Is Google working on a Spatial Audio equivalent?

Is Google planning a move into immersive audio?  · 

Source:
Google

Leaks from the Beta 1 testing of Android 13 point to a new Google Spatial Audio equivalent. The giveaway was the spatializer effect found within the Pixel Pro 6 files. Tech Journalist, Mishaal Rahman made the discovery, and also found a shared library file linked to spatial audio. This suggests Google is making a move into immersive audio in direct competition with Apple, which is already making developments in this area.

Will there be a ‘Google’ Spatial Audio?

According to the publication, Protocol, it’s possible Google has been working on spatial audio since the acquisition of Dysonics last year. Within the assets were patents for tracking binaural sound, along with Dysonic’s entire IP. Google has made other acquisitions too, like Synaptics audio hardware division in 2020. Meanwhile, RevX Technologies was another IP buyout, and the wireless earbud tech startup Tempow was also bought by Google.

Since its launch in August last year, Apple has been pushing Spatial Audio with a few new initiatives. On the official page, Apple states, “Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking brings theatre-like sound that surrounds you from the movie or video you’re watching, so that it seems as if the sound is coming from all around you. The sound field stays mapped to the device, and the voice stays with the actor or action on screen.”

A recent free update has also brought 3D audio mixing to Logic Pro. This is provided you’re on Apple silicon and MacOS Monterey version 12.3 or later. It seems that Google and many other tech companies will challenge for market share within this new immersive audio space. As this happens, we will not only see the technology become more accessible, but it’s highly likely that new media formats will arise to harness the new features it provides.

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