Android 16 supports Auracast
Google has integrated Bluetooth Auracast into Android 16, allowing Bluetooth earbuds to connect to public channels to listen to announcements, for example.
With Bluetooth Auracast, you can listen to public announcements at the airport via Bluetooth headphones.
(Image: Bluetooth SIG)
Android 16 supports the Auracast Bluetooth function at operating system level. Google announced this in a blog post. If you own a Pixel 9 and download the latest beta of Android 16, you can already use Auracast.
Auracast is a Bluetooth function that enables one-to-many connections instead of a one-to-one connection as with the previous Bluetooth standard. A transmitter –, for example, a smartphone, laptop or television – sends audio data streams to any number of receivers, such as headphones, speakers or hearing aids, without having to pair with them individually. This is useful for announcements in public places, for example.
For this to work, you need compatible Bluetooth headphones. These usually come with special apps that can search for Auracast streams in the vicinity. You can save yourself this additional step if your cell phone natively supports Auracast. In this case, you can search for Auracast streams directly via the cell phone interface.
Native support simplifies access
However, only selected smartphones currently support Auracast natively. This will change in future when the Auracast function is integrated directly into Android. This relieves the burden on individual manufacturers and ensures that users no longer have to take a detour via apps to connect to an Auracast stream.
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Users of Android 16 will also be able to connect directly to a stream using a QR code. Google also wants to integrate presets for Auracast-compatible hearing aids at Android level, according to the blog entry. The final release of Android 16 is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025, while a minor release with new developer APIs is planned for the fourth quarter of 2025.
(dahe)
