We live in a noisy world. At an airport trying to hear flight update announcements through the background clamor, in a crowded sports bar wanting to hear the play-by-play for the one game that interests us, or sharing a favorite song with a group of friends amid unrelenting street noise. Perhaps we’re gaming with friends and want to share the same rich audio experience, or our hearing aids fail to pick up clear audio from our home TV or a speaker at a conference. We want to wrap ourselves (and perhaps a few friends) in a sound bubble, able to hear and share only what we want to hear, while allowing designated interruptions to break through. That’s what Auracast, an extension to LE Audio announced a couple of years ago by the Bluetooth SIG, promises to offer. A personalized audio experience extended to a select few friends and select interrupts.
Auracast is Big
From CES 2024, Forbes wrote that “With Auracast, Bluetooth’s About To Get A Whole Lot Better”. The first Auracast-supported products were announced at this year’s show, displaying many of the capabilities mentioned above.
We already use earbuds with smart noise suppression to create our own audio bubble for entertainment and communication. LE Audio now makes this experience wireless and hands-free. Auracast builds on that already widely adopted LE Audio use-model to expand our audio bubble to friends through a broadcast from a common host to the group. This will continue to support approved break in options – a call or an announcement for your flight – while still blocking all other ambient noise. Since market projections estimate more than 3 billion LE Audio-enabled devices in active use by 2027 and almost 2.5 million public venues able to take advantage of Auracast by 2030, it is reasonable to anticipate very strong growth in LE Audio+Auracast enabled products.
Strength is also supported by a couple of interesting use-cases. One will improve hearing aid effectiveness immeasurably. Ask a friend or relative who uses these aids, and they will quickly agree that they struggle to hear the TV if anyone else is in the room, or to understand a speaker at a conference or in a service – even in rooms with magnetic induction loop support. Auracast can solve both problems, broadcasting directly to the hearing aids from the TV or the speaker’s audio pickup. This factor is expected to drive wholesale conversion to LE Audio+Auracast-based aids. Ceva is working closely with several hearing aid players, strongly believing in in the value and potential Auracast has for improving the lives of the hearing impaired.
A second advantage will benefit gamers; reduced latency between audio and visual experiences will enhance gaming, thanks to the new LE Audio architecture and codec (LC3). Gamers will happily pay for an improved experience, so gaming is also expected to be a big market driver.
Auracast Growth will Drive Device Growth
LE Audio+Auracast support requires new hardware and software since these capabilities depend on compliance with the Bluetooth 5.2 standard at minimum. Major phone makers already support LE Audio, and it is reasonable to expect they have already made plans to support Auracast, though perhaps with a software disable until they sense market timing is right. Nevertheless, host (phone, watch, TV, AV system) compatibility will not be limiting. Auracast-compatible dongles are expected to appear quickly, allowing for a quick and low-cost workaround until OEMs catch up.
The exciting near-term product opportunity will be in hearing devices: earbuds, headsets (conventional and VR/AR), smart glasses, and hearing aids. Ceva is ready to help our customers connect their products to this LE Audio+Auracast opportunity. Ceva LE Audio and Auracast solutions are already deployed in several devices on the market including the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Sony INZONE Buds.
Connect with us
Ceva’s wireless connectivity expertise and solution portfolio is comprehensive, from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, cellular (3G to 5G and NB-IoT), and UWB, including the associated RF solutions. Most important in the context of Auracast, Ceva is the leading provider of Bluetooth platform IP solutions for embedded SoC applications. These are available as both Bluetooth LE and Dual Mode IP platforms, with baseband controller, radio, and full software protocol stack, compliant with Bluetooth 5.3, LE Audio and Auracast.
To build a complete wireless audio experience for TWS earbuds, smartwatches, wireless microphones and speakers, Ceva provide Bluetooth, audio and sensing solutions, along with a comprehensive list of audio codecs, including LC3, (m)SBC, CVSD, AAC, MP3, as well as Spatial Audio technology for immersive listening experience.
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