Sony brings audio sharing to its flagship noise-cancelling headphones

Sony is adding support for audio sharing and Google’s Gemini Live conversational AI assistant to its premium noise-cancelling wireless headphones. The features are being added as part of new firmware updates for the two year old Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds

and the Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones available now through the company’s Sound Connect mobile app.

The most notable update is added support for Audio Sharing with Fast Pair made possible through Bluetooth LE Audio’s Auracast functionality. With an Android phone that supports Bluetooth LE Audio (including several Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and OnePlus models), you can pair two wireless headphones simultaneously to share what you’re listening to with a friend, or you can create a private broadcast for an entire group who can connect using a QR code or Google Fast Pair. Google announced in early September it was expanding Android’s BLE Audio capabilities to several models of Sony’s headphones. 

Other features coming to both sets of wireless headphones include enhancements to unspecified “system software security features” and support for digital assistants and head tracking while using a Bluetooth LE Audio connection. Sony says you’ll need to re-pair your headphones to your device following the update for this to work.

The WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are also getting expanded functionality with Google’s Find Hub tracking network including the ability to locate the left and right earbuds individually and the option to disable Find Hub support entirely without using their charging case, which was previously required.