Qualcomm has announced a new technology called Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Engineered to end uncomfortable earbud while preserving noise cancellation, Adaptive ANC does a number of things. Not least of all, it steps away from the need to have a perfect fit in-ear. As the branding implies, it allows earbuds to adapt in real-time to changes in fit too.
Summarily, the new technology should allow for rapid development, better comfort, and sound quality improvements. Additionally, that should all effectively be out-of-the-box improvements. And all without reducing consistency in audio from user-to-user.
How does Qualcomm Adaptive ANC work?
Now, specifics about how Qualcomm Adaptive ANC will work have not been detailed. But Qualcomm did provide an overview of how the technology is expected to perform. And of its reasoning for developing the technology.
The company found in its latest analysis that in-ear comfort is the top reason why as many as 53-percent of users buy earbuds. The 2020 State of Play report also showed that demand for active noise cancellation is on the rise, year-over-year. But standard ANC doesn’t quite meet both criteria. And that’s because it depends on a tightly sealed space between the earbud and the wall of the ear.
That, in itself, can cause discomfort, forcing companies to sell earbuds with different ear tips in the box.
With Adaptive ANC, Qualcomm says that earbuds can dynamically adapt sound playback in real-time. That’s based on tightness of fit and the level of leak-through. So, regardless of whether a user iss running laps or sitting on the couch, for wearables built on the platform, sound output and noise cancellation will adapt to suit those factors. That means users won’t need to wedge the earbuds in to ensure great sound quality.
The ANC ramps up or down based on fit and environmental sound.
What does this mean for developers?
The technology, now available as a Qualcomm Reference Design solution should also make a big difference for buyers via developers. Namely, OEMs making Bluetooth wireless earbuds. That’s because it allows adaptation in both the way ANC works and in form factor. And because it brings the latest features from voice assistant access to battery life improvements.
As to when this will arrive in earbuds on shelves, that’s less certain. But the solution is also available right now via the Qualcomm QCC514x Bluetooth Audio SoC. So it shouldn’t be too long at all before the best earbuds available are utilizing Adaptive ANC.
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Source: ndroidheadlines.com