Google, Qualcomm Team Up to Make It Easier for Headphone Makers to Add Google Assistant

The adoption of true Google Assistant integration into headphones has never really picked up any steam. There are a handful of headphones with Google Assistant onboard, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I figured there would be so many more at this point. Today, Google and Qualcomm announced a new smart headset platform that will try and convince more headphone makers to get with it.

The new Qualcomm Smart Headset Platform uses Qualcomm’s low power Bluetooth audio chips and features both Google Assistant and support for Google Fast Pair. They’ve built a reference design too, one that offers push-button access to Google Assistant. You can see it above.

The hope here is that headphone companies will use this kit to add Google Assistant and Fast Pair, but also be able to create products in a “variety of product tiers and categories.” If anything, it should mean a more connected audio experience and the opportunity for all headphone players to quickly produce related products.

Qualcomm wil lstart selling this new Smart Headset Platform today.

// Google | Qualcomm