New firmware for Philips 9050

Hearing Aids
1

Version 1.2.1 is the latest version. The release notes mention compatibility with the LE Audio transmitter and various connectivity improvements. I was hoping for Auracast compatibility but there’s no mention of it and I have no way of testing it until my next coffee date with my friend with the Samsung S23. Actually scratch that. There’s no update to the app, so still no assistant functionality there. The Bluetooth LE Audio Broadcast UI preview isn’t allowing me to share audio (ie start an Auracast stream), though it has put my phone presets under “Hearing devices” on my Pixel.

2

Interesting that, but when did Oticon intent models get this firmware update for Auracast compatibility, so if they have it then Phillips won’t be far behind.

2 Likes
3

Not sure I’m understanding the issue? I have had 9050’s for 3 months and samsung S24+. Have had LE Audio connection from day 1…complete w/hands free phone. Yes there were a couple of glitches, but they seemed to be system wide a couple of months ago — losing bluetooth connection and/or showing a complete connection while not actually being connected. But each time the issue righted itself within a day or two.

4

The issue is that, although the 9050s have LE Audio, they don’t have Auracast. We wait for a future firmware update to enable Auracast but that update never seems to arrive.

5

What good would an enabled auracast be at the present time? Speaking as someone in Rhode Island, I am not aware of any auracast transmissions in the state.

6
  1. I could get an Auracast transmitter from AliExpress to listen to TV rather than spend hundreds of dollars on something proprietary from Demant.
  2. If my friend with the SG23 wants to share some of her music with me I’m good to go.
  3. I could get a Floomoo dongle for my laptop and use Auracast to get my audio rather than go through the convoluted process of moving my LE Audio connection from my phone to my laptop and back again.
  4. Once I’ve got it I don’t have to worry about Demant moving on to the next generation of aids and forgetting about this one. We all know their support of superceded models is zilch.
7

Thanks. Didn’t realize how extensive auracast’s reach was (is?) going to be…LOL

1 Like
8

Let’s go with ‘is’! The narrative from the manufacturers (also, the influencers) seems to be that until we see it in every second church or cinema, it’s in the future and we don’t have to worry about it. Nice idea but let’s just kick it down the road. Kudos to Resound for doing something now.

1 Like
9

I think the hearing aid wearers are going to push Auracast into more, and more venues, starting with churches.

Now if Google would include an assistant in their new phones, we would be off to the races.

Again, thanks to Resound and Fairmesh/FlooGoo for getting things going.