Sony upgrades Android O phones with premium wireless audio
The MDR-1ABT is one of Sony’s high-end headphones that incorporate LDAC encoding. Image: Sony
Future Android O phones may be getting a much needed audio upgrade when it comes to wireless headphones. This will be all thanks to Sony’s contributions to the development of a new operating system.
Google has revealed that Sony’s LDAC wireless audio encoding format is being included into the Android O mobile operating system as one of the many upgrades and fixes, reports Engadget.
LDAC is able to send three times the amount of data through existing Bluetooth technology than typical formats. This means that more detail and better sound quality can be achieved on a wireless headphone.
But phone makers won’t need to pay a single dime for including LDAC, as it will be part of Android O upon release. However, LDAC is currently limited to Sony headphone models such as the MDR-1000X.
Other headphone makers may need to pay a licensing fee to utilize the technology. Additionally, most makers may not be inclined to include LDAC outside of their high-end offerings.
Nonetheless, it’s a step forward to achieving better sound quality on wireless audio devices. Once this has been solved, the next step would be creating longer lasting batteries that are small enough to fit inside headphones and earphones. Alfred Bayle/JB
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