Bluetooth earbuds can optionally pick up sound from public transport announcements

Bluetooth SIG has announced Auracast. That’s a way to distribute audio to many Bluetooth earbuds and headphones at the same time. As a result, earplugs and headphones can pick up sound from TVs in gyms and announcements in public transport or at airports.

Sound capture from surrounding sources is not automatic. Users must enable it by scanning a QR code or by scanning for broadcasts in the area through the phone’s settings. The function goes auracast and will come in a future version of the bluetooth standard, says Bluetooth SIG†

The feature is intended for announcements at airports and TVs in gyms, among other things, says Bluetooth SIG. Auracast also makes it possible to share audio and, for example, let your own audio be heard to someone who is close by.

It is still unclear in which version of the bluetooth standard Auracast will come and whether current products can support the function with an update.