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Harnessing Bluetooth LE audio tech for good.
By Chase DiBenedetto on
New wireless connection options will bring speed and control to assistive device users on Android Credit: Yuki Iawmura / Bloomberg via Getty Images
Android users who use assistive devices can anticipate in a new era of connection and control, right on their phone.
New to the Samsung Galaxy S25 and harnessing its wireless audio LE Audio tech, Android will be adding next generation Bluetooth connectivity compatible with GN Hearing and Oticon Intent hearing aid devices. According to the company, this enables users of such devices to more efficiently access controls like hands-free calling, settings presets, and lower latency Bluetooth connections.
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Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 live blog: Galaxy S25 series, AI tools, and moreBluetooth LE Audio technology is a relatively new standard in hearing aid tech, with lower latency connection significantly reducing the delay between sources of audio and the hearing aid itself.
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The update was announced as part of Samsung's annual Unpacked event, and will also be available to Google Pixel 9 users who opt-in to the Android 16 beta. It will be added to the Galaxy S24 with Android 15 in the coming weeks, according to the company.
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Credit: Google / Samsung
Android will also introduce new updates to TalkBack, its on-device screen reader for users who are blind or low vision. Samsung Galaxy S25 users will have first access to new HID connection options for external braille displays, for example, which will come to all Android 15 devices in coming months. In addition to connectivity updates, Android will also incorporate Google's Gemini models to enhance accessible image descriptions on Galaxy S25 devices.
Topics Android Google Samsung Social Good Accessibility
Chase joined Mashable's Social Good team in 2020, covering online stories about digital activism, climate justice, accessibility, and media representation. Her work also touches on how these conversations manifest in politics, popular culture, and fandom. Sometimes she's very funny.
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