Apple Music on Android reportedly won't get Spatial Audio

Spatial Audio, based on Dolby Atmos, won't be crossing over to Apple Music's Android app; at least that's what MySmartPrice reported. It offers a more immersive experience with improvements to the standard 5.1 and 7.1 channel setups by adding extra channels to make it seem like the sound is coming from overhead. It's Apple's way of bringing a similar immersive three-dimensional audio experience to those using Apple hardware.

MySmartPrice said it got confirmation from Apple India about the sound tech not crossing over to Android, but it isn't clear right now why it wouldn't be available. MacRumors speculated it might be because Apple doesn't have control over third-party headphones and Android devices to implement the technology. The good news is Apple Music's Lossless audio streaming will be coming to Android.

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Google teases big Wear OS update to be announced at I/O 2021

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Google hasn't made any upgrades to its Wear OS since 2018. But the company is ready to update the smartwatch platform with announcements at this week's Google I/O Developer Conference. The company sent out a tweet from the official Wear OS Twitter account, teasing updates to be announced this Tuesday. Google has also hinted at featuring an entirely new version of Wear OS on the I/O Adventure page, a "virtual sandbox" for trying out Google products announced at the conference.

There are rumours that Google might have some new hardware to share, with Samsung reportedly dropping Tizen OS to release a Wear OS watch. If that's true, we might hear more about it this Tuesday.

Source: The Verge

Apple Music's Lossless feature needs wired headphones, AirPods to only get Spatial Audio

Apple has clarified and shared more details on its new Lossless and Spatial Audio offerings. You can enable Lossless with any pair of headphones, but it will not work over Bluetooth, so none of the AirPods will support the feature. Even the AirPods Max with its Lightning-to-3.5mm connector for wired use won't get the Lossless option. You'll need wired headphones to get the better sound quality option. And for the even higher Apple Music Hi Res Lossless, you'll need an external DAC to get it to work.

As for Spatial Audio, the AirPods will get support for the feature; the same goes for Beats models with Apple's H1 or W1 chip. If you're wondering about the HomePod or HomePod mini, these won't get the Lossless feature either. Spatial Audio will be coming to the HomePod, but we don't know if the HomePod mini will get it. Compatible Mac machines will get Spatial Audio as well.

Source: 9to5Mac + MacRumors