Home Sony updates new LinkBuds earbuds with Google’s Find My Device

Sony updates new LinkBuds earbuds with Google’s Find My Device

TLDR

  • Sony launched new LinkBuds earbuds and its first speaker with Find My Device support.
  • The Auto Switch feature lets users easily swap audio playback between Sony devices.
  • Updates include Google Fast Pair and a redesigned Sound Connect app for easier pairing.

Sony has unveiled its latest collection in its LinkBuds range, which includes two new pairs of earbuds and the first speaker in the range. The latest update for Sony’s premium WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds and WH-1000XM5 headphones brings support for new features from the company’s LinkBuds Speaker and adds compatibility with Google’s Find My Device network.

Sony adds Find My Device to earbuds

For anyone who has a habit of losing their earphones, Find My Device will make them easier to locate if they go missing away from home.

Apart from this, the company has also updated its Sound Connect app to complement the new feature, so that the earbuds emit a beep to help you locate them. However, this function only works when the earbuds are connected to your phone via Bluetooth, which means the case must stay open for it to work.

Auto Switch is now available

It also has a Auto Switch feature, which means listeners can swap audio playback between enabled Sony devices by turning one off. The Fast Pair feature makes Bluetooth pairing much easier, as users will see a new pop-up for quick connection as soon as heir Sony device comes into close proximity for the first time.

The app itself has had a bit of a facelift. The yellow headphone icon has been replaced with a more modern design and it is far more streamlined. There is now redesigned bottom tabs for “My Device,” “Discover,” and “Menu.”

The features are reportedly now also available on the Linkbuds S, as several users took to X to confirm the upgrade.

The WH-1000XM5 headphones’ version 2.3.1 update introduces enhanced security features, while the WF-1000XM5 earbuds’ version 4.0.2 update adds support for “Google Fast Pair through LE Audio priority connection,” simplifying the pairing process with Android devices. The updates are currently rolling out to supported Sony wireless audio products with the latest firmware versions.

Featured image: Sony

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Suswati Basu
Tech journalist

Suswati Basu is a multilingual, award-winning editor and the founder of the intersectional literature channel, How To Be Books. She was shortlisted for the Guardian Mary Stott Prize and longlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Award. With 18 years of experience in the media industry, Suswati has held significant roles such as head of audience and deputy editor for NationalWorld news, digital editor for Channel 4 News and ITV News. She has also contributed to the Guardian and received training at the BBC As an audience, trends, and SEO specialist, she has participated in panel events alongside Google. Her…

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