Google rolled out its January security update alongside the January Pixel Feature Drop for the Pixel 6/7 line of models, which offers spatial audio support for eligible headphones.
Spatial audio, popularized by Apple’s AirPods Pro, mainly simulates multi-speaker surround sound environments. Google has been working on this feature for the past few months, with code introduced in the Android 13 QPR1 beta last September. The feature was briefly available in a stable version, but Google later withdrew it.
IGeekphone has learned that this feature isn’t available on many models — only the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6 Pro (the Pixel 6a isn’t available yet), and the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro models.
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The change, first spotted by Android expert Mishaal Rahman at Esper.io, brings a new Spatializer API to Android that the headset can utilize to create a more powerful sound field. While it seems to support many earbuds and headphones, of course, Google’s own Pixel Buds Pro will (ultimately) provide the best experience.