Modern smartphones can use their USB-C ports for a variety of uses, including connecting microphones, audio dongles, and augmented reality.
For the majority of smartphone owners, the port at the bottom of their device is just for charging. Most people hook their phone up to a charger at work or before bed, but ignore it the rest of the time. If you’re feeling spicy, you may connect a dongle for wired headphones or the aux cord in the car. But here’s the thing: your iPhone or Android device is a computer, and its charging port is USB-C, which means it has all the same functionality as your work computer.
Go ahead, try it out. Plug in a USB flash drive, a game controller, or a little LED lamp. All of them will work. This might not blow your mind — most readers probably know what a USB port is — but the applications are a lot more wide-ranging than you may think, and there are a variety of uses for your phone’s charging port. From content creation and sharing your internet connection to indulging in some VR, here are just a few of the most useful things you can do with your smartphone’s USB port.Connect USB microphones to your phone for content creation
If you spend time on social media, you may have noticed that some content creators record using tiny microphones clipped to their clothes or (incorrectly) held in the hand. These are lavalier microphones, similar to those used on late-night television, and a good one can massively increase the quality of audio you record. Given their popularity among creators, several brands now make lavalier microphones designed for mobile content. They most often connect to the phone with a wireless USB-C receiver.
My personal choice has been the Saramonic Air, which I’ve been testing since late June. I’ve tested dirt-cheap alternatives that sound horrible, along with more expensive options from DJI and Rode, which sound excellent. There are a number of sub-$100 wireless microphone kits from those brands, which also appear to be well-reviewed, but I haven’t tested them. The Air holds its own against other premium kits. It includes a wide array of accessories such as two wind muffs and a charging case, though you can get a version without the two more traditional line mics.
You don’t need to be a creator to find use for a portable wireless microphone.
