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How spatial audio works — Dolby Atmos, Apple spatial, Bose, Jabra
Changing how you hear your favorite music, movies, TV shows, and video games
There was a time when we all used wired headphones for our smartphones, but those days are mostly gone. Wireless headphones and earbuds have become so good that many of us don't miss the wires. And some of the best wireless headphones you can buy offer excellent quality and convenience that pair nicely with your smartphone. And one new thing that headphone makers and the industry are adopting is called spatial audio. It improves your audio experience by making it more immersive, and we explain how in the article below.
Google Pixel Fold speakers have been hiding a secret superpower
Spatial Audio isn't just for headphones anymore
Audio plays an undeniably massive role in how the best entertainment apps keep us hooked for hours on end, whether you’re using earphones, headphones, connected speakers, or your phone’s tinny sound blaster. We usually recommend good wired or wireless earphones for the best audio experience on Android, but the OS greatly enhances the output with features like Spatial Audio. Now we are learning the tech is supported on the latest Pixel Fold’s speakers as well, making it a true unicorn.
Google's biggest new Pixel Buds Pro feature since launch is hitting earbuds now
You’ll need one of Google’s flagship phones to take advantage of it, though
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro are some of the best true wireless earbuds available on the market thanks to rich audio and active noise cancelation, but it’s software features like transparency mode and always-on “Hey Google” detection that separates them from the pack. Starting today, Google’s flagship earbuds will get another leg up on the competition thanks to a new software feature in the latest update.
Google has finally caught up to Apple and Samsung in the headphones race by adding Spatial Audio support to its latest flagship phones. The functionality arrived last month as part of the January 2023 security updates for the Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro running Android 13. But a more advanced type of immersive sound feature remains a holdout until now, despite Google's apparent promise to release it shortly after the first update. Although it's quite delayed, Google now appears to be readying to release head tracking support for the Pixel Buds Pro soon.
Spatial audio finally gets useful in Netflix's latest Premium plan upgrade
Over 700 titles on Netflix now support spatial audio
In July 2022, Netflix teamed up with Sennheiser to make spatial audio available to everyone using stereo speakers on their TV, smartphones, or headphones. Using some software magic, spatial audio widens the perceived sound stage to deliver a surround sound-like experience. You can get a 5.1 audio experience without the requisite setup. Initially, spatial audio was only available on some of Netflix's original titles. The streaming service is now bringing the enhanced sound experience to over 700 titles on its platform.
Google’s answer to a killer AirPods feature is going live on the Pixel 6 and 7 series
Spatial audio is coming with the January security patch, and head tracking is not far behind
Google gave us the latest Pixel Feature Drop in 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 the January 2023 security update.
New Android 13 QPR1 options set the stage for spatial audio support
The toggles are there but so far they have yet to go live
Last week, Google rolled out the first Android 13 QPR1 beta for supported Pixel phones. Among the many changes we've learned about so far, we've seen a few audio-related improvements, and now Google seems to be laying the groundwork for new Pixel Buds features. The QPR beta introduces a new spatial audio toggle for headphones, but plenty of questions about its ultimate implementation remain.
Netflix has the cure for your crappy laptop speakers with expanded spatial audio support
Why should Apple users have all the fun?
Streaming services are popular because of how easily they let you access your favorite media anywhere, on any device. As a result, you may be spending less time enjoying your expensive home theater system, and enjoying the convenience of watching the latest episode on your laptop. Netflix is now introducing a new feature to help level the playing field a little, enhancing audio to sound bigger and better while giving you something closer to that home theater experience, even when using headphones.
Apple Music's latest update delivers lossless and spatial audio for 'compatible devices'
Your playlists have never sounded so crystal clear
Spotify may be the reigning champion of streaming music, but it's far from the only choice. Apple Music is a surprisingly competent app even on Android, and some of its recent additions make it an even better service. In May, Apple added lossless and spatial audio to its service at no additional cost, and with its latest app update, both are finally coming to Android.
Apple Music just changed everyone else's plans for lossless audio
Apple's hi-fi tier arrives next month for all users, along with support for Dolby Atmos
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Lossless audio seems to be the next significant advancement in music streaming. Amazon has been offering a high-quality plan since 2019, and in February, Spotify announced a new HiFi plan to launch later this year. Leave it to Apple to shake up the entire ecosystem with its announcement of lossless audio. Starting next month, all Apple Music subscribers will gain access to improved audio quality along with select Dolby Atmos tracks at no extra cost.We already knew that a lossless tier was on the horizon for Apple Music, thanks to recent leaks from both iOS 14.6 and the latest beta version of the Android app. Launching it at no additional cost to subscribers, however, is an unexpected and game-changing move. More than 75 million songs will be available in lossless audio, which should cover nearly every song on the service. High-fidelity tracks will only be available to subscribers; you're still limited to standard quality when purchasing songs or albums through the iTunes store.
Google's next-gen Pixel Buds could get one of the AirPods Pro's coolest tricks
The company recently acquired 3D audio startup Dysonics
Google's anticipated Pixel Buds successors have been making waves online for a while now, including some appearances in recent FCC filings. We have yet to learn exactly what might set these next-gen buds apart from the pack, but a new acquisition could give us some hints. Google has acquired Dysonics, a startup that specializes in 3D audio.
360-degree video can have the effect of making you feel like you're standing in a different place. It's not unlike a previous technological innovation that sought to do the same thing—live video. Watching a live event on TV remains the most common alternative to getting tickets and attending in person.