Google is updating Android to support Auracast, a Bluetooth LE technology that lets you create, listen to, and switch between public Bluetooth audio broadcasts on devices you already own. In the simplest case, Auracast will allow you to tune your Bluetooth headphones to a turned-off TV in a public place and listen to its sound. However, it seems that Google is primarily interested in using this feature to make hearing aids even more useful.
Google plans to use Auracast as a way to stream audio via Bluetooth to hearing aids connected to a phone or tablet. If your TV or streaming device supports Auracast, you’ll be able to use your Android device to connect your hearing aids directly to the source and listen to what’s playing. The company says that any presets you have set up to customize the sound of your hearing aids will be carried over to the audio you hear through Auracast. On Pixel 9 devices, you can even skip diving into the settings to switch to the stream and instead scan a QR code to connect your hearing aids immediately.
This feature will be coming to Pixel 9 in the third beta of Android 16, which is also being released today. In addition to Auracast, the preview software includes a new accessibility option that allows you to circle text to make it easier to read, as well as a “Local Network Protection” feature that will give anyone with an Android 16 device “more control over which apps can access devices on their local network,” according to Google.
The final version of Android 16 is still a long way off, but the developer beta is available for download today on supported devices. If you don’t want to experiment with the beta, Google says you can try Auracast with a Samsung Galaxy device running One UI 7 and compatible hearing aids from GN Hearing or Starkey.
