Sony’s Headphones Are Getting Find My Device Functionality, Which I Desperately Need

As reported by Mishaal Rahman (via 9to5Google), Sony is rolling retired caller firmware updates to its WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones (version 2.3.1), WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds (version 4.0.2), and the LinkBuds S (version 4.2.1). These updates are blessing the devices with Google’s Find My Device diagnostic and Auto Switch. The buds are besides getting Fast Pair functionality.

With Apple’s AirPods supporting iOS’ Find My functionality and the lawsuit for the AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 (with ANC) including a talker to play alerts, it was astir clip Google extended its enactment to immoderate of the best headphones and earbuds connected the market. Hopefully, it’s going to go a batch easier to find your earbuds erstwhile you inevitably misplace them successful betwixt the sofa cushions.

Auto Switch is besides coming to each 3 devices. Sony conscionable introduced this diagnostic connected the precocious released LinkBuds line, which includes the LinkBuds Open, the LinkBuds Fit wireless buds, and the LinkBuds portable speaker. Auto Switch allows you to seamlessly swap playback betwixt antithetic devices. If you’re listening to euphony connected Sony headphones and crook them disconnected astatine immoderate point, the dependable volition automatically beryllium transferred to an Auto-Switch-enabled speaker. And if you determine to deterioration your headphones again, it volition power backmost to your ears.

It reminds maine of the audio swap diagnostic Sonos experimented with connected its debut over-ear headphones, Sonos Ace, and its soundbar, Sonos Arc. Sony’s taking a overmuch wiser attack by not limiting the integration to conscionable a $900 flagship soundbar, for which Sonos received a just magnitude of criticism.

The WF-1000XM5s are the lone instrumentality retired of the 3 to person Fast Pair functionality implicit Bluetooth LE Audio, the latest Bluetooth generation introducing Auracast. Fast Pair enactment means Android users connected the Sony buds volition spot a small pop-up look connected their phones erstwhile they bring the 2 devices successful adjacent proximity. This is similar to what Apple offers connected its AirPods to promote users to enactment wrong its ecosystem.

Sony besides renamed its companion app from Headphones Connect to Sound Connect and gave the app icon a implicit revamp. 9to5Google lists 3 changes wrong the app. First, the My Device tab present features settings and a shortcut enactment truthful you tin rapidly navigate to the functions you astir use. The Discover tab volition beryllium capable to notify you of features you should alteration utilizing information connected however you usage the device. Lastly, the Auto Play function, which antecedently had a dedicated app of its own, is present integrated into the Sound Connect app.