Google Pixel Phone embraces the Headphone Jack

Google’s long-rumored Pixel phones have finally been announced alongside a raft of other products including the Google Home smart assistant and a 4K version of the Chromecast. When it announced the new Pixel and Pixel XL, Google alluded to something we all know deep down in our hearts — having a headphone jack is a good thing! So, Google took a subtle shot at Apple for removing the headphone jack from the iPhone 7.

The Pixel phones are Google’s latest attempt at making in-house hardware. Whereas the Nexus phones it offered in previous years are officially dead, the Pixels are being marketed as a fully Google-run operation. As it was running down all the new features of the Pixels, Google threw up a graphic that said, “3.5mm headphone jack satisfyingly not new.”

Pointing out that your phone has a headphone jack hasn’t been necessary for the better part of a decade when the first few Android phones launched without a standard 3.5mm jack. They had adapters, which is exactly what the iPhone comes with. A lot of people are not pleased about the change. Talking about the headphone jack is Google’s way of burning Apple just a little.

Of course, it’s not just Apple that Google is poking fun at. It’s also inadvertently burning Motorola, which it sold to Lenovo a few years back. Motorola released its new flagships the Moto Z and Moto Z Force a few months ago, and they both lack headphone jacks. They come with a USB type-C to 3.5mm adapter instead.

The day will come when it’s feasible to ditch the analog headphone jack, but Google doesn’t think it’s today!