Bluetooth SIG Promotes First Ever Auracast Experience at MWC 2023 in Barcelona

In 2022, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the Auracast extension of the Bluetooth LE Audio specifications, combining audio sharing and broadcast audio into a new term that would make it easier to promote. The audio innovation promises to propel audio streaming forward by letting users share their audio or select from publicly available Auracast wireless audio streams. At Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023 in Barcelona the technology was demonstrated in a practical manner for the very first time.

Following the publication of the full set of LE Audio specifications by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the industry is now putting together the building blocks that will enabling bringing products supporting the next generation of Bluetooth audio to market. This article explains what is needed and how to support Auracast broadcast audio, a new Bluetooth capability that enables an audio transmitter to broadcast to an unlimited number of nearby Bluetooth audio receivers.

Wireless software licensor Packetcraft, Inc. announced its Packetcraft Controller software has achieved Bluetooth 5.3 qualification, including the world’s first qualification of new Bluetooth 5.3 link layer technical features. Packetcraft also announced the availability of Packetcraft LC3, a highly optimized and efficient LC3 codec for Bluetooth LE Audio.

CEVA announced that its RivieraWaves Bluetooth Dual Mode 5.2 Platform has achieved Bluetooth SIG Qualification. Supporting both the widely adopted Bluetooth Classic Audio and the latest features for the next generation Bluetooth LE Audio, licensees can use the RivieraWaves Bluetooth Dual Mode 5.2 Platform to leap ahead with their next-generation designs for TWS earbuds, smart watches, smart speakers and other Bluetooth-enabled audio products.

CEVA announced that its RivieraWaves Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) 5.2 Platform has achieved Bluetooth SIG Qualification. As the first IP company to receive Bluetooth LE 5.2 qualification, CEVA enables its licensees to reduce their product development risk and so benefit with expedited time-to-market and end-product qualification process. Since September 2020, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) started qualifying products using the new LE Audio Specification, announced in January 2020.

At CES 2020, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the upcoming release of LE Audio, the next generation of Bluetooth audio. Two years on the making, Bluetooth LE Audio will enhance the performance of wireless audio, add support for hearing aids, and introduce Audio Sharing, a new use case with the potential to once again change the way we experience audio and connect with the world around us as Bluetooth did when it cut the cord 20 years ago to create the wireless audio market.