Google Extends License Agreement for AAC Codec Range With Fraunhofer IIS

As the primary developer of the xHE-AAC audio codec and co-inventor of the MPEG AAC family of audio codecs, Fraunhofer IIS announced the extension of its AAC family software license agreement with Google. The MPEG AAC codec family is widely used in over 10 billion consumer products globally and provides use-case-optimized features such as high-quality multi-channel audio, ultra low bitrates for all audio content types, low delay, adaptive streaming and metadata support.

As predicted, Apple announced the next generation of AirPods during a streamed event (October 18). The new model ($179) was improved in every front and promised to be available in just a few days, which was probably the biggest surprise. Apple also announced new colors for its HomePod Mini smart speakers, while it waits for the Matter home standard to be released. And announced a strange Voice Only Apple Music subscription plan, including countries that don’t speak English.

Fraunhofer IIS announced that LG Electronics has licensed its xHE-AAC and AAC Enhanced Low Delay (AAC-ELD) audio codec implementations for use in its home entertainment products. As a global innovator in consumer electronics technology, LG Electronics recognizes the importance of these latest generation AAC codecs for adaptive audio and video streaming with improved quality, supporting variable network conditions.

audioXpress is proud to publish a contributed article by Manfred Lutzky, Head of Audio for Communications at Fraunhofer IIS, Audio and Media Technologies division and one of the members of the team responsible for the development of state-of-the-art speech and audio communication codecs such as EVS, AAC-ELD, and LC3/LC3plus. In this article, he provides a valuable perspective about the technologies and audio codecs that we depend upon to make audio and video conferencing calls. This article was originally published in audioXpress, October 2020.