Apple patent shows wireless headphones with Lightning cable

An Apple patent application has surfaced suggesting that the Cupertino company is well prepared for the possible abolishing of the traditional 3.5 mm audio jack in mobile devices. As published by the US patent Office, the patent shows that Apple is planning on integrating radio, audio, and data onto one cable.

The transmitted audio in this case would require two parallel signals that can switch seamlessly to wireless when disconnected. Meanwhile, the Lightning connector will be used to power or recharge headphones and other similar audio devices.

Whether or not Apple will be abandoning the 3.5 mm audio jack on the next major iPhone release is still up in the air, but the consistent rumors strongly suggest that its removal is necessary for a thinner design. Chinese manufacturer LeEco has already unveiled a smartphone called the Le 2 without the staple 3.5 mm port.

Online petitions against the removal of the universal audio jack have reached over 300,000 signatures. The USB consortium is in the process of developing an audio-over-USB standard for devices with USB Type-C ports.