It is reported that Google Fast Pair is getting an update for its user interface, giving a very different view of the original headphone configuration screen from the current implementation. The modern interface creates a larger pop-up screen, with an image of the headset to be fixed and a large, simpler button to connect using the protocol. This is a change from the previous UI, which showed a much smaller pop-up at the top of the screen, with images and text also appearing much smaller as a result.
The American company introduced Fast Pair in 2017, and it is now backed by a number of wireless headphones in addition to Google’s own Pixel audio products. The new user interface has been noticed and reported by 9to5Google, and seems to work when using Google Pixel Buds. This includes a large pop-up with the image and name of the headset, with a clear ‘link’ option below. The interface is now more like the iOS pairing protocol for Apple AirPods headphones.
We tried it out with the Google Pixel 3XL (Review) and the OnePlus Buds Z which showcased the older protocol. This shows that the new interface has not yet been rolled out to all users and headets, and may be limited to the Pixel series for now, although it may be rolled out more widely in the coming weeks.
Google Fast Pair is supported by several wireless headphones from various manufacturers, and connects the headset to a Google account. In addition to easing the pairing process for the first time by bypassing the Bluetooth settings, this allows the headset to be repaired quickly and easily on other devices connected to the same account Google. The subsequent connection process will also display details such as battery stats for the headphones, earphones, any charge issue, in case of real headphones.
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