Google has silently launched a new USB-C headphone dongle which promises lower latency and longer playback times. The dongle is also slightly smaller than the existing USB-C dongle that Google sells on its online store for $9 and bundles with its second generation Pixel devices.

Google says the new dongle has 53 percent lower latency and on Pixel phones, it will offer 38 percent longer playback times. It is also 0.7mm thinner, 2.8mm shorter, and 0.4gms lighter.

The improvements have led Google to raise the price of the USB-C dongle to $12, a modest $3 increase from the older dongle that it sold. Apart from the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, the new adapter will also be compatible with other Android devices running Android Pie or higher.

Google is likely to bundle this new adapter with its upcoming Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL devices as well.

While Google might not bring back the headphone jack on its Pixel lineup, it is at least doing the next best thing — improving the USB-C adapter in any way possible. The company should also consider using a better DAC inside the adapter to deliver richer sound quality.