The Top 5 Audio Technology Trends to Expect in 2024
Posted by Global Teck Worldwide Staff on 7th Jan 2024
Gear up for 2024! Read about the latest audio tech trends – low latency, Bluetooth 5.3/5.4, spatial audio, Qi2 charging, and expanded app support await you!
The Top 5 Audio Technology Trends to Expect in 2024
Author: Global Teck Staff / Blog / Published: January 7, 2024 9AM EST
In the wake of a transformative 2023 that propelled wireless audio into the mainstream, the headset technology landscape stands at the cusp of another wave of innovations in 2024. Last year saw the rapid adoption of wireless headsets, earphones, and headphones, spurred by the ubiquity of smartphones ditching traditional headphone jacks.
Technological breakthroughs, such as EPOS' BrainAdapt™, elevated active noise canceling capabilities, while battery life milestones were set by the Marshall Major IV, boasting an impressive 80+ hours of continuous playtime. Higher IPX ratings and improved support for advanced Bluetooth codecs further marked the industry's pursuit of excellence.
Looking ahead, 2024 is poised to usher in a new era of auditory experiences. Anticipate trends like low latency and the integration of new Bluetooth codecs, promising seamless audio-video synchronization and enhanced wireless sound quality. The adoption of Bluetooth 5.3 and 5.4 will redefine connectivity, while spatial audio technology adds a three-dimensional layer to the listening experience. Qi2 charging for headphones and increased app support are set to simplify our lives and expand the functionalities of these audio companions.
Feeling the FOMO? Don't be! Dive into our blog and ride the audio wave with us.
Blue Beacon Bluetooth Extender
Lower Latency with the Latest Bluetooth Codecs
Qualcomm has introduced sub-20-millisecond latency support for its S3 Gen 2 sound platform, catering to fast-action gaming audio needs. The new technology enhances the gaming experience by providing low-latency audio on Snapdragon Sound-equipped devices, surpassing the previous aptX Low Latency codec's 42ms latency. Snapdragon Sound also offers a low-latency voice back channel for real-time chat in multiplayer games.
The S3 Gen 2 adapters are initially targeted for USB dongles and adapters for computers, with manufacturers likely to include pre-paired adapters with earbuds or headphones. The adapters support Bluetooth 5.4 LE Audio features and Qualcomm's aptX Lossless codec for CD-quality sound. However, navigating the various generations of Snapdragon Sound technology may be challenging for consumers due to the lack of standardized specifications across products.
Adopting Bluetooth 5.3 and Prospects for Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.3 represents a significant leap forward in wireless technology, particularly evident in its widespread adoption by Chinese-brand wireless devices, renowned for their quarterly product releases. A standout example is the Jabra Elite 10, a product from Jabra, which has embraced Bluetooth 5.3.
One of the key features driving this adoption is the lower power consumption during usage, contributing to extended battery life and improved overall efficiency. The version also emphasizes connections with minimal interference, ensuring a smoother and more reliable wireless experience. Furthermore, Bluetooth 5.3 places a strong emphasis on security, enhancing connection privacy and protecting user data.
Notably, major players like EPOS with their IMPACT 1000 series have also joined the trend, reinforcing the growing influence of Bluetooth 5.3 in the wireless technology landscape and its commitment to delivering high-quality, secure, and energy-efficient connectivity.
So what's to be expected with Bluetooth 5.4? Bluetooth 5.4 was released in February 2023 and is expected to arrive in consumer and industrial devices by the end of the 2024. The latest iteration, Bluetooth 5.4, introduces several enhancements over its predecessor, Bluetooth 5.3.
While major upgrades focus on improving data transmission speeds, incremental improvements primarily target security and minor efficiency boosts. With Bluetooth 5.4, users can experience higher security and more efficient connectivity across thousands of low-energy nodes. Notably, audio quality reaches new heights when utilizing advanced codecs such as LDAC, LHDC, or aptX HD/Lossless, although it remains inherently lossy.
These advancements make Bluetooth 5.4 a noteworthy upgrade, promising a more secure and streamlined wireless experience for both consumer and industrial applications.
EPOS Impact 1060
The Push for Immersive Sound Experience
Apple is contemplating a significant strategy shift by potentially offering increased royalties to artists who contribute their music in Dolby Atmos format on Apple Music. The company is considering giving "added weighting" to songs with an Atmos mix, aiming to boost artist payments irrespective of whether users actually play the Atmos version. This move aligns with the industry trend of increasing Dolby Atmos mixes and positions Apple favorably against competitors like Spotify, which has yet to embrace spatial audio.
Apple Music is actively promoting spatial audio, encouraging artists and labels to release music in this format. Spatial audio-enhanced tracks may receive additional weighting in search results, potentially leading to higher royalties for artists. This strategic emphasis on spatial audio not only seeks to distinguish Apple Music from rivals but also to drive sales of Apple's compatible hardware, including headphones, earbuds, and smart speakers.
While Apple's push for spatial audio is part of a broader strategy to enhance its market position, concerns have been raised about the potential downside. The move may lead to a surge in low-quality releases driven more by financial motives than artistic considerations, raising questions about the impact on the overall quality and artistic integrity of the music available in spatial audio format.
Nevertheless, Apple's focus on spatial audio reflects an ongoing industry shift and could offer a competitive edge in the evolving landscape of audio streaming services, especially in contrast to competitors like Spotify that have yet to fully embrace this immersive audio technology.
Qi2 Charging for In-Ear Headphones
Qi charging has been available for earbuds for a while. Many smaller earbuds or in-ear headphones support wireless charging using the Qi standard, a convenient feature highlighted by manufacturers.
