During IFA 2018, Qualcomm announced a new wireless audio codec created for the wire-free music listening experience. The aptX Adaptive standard aims to deliver a robust, hi-res and glitch-free listening experience to the masses.
According to Qualcomm, the new codec is designed “to adjust automatically to provide optimum audio quality depending on what content is being played on the device and the external radio frequency (RF) environment.” To put it simply; audio played through a device with the new codec automatically adjusts the volume and quality of the audio.
The new codec will also automatically select between low latency and high-frequency transmissions on the same built-in antenna without the user fiddling with its settings. More importantly, aptX Adaptive will also support older codecs such as aptX and aptX HD.
Qualcomm said that the new codec will be introduced with a yet-to-be announced chipset, which presumably is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. This means that the first devices featuring the new codec will only be out sometime early next year. Which in our estimation, would also be around CES 2019.
The development of aptX Adaptive also marks the beginning of the demise of the 3.5mm audio jack. As it stands, many premium smartphones in today’s market ship come without a 3.5mm headphone port. As smartphone makers are opting to creating a more seamless and wireless ecosystem with their phones.
(Source: Qualcomm via PhoneArena)
