Sony’s best headphones and earbuds with ANC will get Google’s Find My Device feature

Sony has released new firmware updates for its WF-1000XM5 premium wireless earbuds and WH-1000XM5 headphones that add support for new features introduced with the company’s LinkBuds speaker, as well as compatibility with the Google Find My Device network, potentially making them easier to locate. if you go missing away from home.

A few days ago, Sony announced a refreshed lineup of LinkBuds in-ear headphones and introduced a wireless speaker. The LinkBuds speaker features a new auto-switch feature that allows it to take over playback from the wireless headphones when users stop using them. Currently, only five pairs of Sony wireless headphones are compatible with the automatic switching feature, including the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5, after installing the new firmware.

The updates, which also require the new Sony Sound Connect app that rolled out this week, will potentially make it easier to locate any device using the Google Find My Device network. However, Sony’s update notes that the feature is only available “during a dedicated Classic Audio connection.” Sony doesn’t provide details, but this could mean that only the last known location of the headphones will be available if they are not turned on or actively connected to an Android device, or Find My Device is not available when using other Bluetooth connection modes, such as as low level of secrecy.

The update to version 2.3.1 for the WH-1000XM5 headphones also includes improved security features, while the update to version 4.0.2 for the WF-1000XM5 headphones adds support for “Google Fast Pair via Priority LE Audio Connection”, streamlining the process of pairing them to a device running Android.