Moving forward, the Wireless Power Consortium has introduced Qi2, the next-generation wireless charging standard. This includes the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP), inspired by Apple's MagSafe, ensuring optimal alignment for faster charging and increased efficiency. Qi2 boasts backward compatibility, allowing devices to function seamlessly with older Qi chargers, and vice versa.
The certification process for Qi2 involves independent labs, and Apple's iPhone 15 already supports this standard. Anticipated developments include a wider array of Qi2 devices and accessories, potentially contributing to the unification of wireless charging standards.
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More App Support and Firmware Improvements
2024 is set to witness a significant upswing in app support for audio devices. Developers are harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning to elevate the quality of audio experiences. Anticipate apps that dynamically adapt to individual preferences, offering personalized recommendations and real-time customization of audio settings. This evolution aims to create a more immersive and tailored listening environment for users.
Furthermore, 2024 marks a notable shift towards enhanced interoperability and collaboration among different platforms. Industry leaders are actively working towards a more interconnected ecosystem, allowing for seamless transitions and compatibility between diverse audio devices. This collaborative effort not only simplifies user interactions but also stimulates innovation by amalgamating features from various platforms.
From intuitive controls to adaptive sound profiles, the developments in app support for audio devices in 2024 promise a more comprehensive and interconnected audio experience for enthusiasts and users alike.
A Pioneering Era of Immersive Audio and AI-Assisted Sound in 2024
2024 marks a groundbreaking era in audio technology, with a focus on immersive experiences and AI-assisted sound. The shift to wireless audio, technological advancements like lower latency with Bluetooth codecs, and the evolution from Bluetooth 5.3 to 5.4 set the stage for an exciting future. Apple's emphasis on Dolby Atmos and spatial audio reflects the industry's commitment to audio quality, while Qi2 charging and increased app support promise enhanced convenience. The collaborative efforts among industry leaders signal a future of seamless, high-quality, and personalized audio experiences.
Video
Why Bluetooth connectivity issues plague most devices 🎧
Video Transcript
Why Bluetooth connectivity issues plague most devices 🎧
[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to another session of Answer The Community where I answer your questions regarding headset, headphones, Bluetooth devices, speakerphones, and other office technology. And today we're going to answer questions regarding Bluetooth and connectivity problems. If you have used a Bluetooth device, whether it's a headset, a speakerphone, a keyboard even, you have inevitably had issues with the connection.
And what I mean is that device that you're using will lose a connection. It may not get the advertised range. Simply, you're close enough to your mobile phone or your computer and it's not syncing up. So the first thing you got to ask yourself is why does that happen? Why so many problems with range? So let's address Bluetooth and what it is, and then we'll address why there's so many people having problems with connectivity.
Bluetooth is a signal designed to connect multiple devices. And that signal is not a very strong signal compared to the signal coming from the tower that's providing signal to your mobile phone. Those signals are much stronger. They're [00:01:00] broadcast at a higher power. And with Bluetooth, the opposite is true.
It broadcasts at a very low power in order to conserve the battery of your mobile device, if you're using with a mobile device and also to conserve the battery. Power on the Bluetooth headset or Bluetooth headphones on a mobile phone. You're going to be limited with the number of options that you have.
It's all about line of sight. Keep that in mind when you're using any Bluetooth device line of sight, the same applies if you're using a Bluetooth device with your computer. And for those people that use. your headphones or headsets or other devices for work purposes. This is going to be important. The same concept applies.
If I take this headphones and connect it over to my laptop. So I've got a laptop back here and these headphones come with an additional accessory. This is a Bluetooth dongle. And if you've seen any of our previous podcasts, we talk about this. You really want to take advantage of this, but it's also got the same problem.
So if I take this should improve the audio. I'm going to go back here and plug it in. Improving the location. The application of that [00:02:00] dongle, so if you're a computer user and you want to use your headphones or your speaker phones that are Bluetooth, what you want to do with that same dongle is use it with what we call a Bluetooth range extender.
It's our Blue Beacon device. This will help you get further in terms of range. Let me show you what it does. If you use the analogy of a cell phone tower, what you'll find is cell phone towers tend to be up on a hill or somewhere where the signal can broadcast down into a valley or into the street. And that's because the signal is much stronger coming down and it will get better line of sight.
So now I'm going to do the same with this computer. Like many of you that work, you may have your computer or your tower that sits down below. You're not going to really get a good signal down there either. So this way you can get up, walk around and put it right here. So now I can be on this side of the monitor that I'm talking on, as well as the other side, if I want to walk away, and I will still maintain the connection.
I could tell you from my own personal experience the last month using this blue beacon. range extender. I can now go to my kitchen with my Bluetooth device. [00:03:00] Whereas before, if I walked into the kitchen, the signal dropped. So this is one way for you to get better, cleaner, improved signal, no matter what Bluetooth device you're on.
As long as that device has a dongle. Now, if it came in the box, you're all set. Use that dongle, put it in. You're good to go. What you'll find is most of the major manufacturers that make Bluetooth devices like headphones, headsets, speakerphones, keyboards, and mouse, like these that are on the screen. All of these manufacturers make a dongle so that you can use those devices with a computer.
So if your issue has been using a computer with any of these devices, this dongle is your key, along with the Blue Beacon. It'll get you the range that you're looking for so that you can move about your home office environment. or inside of your work office. You have a question regarding Bluetooth or anything related to headsets, telephones, speakerphones, or other hands free devices, send us a comment.
We may feature it on a future episode of Answer The Community. In the meantime, [00:04:00] look through our YouTube channel where we have. Videos that are helpful and that can guide you on your journey. And don't forget to hit and subscribe and hit that bell notification. When we released a new episode, as well as nuggets that we released throughout the week, thanks again for joining us and I'll see you the next time on Answer The Community.
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