Android 16 is getting a major hearing accessibility feature
Today, Google announced Android support for Auracast, and users with Auracast-supported smartphones can use them to connect their compatible earbuds or hearing aids to broadcasts via Bluetoot
With Auracast, high quality audio can be broadcasted by one device and picked up by multiple other devices without having to pair them. Auracast is usually supported by hearing devices, including earbuds, headphones, hearing aids and cochlear implants.
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Although Auracast has significant assistive capabilities for those with hearing impairments, this technology has real-world use cases for everyone. Imagine you’re in a sports bar and want to tune into a muted TV playing the primetime game. Connect your Auracast-compatible smartphone and earbuds or hearing aids, then use your phone to find the TV broadcast in your Bluetooth settings.
The long-term goal is eliminating the need to access your settings to tap into an Auracast broadcast. To achieve this goal, the Google Pixel 9 family will be the first smartphones to support scanning QR codes to connect to Auracast audio streams.
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In addition to bringing Auracast to Android, as an extension to its partnership with Bluetooth SIG to use the latest LE Audio technology, Google announced that it’s bringing to Pixel 9 devices the ability to connect to broadcasts conveniently through QR codes, removing the need to go into the phone’s settings.
To start using Auracast, users must pair LE Audio compatible hearing aids from companies like GN Hearing and Starkey with their Samsung Galaxy devices with One UI 7 and Android 15 or Pixel 9 devices running the Android 16 beta, and tune into Auracast broadcasts from compatible TV streamers or public venues.
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