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Android announces new hearing aid and screenreader connectivity for Galaxy and Pixel

A person holds a new Samsung Galaxy S25 in the palm of their hand.

Android users who use assistive devices can anticipate in a new era of connection and control, right on their phone.

New to the Samsung Galaxy S25 and harnessing its wireless audio LE Audio tech, Android will be adding next generation Bluetooth connectivity compatible with GN Hearing and Oticon Intent hearing aid devices. According to the company, this enables users of such devices to more efficiently access controls like hands-free calling, settings presets, and lower latency Bluetooth connections.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 live blog: Galaxy S25 series, AI tools, and more

Bluetooth LE Audio technology is a relatively new standard in hearing aid tech, with lower latency connection significantly reducing the delay between sources of audio and the hearing aid itself.

The update was announced as part of Samsung's annual Unpacked event, and will also be available to Google Pixel 9 users who opt-in to the Android 16 beta. It will be added to the Galaxy S24 with Android 15 in the coming weeks, according to the company.

A screenshot of a Samsung Galaxy homescreen showing a hearing aid setting controls menu.
Credit: Google / Samsung

Android will also introduce new updates to TalkBack, its on-device screen reader for users who are blind or low vision. Samsung Galaxy S25 users will have first access to new HID connection options for external braille displays, for example, which will come to all Android 15 devices in coming months. In addition to connectivity updates, Android will also incorporate Google's Gemini models to enhance accessible image descriptions on Galaxy S25 devices.



from Mashable https://ift.tt/K5ZiQUI
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