Home News FlooGoo firmware update: dual streaming at 24khz and 48khz

FlooGoo firmware update: dual streaming at 24khz and 48khz

Update that will be a significant step forward for Auracasting, especially in public venues

Phil Creighton10 February 20262 Mins read194

The FlooGoo FMA120 Auracast dongle next to a USB A to USB C converter

The Flairmesh FlooGoo FMA120 can be paired up with a USB A to C converter to make it work in modern laptops and phones Picture: Phil Creighton

Some exciting news from FlairMesh about its FlooGoo Auracast dongles.

We have previously blogged about cheap gadgets from the likes of Temu and AliExpress broadcasting Bluetooth LE Audio in 48khz, rather than the 24khz that hearing aid users need.

This is because hearing aids require low power, so their small batteries don’t drain quickly. Many now use rechargeable batteries that can last for a couple of days without being topped up, but streaming audio can place additional power demands.

To be an assistive listening solution, Auracast devices must transmit at 24kHz.

Until now, the devices we have tested have been one frequency or the other, and you have to flash devices (usually a button press) to set them at the desired broadcast level.

No more!

The FlooGoo FMA121 Auracaster is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand

FlairMesh has announced a firmware update that will be a significant step forward for Auracasting, especially in public venues. However, it also has a use in the home: a hearing aid wearer and a headphone wearer can both watch the same television programme or film without worrying about whether their devices are set to 24kHz. The headphones can be 48kHz, and the hearing aids 24kHz, with the same sound streamed to both devices.

Because Auracast requires a level of ‘induction training’ when first used, this is one barrier that can be removed.

The new firmware is version 1.1.5.9, underscoring how early we are in the Auracast journey.

A FlairMesh spokesperson said: “This enables simultaneous broadcasting in standard quality (for hearing aids) and high quality (for headphones, earbuds, and speakers that support a 48 kHz sample rate).

“This addresses a common concern among public venue operators, allowing them to support different user groups with a single device.”

The FlooGoo device requires a firmware update, and the FlooCast app must be updated as well.

The good news doesn’t stop there: FlairMesh has added a volume control option that lets the broadcast volume match the system volume. This should address a problem we have when a FlooGoo is used as a receiver on a PC: it overrides the device’s volume and can be unbearably loud.

We have carried out a firmware update on our FlooGoo FMA121, and can confirm that this works.

Look out for our review of the FlooGoo FMA121, coming soon.

Amazon link to the FMA120 (Affiliate link)

Enjoy a weekly round-up of the latest Auracast news and views – direct to your inbox, and all free! You may be asked to complete a puzzle, and will be sent an email asking you to confirm your subscription, and you can unsubscribe at any time.