This component facilitates the connection of a card-reading device, typically manufactured by Square, to a mobile device operating on the Android operating system. It enables the device to communicate with the reader, thus processing transactions. As an illustration, this allows a vendor using an older Square reader, designed with a headphone jack connection, to utilize that reader with a newer Android phone lacking such a port, via a USB-C or other compatible port.
Such connectivity is vital for businesses dependent on mobile point-of-sale systems. It ensures continued operability of existing hardware as mobile device technology evolves, thereby protecting the investment in established card readers. Historically, the evolution of mobile devices has frequently rendered peripherals obsolete due to changing port standards; this ensures compatibility across different generations of technology, avoiding costly replacements.