# Google and Samsung Partner to Unveil Open-Source Spatial Audio Format: Eclipsa Audio
In a revolutionary effort to transform our auditory experiences, Google and Samsung have come together to create an open-source spatial audio format known as **Eclipsa Audio**. This cutting-edge format is designed to provide rich, immersive audio experiences for both creators and listeners, indicating a notable advancement in audio technology.
## **What is Eclipsa Audio?**
Eclipsa Audio is an innovative spatial audio format intended to offer a more engaging and vibrant listening experience. Often referred to as “3D sound,” spatial audio creates the sensation that sound originates from various directions and distances, paralleling our real-world sound perception. This technology has surged in prominence recently, especially within gaming, virtual reality, and streaming services.
The framework underlying Eclipsa Audio is the **Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF)**, an open-source initiative developed by the **Alliance of Open Media (AOM)**. By utilizing IAMF, Eclipsa Audio guarantees compatibility with an extensive array of tools and workflows, simplifying the process for creators to generate spatial audio content. The format is crafted to be flexible and accessible, catering to different devices and platforms.
## **Why Eclipsa Audio is Important**
The launch of Eclipsa Audio signifies a profound transformation in the audio domain. Here are several crucial aspects that highlight why the format is a significant innovation:
1. **Open-Source Availability**: Unlike closed proprietary formats, Eclipsa Audio is open-source, granting developers and creators unrestricted access to utilize the technology. This opens up opportunities for a wider audience to experience spatial audio.
2. **Cross-Device Compatibility**: Eclipsa Audio is engineered to operate smoothly across a variety of devices, including Android phones, Samsung televisions, soundbars, and Google Chrome browsers. This consistency ensures a uniform audio experience across all platforms.
3. **Empowering Creators**: By offering resources and plugins, such as the forthcoming Eclipsa Audio plugin for Avid Pro Tools, the format equips creators with the tools needed to effortlessly produce high-quality spatial audio content. This innovation unveils new avenues for music, film, gaming, and other creative fields.
4. **Enhanced Listening Experience for Consumers**: For end-users, Eclipsa Audio enhances everyday audio interactions. Whether enjoying a YouTube video, streaming films, or engaging in gaming, the format provides an immersive sound experience that feels realistic and captivating.
## **Noteworthy Features and Uses**
### **1. Integration with YouTube and Chrome**
Beginning this year, content creators will have the ability to upload videos in the Eclipsa Audio format on YouTube, allowing viewers to access spatial audio directly within their browsers. Google is also focusing on incorporating native Eclipsa Audio playback support in Chrome to ensure a smooth user experience.
### **2. Samsung’s TV and Soundbar Range**
Samsung intends to integrate Eclipsa Audio within its 2025 television lineup, which includes the **Crystal UHD series** and high-end **Neo QLED 8K models**. This integration allows users to enjoy spatial audio without additional hardware, broadening accessibility for mainstream consumers.
### **3. Support for Android Devices**
Support for Eclipsa Audio will soon be available on Android devices through an upcoming release of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), enabling smartphones and tablets operating on Android to provide native spatial audio experiences.
### **4. Certification Initiative**
To maintain quality and uniformity, Google and Samsung will introduce a certification and brand licensing initiative in 2025. This program will assure manufacturers and consumers that devices supporting Eclipsa Audio adhere to rigorous standards.
### **5. Creator Tools**
A free Eclipsa Audio plugin for Avid Pro Tools will be launched later this spring. This tool will streamline the creation of spatial audio files, making it more accessible to musicians, sound designers, and other industry professionals.
## **The Future of Spatial Audio**
The partnership between Google and Samsung heralds a fresh chapter for spatial audio technologies. By establishing Eclipsa Audio as an open-source and widely compatible format, both companies are setting the stage for a future where immersive audio experiences are standard across devices and platforms.
This collaborative effort underscores the increasing significance of audio in our digital experiences. As virtual reality, augmented reality, and streaming technologies evolve, the need for superior, immersive sound will continue to grow. Eclipsa Audio is well-positioned to fulfill this vital demand, offering a flexible and accessible answer for both creators and users.
## **Conclusion**
Eclipsa Audio represents more than just a new audio format—it’s a crucial step toward normalizing spatial audio as an everyday experience. By uniting the expertise of Google and Samsung, this open-source venture has the potential to redefine our engagement with sound in our daily activities. Whether you’re a creator striving to expand the horizons of audio
