Bluetooth LE Audio & Auracast™: The Future of Wireless Audio
Bluetooth has transformed the way we listen to music, make calls and connect wireless devices. Now, a new generation of Bluetooth audio technology is expanding those possibilities even further.
Bluetooth LE Audio introduces a new audio architecture based on Bluetooth Low Energy, while Auracast™ broadcast audio adds an entirely new way for compatible devices to share sound with multiple nearby listeners. Bluetooth® Technology Website
What Is Bluetooth LE Audio?
Traditional Bluetooth audio primarily uses Bluetooth Classic. LE Audio operates using the Bluetooth Low Energy radio and introduces new capabilities for wireless audio devices.
One of its important technologies is the LC3 — Low Complexity Communications Codec. Bluetooth SIG describes LC3 as a high-quality, low-power codec designed to give manufacturers greater flexibility between audio quality, power consumption and device size. Bluetooth® Technology Website
LE Audio also introduces Multi-Stream Audio, allowing multiple synchronized audio streams between compatible devices. This can be particularly useful for true wireless earbuds and other multi-device audio experiences. Bluetooth® Technology Website
What Is Auracast™?
Auracast™ is one of the most exciting capabilities introduced through Bluetooth LE Audio.
Instead of establishing only a conventional point-to-point Bluetooth audio connection, an Auracast transmitter can broadcast audio that an unlimited number of compatible receivers within range can join. Bluetooth® Technology Website
The experience can work somewhat like selecting a Wi-Fi network: a compatible device can discover available Auracast broadcasts, show them to the user and allow the user to select the desired audio stream. Bluetooth® Technology Website
Where Could Auracast Be Used?
Auracast opens the door to several new wireless-audio experiences:
- Shared listening: Multiple people can listen to audio from the same compatible source using their own compatible earbuds or headphones.
- Public televisions: Users could listen to audio from compatible TVs in airports, gyms, waiting areas and other public spaces.
- Conferences and events: Venues could provide broadcast audio directly to visitors' compatible listening devices.
- Accessibility: Auracast is designed to support compatible hearing devices and could improve access to audio in public locations.
- Multiple-language audio: Compatible venues could potentially make different audio streams available for different listeners. Bluetooth® Technology Website
Why Does This Matter?
Today, Bluetooth audio is largely thought of as a private connection between devices—for example, a smartphone and a pair of earbuds.
Auracast introduces a different concept: Bluetooth audio can also become a broadcast medium.
Imagine entering a waiting area and listening to a silent television through your own earbuds, joining the audio stream at a conference, or sharing the same music with several friends without passing around a pair of headphones.
These are some of the experiences that Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast are designed to enable.
Does Every Bluetooth Device Support Auracast?
No.
LE Audio relies on capabilities introduced with Bluetooth Core Specification 5.2, but simply seeing “Bluetooth 5.2”, “5.3” or a newer version on a product does not automatically mean it supports LE Audio or Auracast. Manufacturers must specifically implement the relevant technology and profiles. Bluetooth® Technology Website
Therefore, customers interested in these features should specifically check whether a smartphone, television, earbuds, headphones or other device lists LE Audio and/or Auracast support.
The Future of Wireless Listening
Bluetooth LE Audio represents an important evolution of a technology billions of people already use every day.
From more flexible wireless earbuds to shared listening, public broadcasts and improved accessibility, Auracast could change Bluetooth from something we primarily use for connecting one device to another into technology capable of connecting one audio experience to many listeners.
As more compatible smartphones, televisions, headphones, earbuds and public venues adopt these technologies, Bluetooth audio experiences are likely to become increasingly flexible and connected.
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