15:46Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Qualcomm unveils new audio chip for AI-powered headphones
Qualcomm has unveiled the new Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 audio chip, designed for artificial intelligence features. The chip can be used in in-ear and over-ear headphones, audio glasses and camera-equipped devices. It may also be used in future accessories that process audio, images and other data together. The company has not yet announced any specific products or release dates.
According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 is 2 times more powerful than the previous Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform for on-device AI processing. Power consumption is reduced by up to 40% compared with the Snapdragon S7+ Gen 1. The chip has a small dedicated unit called an eNPU for AI processing. This unit works together with processing performed on phones and in cloud systems. As a result, accessories may need to be charged less frequently. Potential chip features include real-time on-device translation and more natural conversations with a voice assistant. It could also make conversations clearer for people with hearing difficulties. Camera-equipped headphones could use the chip to recognize nearby objects and tell users what they see. These use cases also include AI models such as Gemini running directly on Android XR devices.
XPAN technology, designed for audio connectivity, uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth together. Wi-Fi 6E supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. It also operates at 6 GHz. This makes it possible to listen to music, audiobooks and calls on different floors of a home and even through walls without staying near the phone. According to Qualcomm, the faster connection keeps AI features continuously ready without harming battery life or audio quality.
The chip can deliver 16-bit, 44.1 kHz CD-quality audio with the aptX Lossless codec. Although the audio is compressed, there is no loss of quality. With Wi-Fi-based XPAN, quality increases to as high as 24-bit and 192 kHz. The platform also has a transparency mode that allows users to hear ambient sounds. Qualcomm's 5th-generation adaptive active noise cancellation system uses AI to reduce unwanted sounds. Qualcomm has begun working with Cleer to develop camera-equipped in-ear headphones. The cameras will be used for AI features. However, it is not yet known whether the device will go on sale. The company has also not announced other manufacturers or models that will use the new chip. It is therefore unclear when the platform will appear in actual products.
According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 is 2 times more powerful than the previous Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform for on-device AI processing. Power consumption is reduced by up to 40% compared with the Snapdragon S7+ Gen 1. The chip has a small dedicated unit called an eNPU for AI processing. This unit works together with processing performed on phones and in cloud systems. As a result, accessories may need to be charged less frequently. Potential chip features include real-time on-device translation and more natural conversations with a voice assistant. It could also make conversations clearer for people with hearing difficulties. Camera-equipped headphones could use the chip to recognize nearby objects and tell users what they see. These use cases also include AI models such as Gemini running directly on Android XR devices. XPAN technology, designed for audio connectivity, uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth together. Wi-Fi 6E supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. It also operates at 6 GHz. This makes it possible to listen to music, audiobooks and calls on different floors of a home and even through walls without staying near the phone. According to Qualcomm, the faster connection keeps AI features continuously ready without harming battery life or audio quality. The chip can deliver 16-bit, 44.1 kHz CD-quality audio with the aptX Lossless codec. Although the audio is compressed, there is no loss of quality. With Wi-Fi-based XPAN, quality increases to as high as 24-bit and 192 kHz. The platform also has a transparency mode that allows users to hear ambient sounds. Qualcomm's 5th-generation adaptive active noise cancellation system uses AI to reduce unwanted sounds. Qualcomm has begun working with Cleer to develop camera-equipped in-ear headphones. The cameras will be used for AI features. However, it is not yet known whether the device will go on sale. The company has also not announced other manufacturers or models that will use the new chip. It is therefore unclear when the platform will appear in actual products.