Hear This! Android Phones Are Getting a Big Upgrade for Hearing Aids
Great news for Android users, especially those who rely on hearing aids! Google just dropped some exciting news: Android phones are about to get a whole lot more accessible thanks to Auracast, a cutting-edge Bluetooth technology.
What's Auracast, and why should you care? Imagine being in a busy train station or at a concert. It can be tough to hear announcements or enjoy the music, right? Auracast changes that. It allows your Android phone to act as a direct link, sending audio broadcasts straight to your compatible hearing aids or earbuds. Think of it as a personal, crystal-clear audio feed, cutting through all the background noise.
Google emphasizes that this isn't just about blasting audio into your ears. You can actually apply your personalized hearing aid presets to these Auracast streams. That means you get audio tailored to your specific hearing needs, making the experience even better.
When can you get it? The initial rollout will be on Samsung Galaxy phones with One UI 7 and Google Pixel 9 phones running the latest Android 16 beta. So, keep an eye out for those updates! It'll play nicely with compatible LE Audio hearing aids from brands like GN Hearing and Starkey.
QR Codes for Easy Access: Pixel 9 users get an extra perk! Connecting to Auracast broadcasts will be as simple as scanning a QR code. No more digging through settings – just point, scan, and listen. Talk about convenience!
Android 16: More Than Just Audio But wait, there's more! The Android 16 beta isn't just about audio enhancements. Google's also baking in some other cool accessibility features.
For users with low vision, Android 16 will offer the ability to outline text, making it significantly easier to read. This simple tweak can make a huge difference in readability and overall user experience.
Plus, there's a new "Local Network Protection (LNP)" feature. Google says this will give you, the user, more control over which apps can access devices on your local network. Privacy and control? Always a win!
Android 16 is slated to arrive around June. Get ready to update and experience these awesome new features! This is a big step forward in making technology more accessible and user-friendly for everyone.
Source: TechCrunch