Android ‘Fast Pair’ will quickly connect Bluetooth devices !

Pixel wireless earpods

Sync your speakers 🔊 , earphones without even touching your settings.

Android bluetooth devices have now got a new option to quickly sync with smartphones. Today, Google developers announced Fast Pair, a process that quickly discovers using Bluetooth Low Energy and connects over traditional Bluetooth to nearby Bluetooth devices like wireless speakers or earbuds.

Functioning of 'Fast Pair'

It's an obvious competitor to the quick-pairing that Apple introduced last year for its AirPod headphones, but better late than never.

Here's what a Fast Pair flow looks like:

1. Turn on a Fast Pair-enabled device and put it in pairing mode.    


• Android scans for BLE broadcasts in close proximity of the user's phone and discovers a Fast Pair packet (provided Bluetooth and Location is turned on).


• This packet is sent to our servers to get back the device's product image, product name and companion app (if there is one). 


2. The user receives a high priority notification asking them to "Tap to pair" to the device. The notification contains the product name and image.


3. When the user taps on the notification, Android uses classic Bluetooth to establish a connection.


4. A success notification is shown which contains a link to download the companion app (if there is one). 

See also: Google Pixel 2: Full specifications & first impressions

Imagine doing all of this without ever fumbling with Bluetooth settings. Users get a seamless and secure pairing experience and confidence that they're connecting to the right product. Manufacturers get their brand, device name and companion app in front of users.

So long as your smartphone or tablet runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow or above and Google Play services 11.7+, it can use Fast Pair. The process bypasses the need to connect by fiddling with device settings: Simply put a Fast Pair-equipped device in pairing mode and any Android phone or tablet will get a prompt to connect.

So far, only the Google Pixel Buds and Libratone's Q Adapt On-Ear have Fast Pair equipped, and soon it will arrive on Plantronics Voyager 8200. Fast Pair functionality is currently rolling out to Android 6.0+ devices via the Google Play services update.

Source: Android Developer's Blog