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A recent Sony firmware update brings much-welcome functionality upgrades to Sony’s flagship over-ear headphones and earbuds. Updating the firmware of the WH-1000XM5 or WH-1000XM6 unlocks Audio Sharing via Bluetooth LE Audio and provides compatibility with Google’s Gemini Live AI assistant.
Just last month, Google expanded LE Audio compatibility to more Android phones, as well as Sony’s WF-1000XM5, WH-1000XM5, WH-1000XM6, InZone Buds, LinkBuds Open, LinkBuds S, LinkBuds Fit, and InZone H9 II.
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The Audio Sharing update allows users with a compatible Sony headphone model and an Android phone to share their device’s audio with another person wearing compatible headphones while also using a compatible smartphone. All of the broadcaster’s device audio is shared, including music, YouTube and TikTok videos, as well as TV shows or movies from a streaming service. However, phone calls are not broadcast to the other listener.
Users can either share their audio with one person or broadcast it to multiple others via a QR code.
How to access LE Audio with Sony headphones
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To access this feature, you’ll need compatible Sony headphones and an Android phone compatible with Bluetooth LE Audio. Samsung’s Galaxy and Google’s Pixel smartphones support the feature, and certain Xiaomi phones support Bluetooth LE Audio, although they’re not officially sold in the US.
Android 16 includes robust support for Bluetooth LE Audio; ensure your compatible smartphone is updated to the latest version. On Pixel, ensure Audio Sharing is enabled in settings.
You’ll also need to update your compatible Sony headphones to the latest firmware version, which is available in Sony’s Sound Connect app.
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Once you’ve updated your Sony headphones, you’ll need to reconnect them to your compatible Android phone via Google Fast Pair. Once you’ve completed the prompts, you can enable LE Audio and add your headphones to Google’s Find Hub for device location tracking.
What is LE Audio?
Bluetooth LE Audio is a wireless audio technology that builds on the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity standard. Bluetooth LE Audio supports hearing aids, Auracast audio broadcasting, and the Low Complexity Communications Codec (LC3), enabling higher-quality audio transmission with reduced power consumption.
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The most exciting feature within LE Audio is Auracast, which allows users with compatible headphones and smartphones to either share audio with others or join and listen to public audio broadcasts.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) first announced LE Audio in 2020, and the audio specification was standardized in 2022. Since then, widespread adoption has been a slow but steady process, with developers like Android and brands such as JBL, Sony, Samsung, and LG releasing compatible software and products this year.
