Although Jon Hallsten lacked Apple’s billions, he did possess something perhaps more valuable: perseverance and inventiveness. The Magzet headphone adapter, which he invented, was more than just a product. It was a subtle act of engineering defiance, a quiet reminder that real innovation often begins far from corporate boardrooms and glossy launch events.
When Phil Schiller of Apple famously said that it took “courage” to remove the iPhone’s headphone jack, it provoked both ire and ridicule. For users, it meant paying for accessories they had never needed and juggling adapters. However, Hallsten was already developing something incredibly useful — a magnetic adapter that made wired listening smooth, secure, and stylishly straightforward — while Apple’s marketing team defended its minimalist decision.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Jon Hallsten |
| Brand | Magzet |
| Headquarters | Akron, Ohio, USA |
| Innovation | Magnetic headphone adapter with 360° reversible connection |
| Launch Year | 2015 (via Kickstarter) |
| Patent Strategy | Designed to bypass Apple’s MagSafe patent limitations |
| Recognition | Praised for blending design simplicity with clever legal innovation |
| Reference | https://www.fastcompany.com/3044180/the-inventor-of-these-magsafe-headphones-thinks-he-outsmarted-apple |
Magzet was brilliant because it was subtle. Hallsten developed a solution that stopped port damage and cable fraying, issues that millions of users had silently suffered, by enabling headphones to snap on magnetically and detach when pulled. It was especially inventive because it wasn’t limited to the ecosystem of a single brand. In every way, it was a closed-loop problem with an open-ended solution.
The magnetic MagSafe connectors for MacBooks were already patented by Apple engineers, preventing other companies from utilizing the same design concepts. According to Hallsten, the company’s patents were “beautifully crafted legal fortresses.” However, he literally managed to get through. Magzet’s 360° rotational attachment completely altered the geometry, whereas Apple’s design permitted two connection angles (0° and 180°). With remarkable clarity and accuracy, he circumvented Apple’s legal boundaries by making it infinitely reversible.
That design decision was especially clever from both a technical and philosophical standpoint. It represented what many users desired: unrestricted mobility, adaptability, and function. Hallsten quietly showed courage by offering something far more useful than a $160 pair of AirPods, while Apple talked about it.
Additionally, his work rekindled a long-standing discussion about what innovation actually entails. Although many saw Apple’s 2016 decision to do away with the headphone jack as a calculated move toward proprietary hardware, it was justified as a step in the right direction. Control was more important than bravery. In contrast, Hallsten’s magnetic adapter embraced compatibility and choice—values that had previously characterized Apple’s early design philosophy but had since been eclipsed by its market dominance.
Early adopters characterized Magzet as “surprisingly affordable” and “incredibly versatile” in their interviews. Users praised the fact that it operated without format friction on phones, laptops, and audio interfaces. It gained popularity among engineers and musicians who prioritized dependability over branding. Hallsten capitalized on the growing belief that technology should benefit people rather than confine them to systems by providing simplicity.
Naturally, Apple had a purpose for its vision. According to senior engineer Dan Riccio, the removal of the headphone jack made “valuable internal space” available for additional sensors and cameras. However, that explanation seemed flimsy to many, particularly coming from a dongle-selling company. Hallsten’s quiet counter-design showed how even small-scale inventors could solve real problems that tech giants left unsolved by choice.
Independent designers have challenged corporate giants over the past ten years by reimagining details that have been overlooked rather than by matching their budgets. Magzet is a member of that family. Craftspeople, not corporations, share the philosophy of restraint, which is the source of its elegance. The adapter improved wired rather than trying to replace wireless. In a time of disposable devices, it promoted longevity, respected user habits, and safeguarded devices.
This subdued disobedience resonated outside of the engineering community. It reflected a broader cultural fatigue with forced upgrades and closed ecosystems. Products like Magzet, the Nothing CMF Headphones Pro, and Rode’s NTH-50 gained popularity because they struck a balance between affordability and authenticity as consumers started to value adaptability once more. One magnetic click at a time, Hallsten’s device earned attention rather than demanding it.
It’s interesting to note that Beats, Apple’s own mid-tier brand, has followed suit. Recent models like the Beats Studio Pro, which many users have compared favorably to Sony’s XM5 and Bose’s QuietComfort series, represent Apple’s attempt to quietly compete in spaces it once dismissed. Even so, there is a clear contrast in the company’s reliance on branding over functionality. Hallsten’s Magzet was so appealing that it didn’t require celebrity endorsements.
In many respects, Magzet embodies the essence of what technology once stood for: connection, creativity, and curiosity. Its narrative demonstrates how creativity flourishes when it isn’t bound by quarterly profits. Hallsten’s magnetic design became a symbol of true ingenuity, while Apple’s story of “courage” became a cultural joke.
Hallsten not only resolved a mechanical problem by incorporating his 360° magnetic system, but he also subtly changed people’s perceptions of user-centered design. His invention served as a reminder to the sector that advancement is about improving the past rather than erasing it. It demonstrated to common users something incredibly straightforward but profoundly true: creativity and convenience don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
In recent years, as wireless audio continues to dominate, a growing subset of listeners has returned to wired solutions for fidelity and control. Hallsten’s invention has been given a second lease on life by this renewed interest. Magzet, a pragmatic declaration of independence made by people who value dependability over style, came to represent resistance against the disposable tech culture.
Jon Hallsten’s perseverance and creativity allowed him to accomplish what few people in today’s tech industry can: he outwitted Apple with accuracy and purpose rather than through marketing or legal action. His adapter connected people to a more straightforward, environmentally friendly design concept rather than merely reconnecting gadgets.
That quiet victory is especially satisfying to many. It demonstrates that small, human ingenuity can still shine in a giant-dominated industry and sometimes even outsmart the most powerful names in technology.