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Now everyone wants to kill the audio jack! (The 3:59, Ep. 97)

It's not just Apple; Intel believes USB type C will replace your 1/8-inch 3.5mm headphone jack. We talk about some of the buzziest announcements from Intel's developer conference.

Roger Cheng Former Executive Editor / Head of News
Roger Cheng (he/him/his) was the executive editor in charge of CNET News, managing everything from daily breaking news to in-depth investigative packages. Prior to this, he was on the telecommunications beat and wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal for nearly a decade and got his start writing and laying out pages at a local paper in Southern California. He's a devoted Trojan alum and thinks sleep is the perfect -- if unattainable -- hobby for a parent.
Expertise Mobile, 5G, Big Tech, Social Media Credentials
  • SABEW Best in Business 2011 Award for Breaking News Coverage, Eddie Award in 2020 for 5G coverage, runner-up National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award for culture analysis.
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Kent German Former senior managing editor / features
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
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Roger Cheng
Kent German

Et tu, Intel?

Your precious headphones may soon be irrelevant if the titans of tech have their way.

Apple is rumored to be excising the 3.5 mm audio jack in the next iPhone. Now, Intel believes the USB Type-C port could also be a suitable replacement.

Special guest Kent German and I talk about whether this means we need to buy new headphones, or forever have to carry dongles with us. It's one thing if Apple moves in this direction, but Intel's push revealed at its developer forum this week suggests Android phone makers will have the option to dump the audio jack.

We also talk about Project Alloy, a virtual reality headset with no wires. It may portend the future of VR gear, even if consumers won't see something like this for a while.

Lastly, we touch on a new tiny computer called Joule, and look at whether a prototype smart glass may mean the second coming of Google Glass.

The 3:59 gives you bite-size news and analysis about the top stories of the day, brought to you by CNET Executive Editor Roger Cheng, Senior Writer Ben Fox Rubin and Producer Bryan VanGelder.

Check out the extended shows on YouTube.

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