Google’s answer to a killer AirPods feature is going live on the Pixel 6 and 7 series
Google gave usthe latest Pixel Feature Dropin December, but it saved one of its most anticipated goodies for the New Year.Spatial audio, a next-gen surround sound effect for supported headphones, is rolling out now to the Pixel 6 and 7 series alongside theJanuary 2023 security update.
Spatial audio was popularized by Apple’s AirPods Pro, which simulate a multi-speaker surround sound environment. Google has been working on a direct competitor to this feature for months, and even started introducing code for it beginning with September’sAndroid 13 QPR1 beta, before disabling it again before the stable release. Now it’s back for good and ready for the mainstream with the January security patch. Sadly, this doesn’t include the Pixel 6a — just the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, alongside the newer Pixel 7 and 7 Pro flagships.
First spotted by Android expert Mishaal Rahmanof Esper.io, this change bringsa new Spatializer APIto Android that headphones can leverage to create a more robust sound stage. While it looks like support will be available for many earbuds and headphones, the best experience will (eventually) be offered by Google’s own Pixel Buds Pro, of course.
Google plans to debut head tracking through a firmware update to the Pixel Buds Pro later this month, asRahman went on to note. This is the feature that helped AirPods spatial audio catch on so quickly — the earbuds actually monitor your head movements and adjust the spatial effect to make it sound as though you’re moving through a room full of speakers.
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The Pixel Buds Pro, Google’s premium true wireless earbuds, offer a host of high-end audio features and will soon add head tracking with spatial audio.
The update is currently rolling out, but has not reached all eligible phones just yet. Depending on your carrier, it may take as long as two weeks for the January security patch to become available. you may check availability by going toSettings -> System -> System update, then tapping “Check for update” at the bottom of the screen.
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