The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), which has driven innovation in audio for 20 years, has introduced a new ‘Auracast™ Broadcast’ based on the LE Audio architecture. Chuck Sabin, director of market development at the Bluetooth SIG, said, “Bluetooth Auracast™ Broadcast Audio will drive another massive shift in the wireless audio market, offering consumers new and creative ways to communicate in the interconnected world.”

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a non-profit organization that manages and oversees ^Bluetooth® technology standards, held a media conference at COEX Intercontinental on the 13th to introduce the 'Auracast™ Broadcast' technology and demonstrate the scenario for the first time in Korea.

LE Audio, based on Bluetooth LE (low energy), which improves interoperability for high sound quality and low power consumption, was standardized in 2022. Based on this, 'Auracast™ Broadcast' technology is a technology that can transmit audio without limitation to the number of audio receiving devices, including speakers and earphones, from audio devices such as smartphones, laptops, TVs, or public broadcasting facilities, unlike existing audio pairing.

Auracast™ Broadcast Audio has the advantage of delivering new audio experiences in higher quality, especially in public spaces. It can be set to public or private broadcasting, ensuring security.

For example, if the sound of a video is not heard well in a crowded place such as a theater, conference room, airport, or conference room, the technology can be used to connect the transmitter and receiver devices as if connecting via Wi-Fi to hear the sound clearly. Even if you do not directly share the earphone device, you can share the audio through your mobile phone to listen to the same audio together. Additionally, the Bluetooth SIG added that it “expects to bring about positive changes to the industry utilizing wireless audio devices and hearing aids by improving accessibility between hearing aid systems.”

■ Samsung to Add Auracast™ Broadcast Function to Galaxy S24, etc.

The transmitter required to operate Oracast™ Broadcast can be any audio-enabled device, such as a television, laptop, tablet, or PA system. It can be connected to any device that can receive, such as a hearing aid or headphones. The assistant acts as a bridge between the two devices, allowing them to scan for access points, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or hearing aid remote control, just like Wi-Fi. For example, a smartphone can be both a transmitter and an assistant.

The transmission distance of the audio transmitted at this time depends on the performance of the transmitter. Transmitters support long-distance, medium-distance, and short-distance depending on the situation. For example, a small short-distance transmitter costing about $200 is sufficient for connecting IoT devices at home, but in large facilities such as conference rooms, a high-performance transmitter such as a Wi-Fi router can be used. The feature is built into the product, but if it is not, you can use a dongle such as USB to create a receiver.

The Bluetooth SIG said, “Many companies around the world are already releasing products with the Auracast™ Broadcast Audio feature.” In particular, Samsung Electronics has been at the forefront of actively embracing the technology, releasing products with the technology in both the transmitter and receiver sections. Major models include the Buds 2 Pro for the receiver, and the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S24, Z Fold series, and 4K TV for the transmitter.

Chuck Sabin, the director, also said, “Chip manufacturers such as Qualcomm and MediaTek have already released chipsets that support the function, and device manufacturers just need to provide the function.” Various home appliance and hearing aid companies have also announced plans to release receivers, and Xiaomi has announced plans to release a phone with the function. Android and MS will also include it as a future platform.

Meanwhile, Bluetooth SIG forecasted that the proportion of new smartphones supporting LE Audio functions will be approximately 90% in 2027. In addition, it is expected that approximately 3 billion LE Audio-supporting devices will be shipped annually through 2028, and 2.5 million public places are expected to use the function by 2030.

Chuck Sabin, director, added, “Bluetooth is a powerful technology and its use cases continue to expand. In the future, Bluetooth will expand its ecosystem to improve connectivity, support high-speed data throughput from the current 2Mbps to 8Mbps, and aim to support the 5GHz and 6GHz high-frequency bands.”