Qualcomm’s audio engineers are developing technology for wireless earbuds that seamlessly switch from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi when out of range of the audio source. This feature was tested at Snapdragon Summer in Hawaii using reference earbuds.
The feature, known as XPAN for “Expanded Personal Area Network,” detects if the paired device is in Bluetooth range. If the user moves away, the earbuds automatically switch to Wi-Fi, eliminating interruptions in audio playback.
XPAN technology includes a Wi-Fi antenna in the earbuds, allowing for a range that extends beyond typical Bluetooth limits. The earbuds maintained a connection while walking 30 feet away from the phone, showcasing the technology’s potential.
“Today, with XPAN, it’s 96kHz 24-bit, but we see that evolving to 192kHz to be truly lossless.”
— Dino Bekis, Qualcomm’s General Manager of Connectivity
Qualcomm’s previous-gen S7 and S7 Pro platforms have discussed Wi-Fi audio connections for two years. The first earbuds with XPAN, the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro, support the 96kHz standard and more wireless earbuds are expected soon.
