Tag: Bluetooth

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Mobile Syrup

Android could soon get better call quality on Bluetooth devices

If you do a lot of Bluetooth calling, you might be aware of just how mediocre your call audio sounds to the person on the receiving end. However, that may soon be a thing of the past — Android could soon gain support for a wider frequency band, boosting the quality of hands-free devices.

Android expert Mishaal Rahman, with a hat tip to Luca Stefani, highlighted a recent patch to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) that implements features connected to Super Wideband (SWB) Speech as outlined in version 1.9 of Bluetooth’s Hands Free Profile (HFP).

In other words, Android will support a wider range of frequencies reproduced through hands-free devices. Currently, Android uses HFP version 1.8 with wideband support, covering frequencies from 50Hz to 7kHz (called HD Voice). SWB would support 50Hz to 14kHz through the LC3 codec, falling just short of ‘fullband’ reproduction at 20Hz to 20kHz.

Of course, it’s worth keeping in mind that HFP 1.9 hasn’t officially been adopted yet and remains a work in progress. Still, it looks like the way is paved to better Bluetooth call quality. All that remains is how long it will take to hit Android devices, which will likely depend on device manufacturers.

Source: Mishaal Rahman Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Google could be working on its own AirTag-like Bluetooth tracker

It seems like Google could have plans to get into the Bluetooth tracker market.

According to a recent tweet from Mishaal Rahman, senior technical editor at Esper and all-around Android expert, Google’s Fast Pair feature will add support for a new ‘locator tag’ product type.

Of course, this could refer to third-party devices from companies like Tile and Chipolo, but Android developer Kuba Wojciechowski believes it references a new tracker from Google with the codename “grogu,” “groguaudio” or “GR10” that could feature “Finder Network” branding. It seems someone working on the project is a fan of The Mandalorian.

The device reportedly supports Bluetooth low-energy (LE) and ultra wide-band (UWB), and could feature a small internal speaker for alerts.

Beyond this, not much else is known about the rumoured Bluetooth tracker, including what it looks like. It’s likely that if the tracker does exist, we’ll learn more about the accessory alongside the Pixel 8 at Google I/O in May.

Given the popularity of Apple’s AirTag, it’s not surprising to see Google working on its own Android alternative.

Source: @MishaalRahman, @Za_Raczke Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Apple could replace Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular modem with in-house chips in 2025

Apple has long been working to replace components in its devices with its own chips, most notably aiming to replace the Qualcomm 5G modem with its own modem. According to new details published by Bloomberg‘s reliable Mark Gurman, Apple could drop a key Broadcom component in 2025, while its modem chip could be ready for late 2024 or early 2025.

Gurman cites people familiar with the situation who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. The Broadcom component in question handles Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on Apple devices. Apple has started developing its in-house replacement and aims to use it in devices in 2025. Moreover, Apple is reportedly working on a follow-up chip that would combine Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular modem capabilities into a single component.

Apple is Broadcom’s largest customer and accounted for roughly 20 percent of the company’s revenue in the last fiscal year, Gurman reported.

Meanwhile, Apple’s work on a cellular modem has been moving along slowly. Rumours have swirled for years about Apple’s plan to replace Qualcomm chips in the iPhone with an in-house modem chip, and the company supposedly planned to make the transition this year. However, Apple reportedly delayed the switch after encountering issues with overheating, battery life, and more.

Gurman reports that Qualcomm received 22 percent of its annual sales from Apple.

If these details are accurate, it sounds like the 2025 iPhone could offer some significant changes in the wireless connectivity department. However, given Apple’s troubles with the in-house modem chip so far, it’s possible that other delays could push back the company’s plans. It also remains to be seen what, if any, benefit Apple’s in-house chips would bring. If Apple fails to make its chips at least as good as the components from Broadcom and Qualcomm, it could make the iPhone less compelling compared to other phones.

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

Stadia players plead to Google to expand wireless Stadia controller support

Following the announcement and confirmation that Google is shutting down its cloud-based gaming service Stadia next year, fans are asking the tech giant to expand wireless support for the controller.

Last week, Google informed Stadia players that on January 18th, the platform’s servers are going offline. Alongside this announcement, the company confirmed it’s providing refunds for hardware and software through the Google Play Store. Additionally, Google doesn’t require players to return the hardware to claim a refund.

With this in mind, fans of the Stadia controller have taken to the Google Stadia subreddit to plead with Google, asking the tech giant to update the gamepad to enable wireless use without the need for Stadia or Chromecast. The goal is for the Stadia gamepad to live on as a third-party wireless controller with universal Bluetooth support.

Players can currently use the Stadia controller as a wired gamepad on several platforms, including PCs, Macs and smartphones. However, the gamepad does not support wireless Bluetooth.

Even if Google was unwilling to fulfill the request to update the controller and enable universal Bluetooth, there could still be an option. Some are hoping Google provides a solution to open source the controller’s firmware, which in theory, would allow the feature to be added by Stadia users.

