Qualcomm, the renowned chip-maker, has recently announced the expansion of its S3 Gen 2 Sound platform, with a particular focus on enhancing the gaming experience. This new chip, specifically designed for dongles and adapters, offers a remarkable sub-20ms latency and introduces an additional backchannel for voice chat during gameplay.
The expanded Qualcomm S3 Gen 2 Sound platform combines the powerful Snapdragon Sound technology with LE Audio, resulting in an ultra-low latency of less than 20ms, providing gamers with a lag-free wireless audio experience combined with a voice backchannel for in-game chat. Moreover, Qualcomm highlights that the latency is further reduced when users choose to only receive game audio, omitting the voice chat feature. In addition, a representative from Qualcomm has also mentioned that the new chip could be compatible with wireless charging cases that support audio transmission, allowing users to enjoy wireless entertainment during flights.
One of the notable features of this platform is its support for the latest version of Auracast, a broadcast standard based on Bluetooth LE Audio. Dongles and adapters utilizing Qualcomm’s platform can now cast audio from a wide range of devices such as televisions, smartphones, computers, and gaming consoles to an unlimited number of nearby listeners. This technology offers a variety of applications, including assistive listening at public events, broadcasting announcements, or simply sharing music with friends in close proximity.
With a strong commitment to providing advanced user experiences and audiophile-quality music streaming, Qualcomm continues to deliver innovative solutions. The company has invested significant efforts into reducing latency and improving audio quality with each new iteration of Snapdragon Sound. This latest addition to the Qualcomm S3 Gen 2 Sound portfolio aims to provide the best wireless gaming experience to date. Mike Canevaro, Qualcomm’s marketing director, emphasizes that the demand for lag-free audio during gaming is evident in the annual State of Sound survey conducted by the company. However, until now, such an immersive wireless audio experience has been limited to proprietary gaming solutions. With the expansion of the Qualcomm S3 Gen 2 Sound platform, this exceptional audio experience will become more accessible to gamers worldwide.
While specific devices incorporating this extended platform have yet to be announced, it is evident that compatible accessories will soon follow. Qualcomm’s commitment to enhancing the gaming experience suggests that gamers can look forward to a future where wireless audio and voice chat seamlessly integrate, creating an immersive and lag-free gaming environment.
With Qualcomm’s latest development, the potential applications of wireless audio technology become even more expansive. The combination of Snapdragon Sound and LE Audio not only caters to gamers but also opens up opportunities for a variety of industries. Broadcasting announcements at public events, sharing music with friends, and providing assistive listening capabilities are just a few examples of how this technology can enrich our daily lives.
In summary, Qualcomm’s expansion of the S3 Gen 2 Sound platform paves the way for an enhanced wireless audio experience, with a particular focus on gamers. The new chip offers sub-20ms latency, a voice backchannel for in-game chat, and compatibility with wireless charging cases that support audio transmission. Furthermore, the support for Auracast enables the casting of audio from multiple devices to an unlimited number of nearby listeners. Qualcomm’s dedication to improving audio quality and reducing latency showcases its commitment to providing advanced user experiences. With the extended platform’s announcement, consumers can look forward to a future where high-quality, lag-free wireless audio becomes the norm in gaming and other industries. Although specific devices incorporating this technology have yet to be revealed, the expansion of the S3 Gen 2 Sound platform suggests that compatible accessories are on the horizon.
