I don’t like where this is headed
Well, my fellow Android device friends, the day we dreaded has come. With the announcement of Google’s new Pixel 2 phones, the unthinkable has happened. Yes, Google has followed Apple and has removed the headphone jack from their latest flagship phone. It was rumored a few months ago that this might happen. I just didn’t want to believe it.
But here we are, no headphone jack on the Pixel 2. And it wouldn’t bother me so much if it was just missing on the Pixel 2, but featured on the Pixel 2 XL. Instead, both phones are missing it. Does this mean that means that Apple was right?
I for one don’t like this decision. I’ve already decided against the device, which is a bummer. I was really looking forward to this device. Looks like I need to take my Samsung 8 off of Swappa before it sells.
This also sets a dangerous precedent for other Android device makers. That message being, if Google is ok with removing the headphone jack, then so should we. Now, I don’t know about you but I don’t like where this is headed. On top of spending an ungodly amount of cash on that new shiny phone, we’ll need to spend more. The Pixel 2 starts at $649, the Google Pixel Buds are another $150. Meaning that you’re spending $900 on day one.
Not to mention that your favorite pair of Beats, Bose or Sennheiser headphones are rendered useless. Unless they’re wireless, then there’s no way to use them. That is unless some sort of adaptor is released (which likely will be).
Going further, I’m still confused as to why Google decided to go down this path. It wasn’t too long ago when Apple announced the iPhone 7 without the headphone jack, that Google ridiculed them for this. Fast-forward to today, where Google has jumped in the same bed as Apple and shunning corded headphone users. It even seems that this was planned for some time. That’s what I took away from Google product chief, Mario Quieroz, who spoke to Techcrunch on the matter.
“The primary reason [for dropping the jack] is establishing a mechanical design path for the future,” Google product chief Mario Queiroz told TechCrunch after the event. “We want the display to go closer and closer to the edge. Our team said, ‘if we’re going to make the shift, let’s make it sooner, rather than later.’ Last year may have been too early. Now there are more phones on the market.”
Of course, this also allowed them to introduce their own version of Apple’s wireless earbuds. A move that will no doubt bring in the cash, despite our frustration over it.
https://youtu.be/zpLVsR8cSFo
Looks like we’re being thrust into the future, regardless if we’re kicking and screaming. First Apple, now Google is onboard the “no headphone jack” party. And I doubt they’ll be the last. With two of the biggest names being the push, I’m sure we’ll see more phones that forgo the headphone jack.
It also means that I need to hug my Samsung 8 that much tighter, as the next version could very well be missing the headphone jack as well.
