Sony’s New Headphones Let You Share Audio Wirelessly
▼ Summary
– Sony is adding audio sharing and Google’s Gemini Live AI assistant to its WF-1000XM5 earbuds and WH-1000XM6 headphones via firmware updates.
– Audio Sharing with Fast Pair uses Bluetooth LE Audio’s Auracast to let two headphones connect simultaneously to an Android phone for shared listening.
– The update enables private group broadcasts where multiple people can connect using a QR code or Google Fast Pair on compatible Android devices.
– Both headphone models receive enhanced system security features and support for digital assistants with head tracking over Bluetooth LE Audio connections.
– WF-1000XM5 earbuds gain improved Find Hub tracking, allowing individual earbud location and the ability to disable tracking without the charging case.
Sony is rolling out significant new capabilities for its top-tier noise-canceling headphones, introducing wireless audio sharing and integration with Google’s Gemini Live conversational AI. These enhancements arrive via firmware updates for the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds and the newer WH-1000XM6 headphones, accessible through the Sony Sound Connect mobile app. This move strengthens the feature set of these popular audio devices, offering users more flexibility and connectivity options.
A standout addition is the Audio Sharing with Fast Pair feature, powered by Bluetooth LE Audio’s Auracast technology. If you own a compatible Android phone, such as select Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, or OnePlus models, you can now connect two pairs of wireless headphones at the same time. This makes it simple to share music or podcasts with a companion. For larger groups, you can even set up a private broadcast; others can join by scanning a QR code or using Google Fast Pair. Google had previously confirmed in early September that it was extending Android’s BLE Audio support to various Sony headphone models.
Beyond audio sharing, the firmware updates bring other improvements. Both headphone models will see upgrades to unspecified system software security features. They also gain support for using digital assistants and head tracking functionalities while maintaining a Bluetooth LE Audio connection. It’s important to note that after installing the update, you will need to re-pair your headphones with your device for these new features to activate correctly.
For owners of the WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds, there is an added bonus concerning device tracking. Support for Google’s Find Hub network is being expanded. You will now be able to locate the left and right earbuds independently of each other. Furthermore, a new option allows you to completely disable the Find Hub tracking feature without needing to use the charging case, a step that was mandatory before this update.
(Source: The Verge)
