Key Takeaways
- Qualcomm has introduced Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a new audio platform for wearables.
- The new platform doubles AI processing power and reduces power consumption and space usage.
- It supports advanced features like real-time translation and contextual assistance.
Qualcomm has unveiled Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a cutting-edge audio platform designed to enhance the capabilities of earbuds, headphones, and other wearable devices. This new platform is set to transform future wearables into personal AI assistants, offering a range of advanced features directly to users.
The Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform combines audio processing, voice technology, on-device intelligence, and connectivity. It is engineered to make wearable devices more independent, reducing the need for constant smartphone connectivity for AI interactions.
According to Qualcomm, the new platform delivers 128 GOPS of AI processing and 256 MAC operations per cycle, doubling the figures of its predecessor, Snapdragon S7 Gen 1, which offered 64 GOPS and 128 MAC operations per cycle. This significant increase in processing power is expected to support a wider range of intelligent features.
In addition to enhanced AI capabilities, the new platform is designed to be more energy-efficient, using up to 40% less power and occupying up to 30% less space. This could enable manufacturers to integrate more features into smaller devices, making future wearables more versatile and user-friendly.
Qualcomm highlights that the new platform supports a variety of advanced features, including real-time translation, contextual assistance, personalized hearing, and multimodal AI interactions. These features are expected to bring a more personalized and seamless experience to users, enhancing the overall functionality of wearables.
The platform also includes several connectivity and audio technologies. Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 supports aptX Lossless for high-fidelity wireless audio and XPAN for connectivity beyond traditional Bluetooth range. It also features fifth-generation adaptive active noise cancellation, Qualcomm’s cVc echo and noise suppression technology, and multi-microphone support. These technologies are designed to improve noise reduction and voice pickup during calls and interactions with AI assistants.
Micro-power Wi-Fi 6E is also included, allowing compatible devices to connect directly to AI services. Bluetooth connectivity remains supported, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices. The platform is designed for true wireless earbuds, over-ear headphones, open-ear devices, audio glasses, camera-equipped earbuds, and other emerging multimodal wearables.
Qualcomm is providing reference designs to manufacturers, which could accelerate the development and deployment of devices powered by this new platform. The company expects wearable devices powered by Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 to start appearing in the market soon.
