Audio sharing Archives

Winsage

March 20, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1743 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1743 has been released to the Canary Channel. New features include: - A shared audio feature that allows two users to share audio with individual volume sliders for each listener and a taskbar indicator for audio sharing. - The context menu now displays the “Open” verb that matches the icon of the file's default application when right-clicking on .exe, .bat, or .cmd files. - An updated Feedback Hub app with a simpler feedback submission flow, improved navigation, a new compliment feedback type, options for private or public feedback, and enhanced screenshot capture tools. Additional notes for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel include that features are rolled out gradually, a desktop watermark is present in pre-release builds, some features may appear in other channels first, localization may be incomplete, and exiting the Canary Channel requires a clean installation of Windows 11.

Winsage

February 28, 2026

Microsoft testing Windows 11 batch file security improvements

Microsoft has released new Windows 11 Insider Preview builds that enhance security and performance for batch files and CMD scripts. IT administrators can now activate a secure processing mode by adding the LockBatchFilesInUse registry value, which prevents modifications to batch files while they are running. This update also requires signature validation only once per batch file, improving performance. Additionally, the Shared Audio feature has been refined, allowing users to share audio across multiple devices with individual volume sliders and a new taskbar indicator. The feature now supports more Bluetooth LE Audio accessories, including Samsung Galaxy Buds 4, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Xbox Wireless Headset. These updates are available for Windows Insiders in the Beta and Dev channels with specific preview builds installed.

Winsage

February 27, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7934 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7934 (KB5077242) has been released to the Beta Channel. Key updates include: - Enhanced security and performance for batch files with a new secure mode that ensures batch files remain unchanged during execution, improving performance and security. - Shared audio feature now includes individual volume sliders for each listener and a taskbar indicator for ongoing audio sharing sessions. - A new command for Narrator users allows reading the status bar contents in applications like Word and Excel. - The rollout of improved taskbar animations has been temporarily paused. - Reliability improvements for removing Windows Update files and windows.old files. - Enhanced typing reliability with the ADLaM keyboard. - The Paint app has introduced a freeform rotate feature for shapes, text, and selections. Insiders can access these updates through Settings > Windows Update, and features may be gradually rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. A desktop watermark is displayed for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

Winsage

November 1, 2025

Windows 11 tests shared Bluetooth audio support, but only for AI PCs

Microsoft is testing a "shared audio" feature on Copilot+ PCs that utilizes Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology, allowing simultaneous audio streaming to two Bluetooth devices. This feature is part of Windows 11 Build 26220.7051 (KB5067115) and can be activated through quick settings. Currently, it is compatible with select PCs, including various models of Surface laptops and Surface Pro devices, and will expand to additional devices in the future, such as Samsung Galaxy Book models. Users will need compatible audio accessories to utilize the feature, which is being rolled out to Windows Insider Program participants in the Dev and Beta channels.

Winsage

November 1, 2025

Extending Bluetooth® LE Audio on Windows 11 with shared audio (preview)

Today, the shared audio (preview) feature has been rolled out in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build (26220.7051) for Dev and Beta Channels, allowing users to share audio between two Bluetooth audio devices simultaneously. This feature utilizes Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology and is currently available on select Copilot+ PCs, with plans to expand support to more devices in the future. Users can share audio by connecting two compatible Bluetooth LE Audio accessories to their Windows 11 PC and accessing the “Shared audio (preview)” tile in quick settings. Compatible devices include specific Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models, as well as Samsung Galaxy Book models. Compatible Bluetooth LE Audio accessories include Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds3, Galaxy Buds3 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM6, and recent hearing aids from ReSound and Beltone. To use the feature, users must enroll in the Windows Insider Dev or Beta Channels and ensure their OS and drivers are updated. Feedback from users is encouraged to improve the experience.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows 11 tests Bluetooth audio sharing that connects two headsets at once

Microsoft is enhancing the audio experience for Windows 11 users with a new feature that enables shared audio streaming across multiple wireless devices using the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) audio codec. This feature is currently in preview mode for Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels. Users can connect Bluetooth LE-supported devices to their Windows 11 PC and select the “Shared audio (preview)” option from the quick settings menu. The shared audio feature is available on select Copilot Plus PCs, including the 13.8 and 15-inch Surface Laptops and the 13-inch Surface Pro, with plans for additional devices like the Samsung Galaxy Book5 360 and Galaxy Book5 Pro to support it soon. Compatible devices include Bluetooth LE models such as the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Buds 3, Buds 3 Pro, and Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones.

BetaBeacon

September 6, 2025

Android & Pixel’s Game-Changing Update: AI Writing Tools, Emoji Redesign, Audio Sharing & More

- Enhanced audio sharing capabilities include pairing two LE Bluetooth Audio headphones to a phone, supporting expanded device support. - Androidify bot allows users to create a custom Android bot using a selfie or prompt, using Gemini 2.5 Flash, Imagen, and Veo 3. - Pixel Drop updates feature Material 3 Expressive, Adaptive Audio, Loud Noise Protection, and Google Maps auto-launch.

AppWizard

September 3, 2025

Explore Android’s exciting September update: Music sharing and your own custom bot await

Google has launched LE Audio Auracast, allowing users to connect two LE Audio Bluetooth headphones to a single device for synchronized listening. This feature is available on the Google Pixel 8 series, select Samsung flagship devices from 2023, and some Xiaomi and POCO models. Additionally, Google introduced Androidify, a tool for creating personalized Android bots using AI by uploading a selfie. The revamped Gboard now offers AI-driven texting suggestions, spelling and grammar assistance, and an updated Emoji Kitchen for creating unique stickers. A redesigned Quick Share feature enhances file sharing with a progress indicator. The Pixel 10 smartphone features the Tensor G5 chip and new Gemini AI capabilities, including Camera Coach and Magic Cue.

AppWizard

September 3, 2025

New Androidify App Uses Google’s Best AI Models To Turn Your Selfies Into Cute, Custom Android Bots

Google unveiled Androidify, a platform that allows users to create personalized Android bots from selfies or text prompts using advanced AI models, including the "Nano-Banana" image generator from Gemini. The service captures general features and accessories without replicating users' faces. Androidify uses Gemini 2.5 Flash to validate selfies and employs a tailored version of Imagen 3 for generating custom avatars. Users can also create backgrounds for their bots with Nano-Banana and animate their creations using Veo 3, producing 8-second videos weekly.

AppWizard

August 28, 2025

Spotify launches in-app direct messaging

Spotify has introduced a direct messaging feature called Messages, allowing users to share songs, podcasts, and audiobooks within the app. Users can message individuals they have interacted with on Spotify, including those in shared playlists or family and Duo plan members. The feature is accessible from the Now Playing screen, and users must be at least 16 years old to use it.