Apple Patents Cutting 3.5mm Jack in Half

An anonymous reader writes with an article on a recent patent application by Apple. From the article: "Apple likes thin devices and considers the depth of the iPod, iPhone and iPad as critical component of the aesthetic appearance of a product and has been very aggressive in finding ways to trim fat from its portable devices: The 3.5 mm audio-connector stands in the way of future design improvements: Apple suggests to simply cut it in half."

Comments

I'm confused

[Minter92]

Is apple trying to patent an actual invention?

Re:I'm confused

[EraserMouseMan]

Steve wants to force you to buy a $20 adapter that costs $0.03 to manufacture.

Re:I'm confused

[Anonymous Coward]

just call it the iJacked your wallet

Re:I'm confused

[jo_ham]

You'll note that the patent (you did RTFA right? No, silly me, of course you didn't!) specifies that current connectors would be compatible with the port, but that either it would require a magnetic system to hold the connector onto the port, or a cover would have to be installed to hold the connector on, thus eliminating the need for an adapter since current 3.5mm jacks would work with it.

Re:I'm confused

[CProgrammer98]

RTFA much?

You;re the one that's wrong.
" Current jacks will fit the new port design, but since the port is cut in half and exposed to one side of the device shell, a traditional connector would simply drop out: Apple proposes a magnetic interface that would keep a thin audio connector in place"

Re:I'm confused

[jo_ham]

You need practice in reading comprehension I feel, like every second post on this whole story. If proof were needed that almost no one at slashdot reads the articles, this story is it, with 30 people immediately posting factually incorrect information that is addressed in plain english in the article itself.

Re:I'm confused

[strength_of_10_men]

...both old plugs and new plugs are going to fall out all the fucking time.

Jobs: Obviously, you're jacking it wrong

Re:I'm confused

[_0xd0ad]

Current jacks will fit the new port design

A "jack" is a female fitting. So is a "port".

jack noun
8 : a female fitting in an electric circuit used with a plug to make a connection with another circuit

[2]port noun
5 : a hardware interface by which a computer is connected to another device (as a printer, a mouse, or another computer); broadly : JACK 8

THEY MEAN EXACTLY THE SAME THING!!

In other words, whoever wrote that is a moron and failed to successfully explain what they meant.

I'm still not sure whether they meant that current jacks will fit the new plug design, or that current plugs will fit the new port.

Re:I'm confused

[JWyner]

Except, again, if you bother to RTFA, you'll note that the author clearly defines what he means by "jack" (i.e., plug), when he states "The audio jack consumes about 3.5, while the port and its ring add another 2.5 mm." Of course, I'm sure it's more fun to play Language Nazi than actually discuss the implications of the article...

Re:I'm confused

[thegarbz]

A "jack" is a female fitting.

So, where does the phrase "jacking off" come from?

Turning your own hand into a "female fitting"

Re:Not sure if I want this

[cervesaebraciator]

From the perspective of those who are likely to sell you the connector, that's a feature.

Jerks.

[Nationless]

Great.

After only recently being able to plug in most phones with the same USB cable and FINALLY having 3.5 jacks a standard on said phones, Apple now wants to go fuck with the standards.

Jerks.

Helps you insert it the right way round

[ljw1004]

Another advantage which they omitted from the article -- this invention will help you insert the plug the right way round.

With the current circular 3.5mm jacks, it's actually impossible to know whether you've rotated the plug correctly. Sure, you can try to figure out if you've got it right by listening to the resultant sound quality, but that's inexact and most people don't even have the equipment. Now with Apple's invention, everyone will be able to insert it with the right rotation -- first time, and every time.

Re:Not what I was expecting from the summary

[jo_ham]

No, the idea is for a surface mount 3.5mm port that a half-width plug will sit in flush, but a normal 3.5mm plug will sit in but be proud of the surface, both held in place by a magnet. The patent also specifies an optional cover to make it look more aesthetically pleasing (or as a structural element of the port, depending on magnet strength).

Re:Obvious?

[0xABADC0DA]

This invention halves the size of the jack, is compatible with all existing devices, and is less likely to break the device (pull on the headphone just pulls it away from the magnet instead of yanking the whole device). And nobody in 96 years thought of this solution.

This is exactly what patents are for. Rewarding the people that spend their dollars on research to improve things. It's a small but innovative idea, and gives Apple a small advantage over competitors. Stop eating the sour grapes and start inventing.

Re:Rotated

[Nerdfest]

The round design is more for the ability to implement a non-keyed plug and port that does not care about orientation. I would think Apple would be in favour of that more than most companies.

(Please excuse the traditional Apple joke, I couldn't help myself.)