We’ve seen the untimely demise of both hardware and software in the past. In the case of Google Stadia, the writing was on the walls for quite some time. Although the cloud-based gaming technology worked to a certain degree, game support always remained lacklustre.

While it’s hard to gauge how many Stadia controllers there are in the wild, there’s no harm in using them elsewhere, especially since Google doesn’t want to go through the hassle of asking players to return the controller.

Source: Game Developer

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Mobile Syrup

Strong AirTag sales indicate Apple could be working on 2nd-gen Bluetooth tracker

Apple might be working on a 2nd-gen AirTag, according to often-reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo says that AirTag shipments have grown “gradually” over the past year, which could result in Apple releasing a new version of the Bluetooth tracker.

On Twitter (seen above), Kuo said that AirTag shipments have hit 20 million and 35 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Apple’s AirTag is designed to help users track their keys, backpacks, luggage and pretty much anything they’re attached to, which has also led to nefarious use cases. Since the tracking devices’ release, Apple has released several updates to the AirTag that aim to fix these issues, including notifying people if they’re carrying an AirTag that doesn’t belong to them. Apple also launched an Android app to identify lost AirTags.

It’s unclear what additional features a next-gen AirTag might offer, but the device’s anti-stalking features will likely be expanded alongside other functionality like a louder built-in speaker, better range and improved battery life.

For more on Apple’s AirTag, check out our in-depth look at the device.

Source: @mingchikuo Via: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

Apple’s latest AirTag update includes privacy warnings, smarter unwanted tracking

Apple has released several new AirTag features that aim to curb the Bluetooth tracking device’s ties to several recent reports surrounding car theft and other tracking-related crimes.

The AirTag now displays a message during setup stating that using the accessory to track people is a crime in several regions around the world. This notification also reminds users that law enforcement can request access to information tied to the Bluetooth tracking devices.

The latter part of this notification certainly brings up privacy concerns, though its intention on Apple’s part is to deter AirTag’s use in crime. Apple goes on to say it will provide serial numbers and Apple ID information to law enforcement agencies when an AirTag has been used in a crime.

The tech giant is also introducing ‘Precision Finding’ to point iPhone users to nearby unknown AirTag through a compass-like on-screen arrow that indicates where the device is. Further, the company says it’s adjusting the tracking device’s ‘tone sequence’ to notify users of unwanted tracking.

Finally, Apple also updated its online support documents with more information regarding how users can control location settings on their iPhone and AirTag.

“We design our products to provide a great experience, but also with safety and privacy in mind,” said Apple in a press release regarding the update.

In December, Apple launched an AirTag Android app called ‘Tracker Detect’ designed to detect unknown AirTags within Bluetooth range. A few months before the release of this app, Apple also rolled out an update that reduced the amount of time before an AirTag alerts someone who doesn’t own it of its presence to between eight and 24 hours from three days.

Though Bluetooth trackers from companies like Tile have existed for years, Apple’s ‘Find My’ network of one billion active devices has a far wider reach than other competitors in the space, making it much easier to use an AirTag for nefarious purposes.

Source: Apple

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Mobile Syrup

Best Buy is selling an $80 Fisher-Price phone that actually works

On the same day that Google officially unveiled its Pixel 6 series — and during an unprecedentedly jam-packed week of major tech events — an iconic manufacturer has emerged to re-introduce a returning champion to the mobile phone market.

You guessed it: Fisher-Price is making a functional version of its Chatter Telephone children’s toy.

Featuring unsettling “wobbly eyes,” a retro rotary dial, and a rainbow colour palette (eat your heart out, Apple) the device uses Bluetooth technology to pair with your actual smartphone to make and receive calls.

In terms of features and tech specs, Chatter sports a handy speakerphone button, is USB rechargeable, and (according to a promotional image shared by Engadget) boasts a 9 hours battery life.

Fisher-Price is marketing this funky little friend as “the first-ever ‘mobile’ phone” — because of the wheels, get it? —  and “a real-working phone for a real adult desk.”

The phone will be exclusively sold at Best Buy. In Canada, Chatter is scheduled for a December 1st release and will retail for a ludicrous, if still tempting, $79.99.

Via: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

The Nintendo Switch finally gets Bluetooth audio support in new update

After more than four years on the market, the Nintendo Switch is finally getting Bluetooth audio support.

On Twitter, Nintendo of America confirmed that a new system update (version 13.0.0) has rolled out with adds the ability to pair Bluetooth audio devices to your Switch. This means that you can now use any of your favourite Bluetooth headphones, like Apple’s AirPods.

Until now, the Switch has only supported wired headphones.

To pair Bluetooth headphones, go to the Switch’s Home menu, open ‘System Settings’ and scroll down to the new ‘Bluetooth Audio’ section. From here, select ‘Pair’ to search for any Bluetooth audio devices in range.

Other additions in version 13.0.0 include an ‘Update Dock’ option in System Settings to allow for Switch docks to be updated via LAN port and the ability to maintain an internet connection while the Switch is in Sleep Mode.

Source: Nintendo