Sony is rolling out a major firmware update for its top-tier noise-canceling lineup—the WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds and WH-1000XM6 headphones—bringing audio sharing, Google’s Gemini Live assistant, and a suite of other upgrades. The update is available now through the company’s Sound Connect mobile app.
Share your sound with Auracast
The headline addition is Audio Sharing, powered by Bluetooth LE Audio’s Auracast technology and integrated with Google Fast Pair. With a compatible Android phone (such as recent Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and OnePlus devices), users can:
- Connect two pairs of headphones simultaneously to one device, making it easy to watch a movie or listen to music with a friend.
- Create a private broadcast session where multiple listeners can join via QR code or Fast Pair, turning a single phone into a shared audio hub.
This places Sony alongside rivals like Apple and Samsung, both of which have promoted similar “listen together” features in their ecosystems. Google recently expanded Auracast support across Android, and Sony is among the first major headphone makers to tap into it.
Smarter, more secure, and more trackable
Beyond sharing audio, the update adds:
- Support for Google’s Gemini Live AI assistant, enabling conversational control through your headphones.
- Head tracking when connected over LE Audio, giving spatial audio a more immersive edge.
- System security enhancements that Sony says improve the overall stability and safety of wireless connections.
- A requirement to re-pair your headphones after the update to enable new LE Audio and tracking functions.
For the WF-1000XM5 earbuds, there’s an extra perk: deeper integration with Google’s Find My Device network. Owners can now pinpoint the left and right earbuds individually and, for the first time, disable tracking without relying on the charging case.
Why it matters
This update not only extends the value of Sony’s existing hardware but also signals a broader industry shift toward Bluetooth LE Audio as the next-generation standard.
Features like Auracast could make it as common to share a soundtrack as it is to share a Wi-Fi password. For Sony, it’s a timely upgrade that strengthens its competitive edge in the premium headphone market while pushing new audio tech into the mainstream.
