Yes that is all I’m seeing today is the 5.2 LE audio with most of the Google searches on the pixel 7. Must have been an illusion or a senior moment. But the specs is saying 5.2 LE. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Am I understanding the LE is not on the 5.2?
LE is just low energy bluetooth, which pretty much all bluetooth has back to at least 4.2. LE Audio is different than LE. LE Audio uses the LE signal (which was designed for data, not audio) for good quality audio. Apple has their own flavor of LE that works with audio, as does Android with ASHA. LE Audio offers the hope of universal compatibility, as well as broadcast features present in Auracast. It is very easy to get confused by the terminology.
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I had a look last night and I found both, so not a senior moment. 5.2 is the minimum core spec that you need for le audio. 5.3 offers some advantages:
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Glad to know I wasn’t seeing things.
thanks
Has anyone noticed sound quality improvement, especially in music, when using hearing aids with the new iPhones that have Bluetooth 5.3? I do, and I don’t have new HAs (Widex Evoke).
Another opinion that BT 5.3 and the new audio in the iPhones and AirPod Pro 2s brings improved listening but no BT LE Audio for now as it’s not as good as Apple’s AAC codec and would only enhance use of the AirPod Pros with non-Apple devices - not a desirable outcome for Apple, for now.
Also, only BT 5.3, not BT LE Audio, is mentioned in Apple’s tech specs for the AirPods Pro 2 and under System Requirements (and Compatibility) only Apple devices are listed. Not something you would expect if Apple had embraced BT LE Audio as an open standard (and if it were up and running on the AirPods Pro 2).
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) - Technical Specifications - Apple
Went to Google Store and looked at tech specs. They’re listing BT 5.2 and no mention of LE Audio. Seems odd when Android 13 is supposed to support it.
I must have missed it but when I did a pixel 7 spec search at the Google store they mentioned BT but I did not even see the 5.2 BT mentioned. I found the 5.2 LE mentioned on other websites.
https://store.google.com/product/pixel_7_specs?hl=en-US
It’s tough to find. Once you find phone, need to click on Tech Specs at top, scroll down to connectivity and expand.
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My impression of Google is that it is one of the most internally unco-ordinated organisations on the planet. So I’m not sure I’d believe their own website. If they can’t bring out a phone with the latest Bluetooth version more than a year after it’s released there’s no hope for them.
I still think it will be Bluetooth 5.3 but I’ve got nothing to back that up. Their own buds are 5.3!
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I think you guys are missing the point. LE audio codec is negotiable between the hearing device and the transmitter but it is required (i think) to support LC3 for full compatibility
All they need to do wrap the encoding frame (audio data) to LE Isochronous Channel which is in the Bluetooth core Spec 5.2 or higher…
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in simple term, it is like getting a new phone with HD calling but you both are an English and spanish speaker…
LE Isochronous Channel is like getting a new phone with HD calling and the codec that it speak to is either english or spanish
You will be negotiating with the other person to talk in Spanish or English…
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Also the basic function of a codec is paired. encode input and decode output
Not sure if this is news or not, but the latest Cochlear Nucleus processor is LE Audio-ready.
“Ready for next-generation Bluetooth® LE audio technology, the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor brings you sound simply and directly, in more places and from more devices than ever before. 4-6,^ You can connect to devices that support Bluetooth Auracast™ in public places like airports, convention centers, and theatres.”
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it isn’t enabled in firmware level, it is missing LC3, BAP, CAP, and HAP…
just only bluetooth 5.3 core with ASHA / /MFI protocol for now …
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Dr. Cliff has a short, very well-done video out on BT LE Audio (AuraCast) and the impact it will have on hearing aids. He predicts it will make telecoil obsolete in about ten years as it will enable smaller hearing aids with better battery life, especially for ITC devices:
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I think it’s gonna be a lot sooner then that, I mean it’s already such a small part of the market right now, compared to say even 10 years ago.
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Good old Bluetooth SIG are still chugging on towards Auracast implementation. I haven’t downloaded the “best practices” document but what I did learn from the link below is that public Auracasts will be required to support “standard quality” broadcast audio. That’s there for our benefit because hearing aids may not have the bandwidth required for higher quality broadcast.
As identified by the use of Auracast Trademarks in the Brand Guide for Bluetooth Trademarks [8], for all transmitters, the product must be configurable by the end user to broadcast a Standard Quality Public Broadcast Audio stream. Additionally, if the transmitter is marketed for use within a public location (where “public location” means any public, private, or commercial venue, building, means of transport, or open space), the product’s default setting when configuring the product to transmit an Auracast™ broadcast must be to broadcast a Standard Quality Public Broadcast Audio stream.
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I’m testing Phonak Lumity with Bluetooth Classic and the quality of sound and connection reliability is fantastic. The only benefit I can see with Bluetooth LE Audio is extended battery life. Am I missing anything here?
Jordan
Yes you are. LE Audio and Auracast promise the potential for way more compatibility without an additional intermediary device and broadcasting potential. A lecture hall, theatre or other venue could invest in a relatively inexpensive Bluetooth system and be able to broadcast to all compatible hearing aids.
However, until LE Audio fully rolls out, Phonak’s solution is pretty sweet.
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