Amongst the many changes brought about in the wake of the pandemic was the resurgence of the QR code. During the peak of social distancing, businesses relied on the QR code to help us safely communicate. Now, with the pandemic over, QR codes continue to be a seamless tool for viewing restaurant menus, paying for goods and services, and more. They can even be used to help you find audio in public that you want to hear.
Auracast™ broadcast audio is a new Bluetooth® capability that lets an audio transmitter (smartphone, laptop, TV, public address/sound system, etc.) broadcast audio to an unlimited number of audio receivers (headphones, speakers, earbuds, hearing aids, etc.). Auracast™ broadcast audio lets you share your audio with friends and family, unmute silent TVs in public spaces, and hear your best wherever you go.
Scan to listen experiences
Auracast™ transmitters can provide users with a lot of information about the audio content they are transmitting. Typically, this information includes the name of the transmitter, the type of audio, the specific content (e.g., program or album title), and the language. When you decide what you want to listen to, you simply select it, and an app on your smartphone provides your earbuds with all of the information they need to find and start rendering that stream.
The Bluetooth specification that supports Auracast™ broadcast audio describes how the specific information for an Auracast™ transmitter can be described in a string of data, identifying a single set of audio streams from that transmission. That string of data can be represented by a QR code, or used for a near field (NFC) transmission, where you just need to tap your smartphone against a card reader. As soon as you do that, either with your smartphone or smartwatch, they automatically tell your earbuds, hearing aids, or speakers how to find that audio broadcast and start rendering it to your Bluetooth devices. A few ideal, soon-to-adopt use cases include local bars, museums, and public transportation hubs, such as airports, bus stops, and train stations.
FEATURED PAPER
A New Bluetooth® Audio Scan-to-Listen Experience
Over the past few years, QR codes have made a major comeback for tasks like viewing restaurant menus and making payments. Now, they are being explored for a new purpose: helping users access specific audio content in public spaces simply by scanning the code.
- Local bar: Some bars have multiple silent TVs showing different sports games or television programs. They could have QR codes that, after scanning with your smartphone or smartwatch, allow you to access the Auracast™ broadcasts for the different TVs in the venue. Your earbuds could then pick up the audio from the TV of your choice. To change audio streams, you would simply need to scan the QR code for another TV.
- Museum: The same principle as with the bar can be used wherever there are location-specific audio streams. By scanning the QR code associated with a room or exhibit, you can access audio information about that piece directly in your earbuds. You can use your earbuds, hearing aids, or headsets to choose what you want to hear.
- Public transportation: Using your smartphone, you can scan QR codes posted at a bus stop or transit center to get updates about any changes/delays in schedules and/or routes. And multiple languages can be supported by a single Auracast™ transmitter, providing this information in the language of your choosing.
The future of Auracast™ QR codes
The examples above only scratch the surface of how Auracast™ broadcast audio can be used to enhance your listening experience. Auracast™ QR codes in classrooms, conference rooms, meeting rooms, and lecture halls will give people the option to use their earbuds for secure listening.
As new products come to market, Auracast™ broadcast audio will provide enormous scope for developers to devise completely new user experiences. Ultimately, the ability to use a QR code with Auracast™ broadcast audio will make it easier for you to choose what you want to hear at many of the venues you visit.
Learn more about this new Bluetooth® audio scan-to-listen experience.
FEATURED PAPER
A New Bluetooth® Audio Scan-to-Listen Experience
Over the past few years, QR codes have made a major comeback for tasks like viewing restaurant menus and making payments. Now, they are being explored for a new purpose: helping users access specific audio content in public spaces simply by scanning the code.
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