Sony WF-1000XM5 & WH-1000XM6 update adds audio sharing and Gemini Live support

I’ve noticed a sudden parade of Sony headphones on my X timeline lately, and its clear that the XM crowd is outside flexing. So if you’re one of them, Sony just dropped an update you’ll actually care about. The company is rolling out fresh upgrades to its premium noise-canceling lineup, giving the WF-1000XM5 earbuds and WH-1000XM6 headphones new tricks that make them smarter and a lot more social.

The biggest update is Audio Sharing with Fast Pair, powered by Bluetooth LE Audio’s Auracast. If you’re using a recent Android phone that supports BLE Audio like newer Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, or OnePlus models, you’ll now be able to pair two wireless headphones to the same device and listen together. Even better, you can create a private broadcast that others can join using a QR code or Google Fast Pair, so no more awkward earbud sharing or splitter cables like it’s 2010. Google had teased in early September that more Sony models would get these BLE Audio features, and this rollout makes good on that promise.

Sony is also bringing Google’s Gemini Live conversational AI assistant to both devices. So aside from letting you escape the world, your headphones will now talk back and handle tasks hands-free. On top of that, Sony says it has improved system software security and added support for head tracking and digital assistants over Bluetooth LE Audio. However, after installing the update, you’ll have to re-pair your headphones before these new features take effect.

The WF-1000XM5 earbuds are getting an extra perk through Google’s Find My Device network. You’ll now be able to locate the left and right earbuds individually and even disable Find Hub tracking entirely, and you can do that without using the charging case, which wasn’t possible before.

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Here’s the full changelog:

• The following features are now available even when connected to LE Audio:
  • Digital Assistant
  • Head Tracking
  Note: To use Digital Assistant and Head Tracking with LE Audio, please delete the pairing information of this headset from the connected device and then re-pair the devices after completing this update.
• Support for Gemini Live is now available
• Support for Audio Sharing with Fast Pair is available
• The Find Hub feature can now be used to locate each headset (left and right) individually
• The Find Hub feature can be disabled without using the charging case
• Enhances system software security features

All these updates are rolling out now via the Sony Sound Connect app, so if your headphones have been getting more screen time than your friends lately, it might be the perfect moment to level them up.