Despite make his debut in 2019, Sony’s immersive 360 Reality Audio format is still limited to a handful of services and devices, including Tidal, the Amazon Echo Studio and Japanese society speakers and headphones. But object-based spatial audio technology – which promises room-filling sound that feels like it’s coming from all directions – could be about to snap a shot. XDA Developers has seen Android code reviews suggesting that Google is working with Sony to integrate 360 Reality Audio into its mobile operating system.
The code mentions adding support for the MPEG-H 3D Audio format – which allows vocals, instruments, and other sounds to be placed around the listener – to Android’s MPEG4Extractor system component. Other parties also make specific reference to 360 Reality Audio, including a comment from Sony software engineer Kei Murayama that appears to confirm the partnership between the two companies. “This is one of the fixes mentioned during the ‘Support for Android OS 360RA’ meeting between Google and Sony,” the code read.
While the work is probably still in its early stages, support for the format would eventually make it easier for Android app makers to integrate 3D audio playback into their apps. While services that already offer the format may not require supported devices, according to a bit in the code that mentions a virtualizer that works with “any headset”.
The move certainly matches that of Sony big plan to bring 360 Reality Audio to the masses. So far, he has focused on creating software tools that could boost the format’s meager library (with just 4,000 tracks supported in January) and has built gigs and studios capable of capturing audio. improved. To enable the feature on phones and audio devices, Sony said it will license the headphone customization technology from its Headphones app to other manufacturers. Winning Google’s Android – the the most popular Mobile OS in the world – would mark a major victory.
