Android Beta 16 from Google includes Auracast support.

      The newly released Android 16 beta build for developers will feature support for Auracast, allowing earbuds and hearing aids to connect to both public and private audio streams using the Bluetooth LE standard. A demonstration of Auracast at CES 2024 highlighted its potential benefits in situations where public service announcements may not be heard clearly, especially by those with hearing difficulties. We have been anticipating this technology for some time, and the inclusion of Auracast support in the Android 16 beta marks a significant advancement for widespread adoption.

      This update will enable compatible devices — such as hearing aids from GN Hearing or Starkey, as well as earbuds like the JBL Tour 3 Pro — to receive audio broadcasts from compatible TVs or public transmitters, specifically when using Samsung Galaxy devices with One UI 7, Android 15, or Google Pixel 9 devices running the Android 16 beta. Hearing aid users will have their presets automatically applied to the broadcasts. Additionally, Google is introducing the ability to connect to broadcasts via a QR code, eliminating the need to navigate through device settings. This QR code feature will initially launch on Pixel 9 devices.

      As support for Auracast expands to more products, its potential applications in daily life are significant. For example, it can provide enhanced flexibility when watching TV — whether through the arrangement of Auracast-enabled speakers in a room or allowing multiple users to listen to the same broadcast with different language options or settings for enhancing intelligibility. It can also facilitate connections to specific audio streams at airports for boarding or, in unfortunate circumstances, for delay notifications. Importantly, you’ll be able to use your own headphones, earbuds, or hearing aids to access these streams, provided they support Auracast. The inclusion of Auracast enhances auditory accessibility, which we fully support.

      John Higgins serves as the Senior Editor of A/V at Digital Trends, overseeing coverage on all aspects of audio and video.

      In related news, Qualcomm has unveiled its latest audio chips for wireless earbuds and headphones, aimed at improving gaming experiences and spatial audio. These new chips enable head-tracked spatial audio, low-latency connectivity for mobile gaming, lossless audio for authentic CD-quality sound, and compatibility with Bluetooth LE Audio, which is set to replace older Bluetooth standards in the near future. The S3 and S5 Gen 2 chips are currently under evaluation by manufacturers, and Qualcomm anticipates that the first products featuring these chips will be available by the second half of 2023.

      The new S3 and S5 chips are designed for the audio side of Qualcomm's evolving Snapdragon Sound platform, which was introduced in 2021. Snapdragon Sound functions as a certification of features and performance rather than a technology itself. Through this brand, Qualcomm indicates what users can expect when combining a wireless audio product with a smartphone, as long as both display the Snapdragon Sound emblem. This also assures users that Qualcomm has independently confirmed the efficacy of these features.

      In other news, Chromecast with Google TV has received a software update marking its transition from Android 10 to Android 12, demonstrating that it's still relevant despite being two years old. There may be some confusion regarding terminology, but it has officially updated to "Android TV OS 12" as per the changelog for version STTE.220621.019.A2, and it now includes the July 2022 security patch.

      Finally, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced the completion of the new LE Audio specification, paving the way for a new generation of wireless headphones, earbuds, speakers, and hearing aids that comply with the updated standard. Bluetooth LE Audio is fully backward-compatible with previous Bluetooth versions, ensuring that new earbuds or headphones will work with existing phones or computers. The new standard also introduces several capabilities, such as Auracast for audio sharing and the LC3 codec, which enhances audio quality while minimizing latency and prolonging battery life. To make the most of these new features, both the transmitting device (like a smartphone) and the receiving device (such as headphones or earbuds) must support them.