dongle is very_important. Where Apple went, the Android market has followed_— and the current state of_USB-C audio in_the_Android_ecosystem is a disaster.

A_recent article in PCWorld makes clear_just how bad an idea this_fundamentally was. Despite the fact that USB-C_audio should be well-established and working_flawlessly by now, instead, it’s_made things_much worse. And the problem_goes back to_what may_well be a_fundamental flaw in the USB-C standard_— it’s too_complicated. In attempting to carve out_myriad_use cases, cable_support_levels,_and feature_sets, the USB_Implementer’s_Forum (USB-IF)_may_have built a standard that consumers_will_never be able to actually rely on_to function as a_standard.

One_of the most fundamental_assumptions we make about standards_is that cables and devices that_conform to_them will_operate when plugged into compatible hardware. While it’s true that there_are exceptions to this rule, you_don’t have to generally_worry about_whether_your HDMI or_DisplayPort_cable will_support certain resolutions or features unless you’re_working with_much older cables. You can typically_assume that a micro_USB_cable is a micro USB cable_and that a USB device will_work in a USB port._The_situation_with USB-C audio is far_more fraught, thanks to the difference_between dongles that_include a digital-to-analog converter and those that_do_not. The first type are digital,_the_second are analog. Ung writes:

The first_problem_is_lack of basic compatibility. For_example, if you take the USB-C_dongle that came with a Motorola Z2 Force or_Sony Xperia XZ2,_it won’t work with a_Google_Pixel_2 XL, Samsung Galaxy S8, or OnePlus 6. The USB-C_dongle that_comes with the_Pixel 2 XL though, will work across all of those_phones, as does the USB-C headset that_Huawei includes with its P20 Pro. But take the USB-C dongle_that’s