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One of the issues Hold Auracast again Of more widespread use is some companies’ lack of Bluetooth support – Apple being a prime example of this. With iOS 58% market share in North America and nearly 28 percent worldwide, Apple’s decision to enable native Auracast support will likely result in millions of Auracast devices in the world coming through a firmware update. So far, Apple hasn’t made any comment on Auracast, and I’m not hopeful we’ll get one anytime soon.
But audio technology company Atitan thinks it has a solution. It’s developing a small disc-shaped transceiver — the SplitR — that can plug into an iPhone’s MagSafe and turn it into an Auracast device capable of sending or receiving an Auracast broadcast. The company’s ConnectR app, which will be available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play this coming summer, will allow you to watch broadcasts around you, your connected devices, and create your own Auracast channels or group listening sessions. You’ll be able to interact with all your streaming platforms to play songs and playlists. Aitan adds a social component as well, allowing for posting and chatting with friends.
However, the SplitR isn’t just for Apple. Although the device will fit a MagSafe connection (although the first version I saw was still a bit small for one), you can connect any non-Auracast product to it using a USB-C or 3.5mm cable to give this device Auracast capability. Atitan told me that the next iteration will be able to pair wirelessly to translate classic Bluetooth connectivity into Bluetooth LE Auracast transmission.
SplitR can connect to a speaker to play content from your phone or Auracast-enabled TV, or set up your turntable to send an Auracast stream to play on your headphones or speakers. If you have enough Split-R transceivers, you can create a whole-home Auracast system. And unlike some Auracast-compatible companies that restrict their devices to only work within their ecosystem, SplitR broadcasts are open to any Auracast headphones or speakers that are allowed to receive them.
What I saw during my demo at CES was encouraging. In addition to sharing music streaming with friends, Auracast has the ability to help those who need hearing aid, either while out at concerts, airports, church, lectures, or just at home while watching TV. The more Auracast is able to reach products — whether natively or using switchers like SplitR — the more mainstream uses of its accessibility will become.
Other Auracast transmitters on the market that I’ve tried can be difficult to use, but the Atitan team is invested in making a product that’s easy to use and brings all your services and devices together in one app. The company will be launching a Kickstarter campaign in the next few months for the SplitR transceiver and currently has a waiting list for the ConnectR app.