More Windows 11 PCs are getting this big Bluetooth update - what you need to try it

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

Microsoft is adopting Bluetooth LE Audio successful immoderate of its Windows 11 PCs.
Bluetooth LE Audio brings audio sharing and ace wideband to Windows 11.
Your laptop and proceeding instrumentality indispensable beryllium compatible with Bluetooth LE Audio.

Microsoft is rolling retired shared audio enactment to compatible Windows 11 PCs, allowing users to broadcast audio from the PC to 2 compatible audio accessories. Some PC models received this diagnostic past October and November, portion others received it arsenic precocious arsenic precocious January.

In a blog post, Microsoft explains that users tin stock euphony with a person oregon ticker a movie unneurotic portion traveling. To effort this feature, users tin alteration their compatible Windows 11 Copilot + PC successful the Windows Dev oregon Beta Channels and instal the latest updates via Windows Update.

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If your PC is not yet compatible, Microsoft says to look retired for operator updates via Windows Updates. Once your instrumentality is compatible, a "Shared audio (preview)" tile should look successful Quick Settings.

Microsoft's implementation of the audio-sharing diagnostic builds connected the Bluetooth LE Audio connectivity standard, which enables audio sharing betwixt Bluetooth-enabled devices. Bluetooth LE is the architecture that supports Auracast, a diagnostic wrong Bluetooth LE Audio that enables a azygous root to broadcast to an unlimited fig of adjacent audio receivers.

Is it Auracast?

Microsoft omits the connection Auracast from its blog post. While the Auracast protocol supports broadcasting to an unlimited fig of adjacent audio receivers, Microsoft's hardware implementation limits the fig of audio receivers its PCs tin broadcast to two. (Limiting the fig of audio receivers that PCs tin broadcast to is wholly wrong Microsoft's discretion arsenic a manufacturer, as I learned from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group earlier this year.)

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Microsoft's blog station says consumers should look for compatible Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, and proceeding immunodeficiency that advertise LE Audio support. Auracast-supported devices tin inactive enactment the caller Windows Bluetooth LE feature, adjacent though Microsoft doesn't specify it.

What other comes with LE Audio connected Windows 11?

Last year, Microsoft announced that definite Windows 11 PCs volition enactment ace wideband (SWB), a Bluetooth LE Audio diagnostic that enhances dependable clarity. SWB replaces older, little businesslike hands-free profiles wrong the Classic Bluetooth radio. SWB's illustration complaint is 32 kHz, perfect for dependable chat portion gaming and for video calls.

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On apical of SWB, prime Windows 11 PCs enactment SWB stereo, which uses 2 audio channels for audio output, creating a much immersive and expansive soundstage for gaming and movie-watching. Both your laptop and headphones, earbuds, oregon proceeding immunodeficiency indispensable beryllium compatible with LE Audio to acquisition it.