The Future of Seamless Audio According to Qualcomm

An exclusive interview with Dino Bekis, Qualcomm's Vice President and General Manager, Wearables & Mixed Signal Solutions Business Unit, where he shares fascinating insights into the company's roadmap and future developments, leveraging the best of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in wireless earbuds and headphones into a seamless, high-quality audio experience. We also learn about Qualcomm's unique vision for its latest generation Snapdragon Sound platforms, and XPAN technology, allowing wireless hi-res audio without bandwidth constraints or compromising battery life.

Factories in China are starting to bring out the new generation of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast-enabled true wireless earbuds, now that the chips are becoming available. Some more aggressive brands are using this opportunity to jump ahead of the crowd. EarFun managed a number of firsts in the new Air Pro 4 earbuds, the first Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound Bluetooth 5.4 model with support for both LDAC and aptX Adaptive codecs, ready for LE Audio and Auracast.

Edifier just unveiled its STAX Spirit S5 Wireless Planar magnetic headphones, its second product since it acquired the famous brand. The STAX Spirit S5 improves on the quality of the audio experience with its 2nd gen EqualMass wiring technology, 2μm thin film and a new calibration approach of the planar drivers, which Edifier say achieve a performance comparable to legendary electrostatic headphones. Based on the Qualcomm QCC5181 Snapdragon Sound Bluetooth audio SoC, the new Spirit S5 headphones also deliver an expanded range of wireless audio options.

Reacting to the fact that streaming music services have started to offer lossless music streaming options, Qualcomm has now extended its aptX Adaptive set of technologies - supported by its latest Snapdragon Sound processors - to also include a CD-quality lossless option over Bluetooth. The new aptX Lossless technology expands options available for Bluetooth wireless audio, combining codec, wireless link and RF optimizations.

In early March 2021, following a series of announcements in development platforms and solutions for wireless audio, Qualcomm announced Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound, a new end-to-end approach to promote high-resolution digital audio and enhanced voice communications across devices. The systems' approach combines and optimizes multiple Qualcomm technologies for mobile platforms, processing, connectivity, plus the latest aptX Adaptive audio technologies needed to improve the sound experience for consumers. But how can manufacturers and new brands benefit? Will there be a lossless extension for aptX Adaptive? We asked the questions to Jonny McClintock, Director of aptX Sales & Marketing at Qualcomm.

Goertek has unveiled a new earbud reference design to help manufacturers looking to implement Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound technology speed their time to market. Powered by the Qualcomm QCC5141 Bluetooth Audio SoC, the Rox reference design is optimized for use in TWS earbuds and hearables and is designed to deliver high-resolution music, crystal-clear voice calls, and lag-free gaming — with superior connectivity and extended battery life.

Following previous announcements in development platforms and solutions for wireless audio, Qualcomm announced Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound, a new end-to-end approach to promote high resolution digital audio and enhanced voice communications across devices. The approach combines and optimizes multiple Qualcomm technologies for mobile platforms, processing, connectivity, plus the latest aptX Adaptive audio technologies needed to improve the sound experience for consumers.