And people pretend that Bluetooth is a replacement for the headphone jack. Not only is it a janky pain in the ass, but it can't be shared with a companion (watching a movie on a plane, for example).
We ARE going backward, partly because spineless apologists defend anti-consumer behavior instead of standing up for themselves and better.
Sure, it takes up some space. But so does having to carry dongles. If Apple made an iPhone with the jack back again and a couple percent smaller battery, I'd take the jack. The phones has already been getting thicker every year ever since 6 (the 2nd last iPhone so far with a jack), so that's no argument.
Same reason I prefer a wired multi-channel audio system throughout my house. Yes, wiring speakers is not fun and not everyone can do it - especially renters. But there are never sync issues, quality problems, or issues with connectivity. Same goes for wired internet over WiFi.
Wireless tech is pretty great. But when it comes to simplicity and reliability, I'll take wired any day.
Just so you know... some of us are still fighting the loss of the headphone jack: I am now on my third first generation Google pixel phone, 90% for the headphone jack (which I use often with my Shure SE 425s... and actually used today while sharing with my daughter via a $4 3.5mm aux splitter while on a plane) and 10% because today's "regular" phones are all LARGER than 2016's "XL" phones.
I have large hands, and the OG Pixel is the largest screen I can fully use one-handed comfortably. I've used the OG Pixel XL for about 3 months now (because I already had one when my OG Pixel died, RIP) and I still hate the size.
Aside: the screen on all the Pixel 3a display models I've checked out the past few months (I keep getting tempted to finally buy one but) is tinted yellow and has serious burn in issues.
This makes me wonder if there is a way to customize Android's screen resolution so the top of the phone is just ignored (I don't mind if my phone has a large bezel, chin, or forehead).
We ARE going backward, partly because spineless apologists defend anti-consumer behavior instead of standing up for themselves and better.