Qualcomm has launched a new chip designed to bring more AI features to the next generation of earbuds, headphones and audio wearables.
The Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 is the successor to the Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform, and Qualcomm says it offers twice the AI capabilities of its predecessor. The idea is to move more AI processing directly onto the device instead of relying as heavily on a connected phone or the cloud.
That could open the door to features such as real-time translation, smarter voice assistants and sound amplification for people who are hard of hearing. Additionally, Qualcomm says the platform is designed for devices beyond traditional headphones, including audio glasses and camera-equipped earbuds.
That last category is particularly interesting, given the growing number of wearables adding cameras and microphones. It could also fit the kind of AI-powered audio experience seen in devices such as the Ray-Ban Meta Audio. However, Qualcomm isn’t announcing specific products using the new chip yet.
The Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 also brings Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless technology for higher-quality wireless audio, alongside XPAN. The latter combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to extend wireless audio range. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 6E provides the faster connection needed for more demanding features.
Qualcomm says this connectivity can help make AI features available without putting as much pressure on battery life or audio quality. In other words, the chip isn’t just about making earbuds smarter; it’s also designed to keep the basics of a good pair of headphones intact.
The company hasn’t revealed when we can expect the first products powered by Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, so there’s still a wait before we see what manufacturers actually do with it. However, with Qualcomm targeting everything from earbuds to audio glasses, the platform could give upcoming wearables considerably more to do than simply play music and take calls.
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