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Qualcomm’s new chip brings AI closer to everyday earbuds
Qualcomm has made a new chip for earbuds, headphones and audio glasses.
The chip is designed to help these devices use artificial intelligence more directly.
Built-in Wi-Fi could let an earbud connect to the internet without using a phone for every request.
It might help with tasks such as answering questions or translating conversations.
Qualcomm says the chip is more powerful and may use less energy than the previous version.
However, the energy savings were based on computer simulations, not finished earbuds.
The chip can also support devices with small cameras that help AI understand what is nearby.
Companies still need to build real products, so it is not yet clear how much of these features people will get.
Qualcomm introduced Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 for earbuds, headphones and audio glasses.
Built-in Wi-Fi could let compatible devices access AI assistants without routing every request through a phone.
Qualcomm says the chip delivers up to twice the AI processing, uses up to 40% less power and occupies 30% less space.
The platform supports camera-equipped audio devices that can combine visual and audio information for AI.
Actual battery life and consumer availability will depend on manufacturers, software and usage.
- Who
- Qualcomm introduced the platform for manufacturers of earbuds, headphones and audio glasses.
- What
- Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 is an audio chip with built-in Wi-Fi, increased AI processing and support for camera-equipped devices.
- Where
- The Snapdragon Summit took place in Maui.
- When
- It was unveiled at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit.
- Why
- The platform is intended to give wearable audio devices more on-device AI capability and reduce their reliance on smartphones.
Potential Benefits
Important Limitations
Reduced phone dependence
Potential Benefits
Built-in Wi-Fi could allow earbuds and other audio devices to contact AI assistants, translate conversations and answer questions directly.
Important Limitations
The devices will still depend on manufacturers’ designs, software and implementation, so the practical benefit is not guaranteed.
Battery efficiency
Potential Benefits
Qualcomm says the platform can use up to 40% less power than its predecessor.
Important Limitations
The figure came from simulations of an idle chip connected to Wi-Fi, not measurements from a finished earbud, and does not directly mean 40% longer battery life.
Camera-equipped wearables
Potential Benefits
Small cameras could help AI understand a device’s surroundings by combining visual and audio information.
Important Limitations
The camera-equipped concept demonstrated by Cleer has not been confirmed as a commercial product, and Qualcomm says the cameras are intended mainly for environmental understanding rather than photography.
Key facts
- Platform
- Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2
- Target devices
- Earbuds, headphones and audio glasses
- AI performance
- Up to twice the AI processing capability of its predecessor
- Power claim
- Up to 40% less power use, based on computer simulations
- Size claim
- 30% less physical space than the predecessor
- Connectivity
- Built-in Wi-Fi can enable direct internet connections
- Camera support
- Supports audio devices with cameras that provide visual information to AI
Sources
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