Subj : Google TV sets will get much better wireless headphones support
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Mon Jan 15 2024 12:15:05

Google TV sets will get much better wireless headphones support

Date:
Mon, 15 Jan 2024 12:07:43 +0000

Description:
Fast pairing and easy switching mean you might actually want to use 
headphones with your TV.

FULL STORY
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There was good news for Google TV users at CES 2024 this month, when Google 
announced the long-awaited arrival of Fast Pair for the platform. That makes 
it much easier and faster to connect the best wireless headphones to your 
Google TV if they support this feature, and its been a long time coming  we 
first saw the feature on phones back in 2018, so Google hasnt exactly been 
busting its chops here 

But theres another improvement coming, and while Google didnt make a big fuss 
about, it could be just as useful if you use headphones as well as speakers 
to enjoy your on-screen entertainment: it's a new quick audio switcher that 
solves a problem thats an irritation for some. 

If you use Bluetooth headphones with a Google TV (such as Sony or TCL 
models), youve probably encountered the fairly annoying issue where you cant 
quickly switch from headphones to speakers or soundbar; depending on the 
hardware you have, it tends to mean diving through a lot of screens to find 
the appropriate setting to switch your audio output. 

If thats you, the new audio switcher for Google TV cant come soon enough. 
Although right now it looks like you may have to wait a little while to get 
it unless youre buying a brand new TV. What does the new Google TV audio 
switcher do? 

Its just as simple as the name suggests: its a fast way to switch audio 
outputs. 

As 9to5Google reports, the new switcher was demonstrated at CES and makes it 
easy to switch between your Bluetooth headphones and the TVs speakers; while 
switching to other audio devices such as soundbars and AV receivers wasnt 
demoed, the assumption is that the switcher will work just as well for those 
too. It'll just be a couple of presses, no hassle. 

So you must be wondering when will the new Google TV audio switcher be 
available. Thats a very good question, and so far we dont have an answer: the 
feature was demonstrated on a TCL QM8 TV at CES, so presumably its coming to 
other TCL TVs too, and it would be distinctly odd if it didnt also come to 
more of the best TVs powered by Google TV, including Hisense and Sony models. 

It seems like a great upgrade, though  lots of the best headphones and best 
wireless earbuds support Google Fast Pair, and sometimes you just want to 
watch something on a big screen without disturbing others (or being 
disturbed), and headphones make that easier. You might also like Google 
Chromecast is getting an upgrade  here's whats new A huge Google TV update 
adds 800 free TV channels  here are some of the best I tested TiVos new smart 
TV platform, and Google TV isnt enough anymore



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/televisions/google-tv-sets-are-about-to-get-much-bet
ter-wireless-headphones-support


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