Fast Pair

At CES 2024, Google has a number of Chromecast and television announcements, including how Fast Pair is rolling out to the Chromecast with Google TV very soon.

After being teased officially for other markets, new information is coming out regarding the new “OnePlus Buds 3,” which might be more affordable than expected.

With the new Pixel 8 series, Google is adding a Fast Pair-integrated setup process that’s super quick and super easy, but there is one downside: it doesn’t let you use a cable, at least not easily.

There are a few key boxes wireless headphones or earbuds need to tick off for me to consider them a “win.” The Jabra Elite 10 earbuds do just that and more. They’re extremely comfortable and produce some of the best, no-nonsense audio I’ve heard in quite a while.

Google officially announced Fast Pair for Chromebooks in January of 2022, and it’s now rolling out with ChromeOS 111.

Google says that, finally, Fast Pair is coming to ChromeOS.

Google has prepared a new way to get started with setting up your next Android phone via Fast Pair, potentially arriving with the Galaxy S23 series.

Since its launch, Fast Pair has grown beyond Bluetooth headphones to smartwatches and Matter smart home devices. Fast Pair’s next device category looks to be the stylus ahead of the Pixel Tablet.

The past couple of years have brought the arrival of some much-needed features on Android in the launch and fast expansion of Fast Pair and Nearby Share, but despite Google’s promise over a year ago, neither has arrived on Windows PCs, the company’s own Google TV platform, or even ChromeOS.

After rolling out Chromecast support, Google announced at CES 2023 that Android’s media output switcher will support Spotify Connect as it pushes more cross-device experiences.

As we suspected, Pixel Watch packaging appearing at Target over the weekend is a wider occurrence as someone received a Fast Pair prompt while near an electronics store.

Google Fast Pair is a fantastic feature we often find ourselves using on Android devices. It makes pairing and switching between phones and tablets a little easier, even if it’s still a hassle. Out to change that, Google is introducing a new technology teased back at Google I/O 2022 called audio switching that compliments the already existing Fast Pair on the Pixel Buds Pro and more devices down the road.

Fast Pair started as Google’s way to quickly connect Bluetooth headphones to Android phones and will soon do the same on Chrome OS. Google alluded today that Fast Pair is coming to Wear OS in what could be preparation for the Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Pro.

Google announced its Pixel Buds Pro recently, but they’re still a few weeks out. If you’re in need of the Assistant integration, smart features, and active noise cancellation today, Sony LinkBuds S might be exactly what you need.

Truly wireless earbuds have a variety of use cases, but their small and portable form factor have, for me, always been a great fit for ambient audio. That’s a purpose that most brands have basically ignored, short of Google’s Pixel Buds. The new Sony LinkBuds go all-in on mixing your music with the surrounding world, and I’ve been waiting years for these to exist.

There are a lot of users out there who don’t mind setting their earbuds to ambient mode and going on with their lives. With the Sony Link Buds, that seems to be the main focus.

While Chrome OS is Google’s “desktop” platform for laptops and other computers, many Android users turn to Windows for a more powerful operating system. Google is now fully embracing that trend, with plans to bring Nearby Share and Fast Pair to Windows PCs.

Google’s Fast Pair system allows Android users to easily connect their headphones to smartphones and tablets, and going into 2022 it’s expanding. Fast Pair is coming to Google TV and Android TV OS devices.

In the years since Apple launched its first pair of AirPods, the market for truly wireless earbuds has absolutely exploded. Today, you can find a pair that will get the job done at just about any price point. I’ve found that when picking out earbuds, the most important thing to find is a balance that works for you, and it’s a tricky task. For the vast majority of people, though, I think the Jabra Elite 3 hit the right notes at the right price.