Bose starts adding Auracast to its headphones

A new firmware update for the $449 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2 adds support for Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast as beta features. The flagship Ultra headphones are the first from Bose to support the audio sharing technology, which the company plans to bring to more devices soon.

Only a few major manufacturers include Auracast, and only on select headphones or earbuds — including Sony, JBL headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds, and Sennheiser, which also released an Auracast transmitter this year. Some smaller companies, like EarFun, have added support. But Bose is one of the most recognizable names in headphones, so the fact that it’s finally jumping in is big news for Auracast.

Auracast was officially announced back in 2022, but the adoption process has been slow. The technology allows a device to broadcast Bluetooth audio to any number of supported headphones or speakers at the same time. This could be for gate announcements while waiting at the airport, a performance at a local venue, or a college lecture. You can even use Auracast at home to watch TV while kids are asleep or for extra hearing assistance — some Samsung and LG TVs have the functionality buried in their menus.

The firmware update, labeled 10.12.12, has been quietly rolling out the past few weeks. Alongside Bluetooth LE and Auracast, it adds improved audio over wired USB connections, including balance for gaming audio and chat, and better compatibility for web conferencing apps.

Bose spokesperson Tim Williams told The Verge via email that the QC Headphones (Gen 2), which I recently reviewed, should get the beta firmware next.