Wireless headphones may be more than an accessory for smartphones in the coming years. Qualcomm, by introducing its new audio platform, has enabled audio devices to connect directly to the internet and cloud services; a capability that can reduce headphones' dependence on smartphones.
According to ITNA quoting The Verge, the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform is equipped with low-power Wi‑Fi 6E. This technology is integrated into the chip and allows compatible headphones and other audio devices to connect directly to Wi‑Fi networks and access cloud services, without the smartphone constantly being connected to them.
This capability can change the role of wireless headphones. In such a scenario, a headphone will no longer be merely a device for receiving sound from a phone and can perform some of its functions independently. For example, the device could communicate directly with certain AI and cloud services or stream music via the internet, while the user's phone remains separate.
Direct access to AI assistants
One of the features Qualcomm has considered for its new platform is running AI assistants through the headset itself. In this way, the user can interact with an AI assistant via voice command and receive needed information or services without taking out their phone and opening an app.
The application of this technology is not limited to headphones. Qualcomm has stated that the new platform can also be used in products such as smart glasses, hearing aids, and headsets equipped with built-in cameras.
More performance with less power consumption
Direct internet connectivity is not the only change in Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2. According to Qualcomm, this platform offers twice the AI capabilities compared to the previous generation while reducing power consumption by up to 40%.
The platform's size has also been reduced by up to 30%; an important point for wearable devices, because the internal space of such products is limited and a smaller chip can give manufacturers more freedom to design smaller products.
High-quality music streaming over Wi‑Fi
Qualcomm's new platform also supports XPAN technology. Instead of relying on the limited range of Bluetooth, this technology enables high-quality music transmission over Wi‑Fi.
According to Qualcomm's specifications, this technology can provide access to audio quality up to 192 kHz. As a result, Wi‑Fi can in some scenarios be used as the primary communication path for transmitting high-quality audio content.
Current headphones will not become independent
Despite these capabilities, introducing the new platform does not mean that users' current wireless headphones will automatically become independent devices.
Using the new features of Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 depends on the availability of devices that include this platform. In addition, direct internet connectivity will depend on the presence of a Wi‑Fi network or a suitable communication path.
However, Qualcomm's move shows that the role of wearable audio devices may be changing. Headphones, which so far have mostly been used as smartphone accessories, can-by combining direct connectivity, AI processing, and access to cloud services-perform some of their functions independently; a change that, alongside the expansion of AI in wearable devices, could open a new path for the development of these products.