Google on Tuesday has debuted a new software feature that will simplify and speed-up how Android devices connect to Bluetooth accessories. It’s called Fast Pair.
The new feature, which is now available on devices running Android 6.0 and above, relies on Bluetooth Low Energy and an Android smartphone’s built-in location data. It uses this data to automatically discover nearby Bluetooth accessories — allowing users to automatically connect by tapping on a notification.
If that sounds like the AirPods pairing process, that’s probably because Fast Pair is basically Google’s answer to the hassle-free pairing of Apple’s wireless earbuds.
The hassle-free pairing process will automatically scan a user’s surroundings for nearby accessories that support it, and will then pull the device’s image, name and corresponding companion app from Google’s own servers to appear to a high priority notification. Once pairing is successful, the OS will offer to download the accessory’s app — provided that it has one.
Fast Pair will likely be a welcome addition to the Android ecosystem, and one that could prove especially convenient as more and more Android manufacturers ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack. But, of course, its usefulness as a feature depends entirely on how many accessory makers bake support for it into their devices.
Initially, there won’t be many supported devices. At launch, Fast Pair will support the following headphones.
- Google Pixel Buds
- Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Libra tone Q Adapt On-Ear
- Plantronics Voyager 8200-series wireless headset.
Of course, Google is actively looking to have accessory makers adopt the feature. In its blog post, it even recommends that Bluetooth gadget manufacturers reach out to them directly so they can add Fast Pair support.
As mentioned previously, Fast Pair will work on supported Android devices with compatibility back to Android 6.0. To use Fast Pair, however, users will need to have the latest version of Google Play Services installed (11.7 or above). That update will roll out in the next few days and weeks, Google said.
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