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Qualcomm aptx / aptX HD encoders are open source for AOSP, and Android manufacturers can now use them for free

Shulou Source: shulou.com Published: 2023-11-24 15:38:33 10月03日 Update

CTOnews.com March 20 news, Qualcomm has its development of aptX and aptX HD audio encoders open source, added to the Android open source project (AOSP), now all Android devices can use these two high-definition audio encoders for free to improve Bluetooth audio quality.

AptX and aptX HD are two coding algorithms designed by Qualcomm to solve the compression loss in Bluetooth audio transmission, which can ensure sound quality and reduce file size and delay at the same time. AptX and aptX HD decoding are already supported by many wireless headphones and speakers, but in order to use these functions, the mobile phone must also have the corresponding coding ability.

In the past, Qualcomm charged high licensing fees for aptX and aptX HD encoders, resulting in the inability or reluctance of some Android device manufacturers and ROM developers to use them. For example, neither Samsung nor Glory phones support aptX HD. Sony provided its LDAC encoder to the Android 8.0 Oreo system for free.

Now Qualcomm has followed Sony's lead by integrating aptX and aptX HD encoders into AOSP and licensed under the Apache license. In this way, any Android-based device or ROM can obtain and use both encoders directly from AOSP without paying any fees to Qualcomm.

In a statement, Qualcomm confirmed that Android OEMs do not have to pay the company license fees to access aptX and aptX HD encoders, which are now part of the AOSP Apache license and can be used free of charge.

However, according to CTOnews.com, Qualcomm only opened up aptX and aptX HD encoders and did not include other more advanced versions, such as aptX Adaptive or low-latency versions. In addition, a decoder is needed to restore the audio signal in the receiver of the Bluetooth connection, not just the encoder. Therefore, if the device manufacturer or ROM developer wants to use another version of aptX or decoder, they still have to pay a license fee to Qualcomm.

Nevertheless, Qualcomm's open source aptX and aptX HD encoders are still good news, which is expected to allow more Android users to enjoy a high-quality Bluetooth audio experience.