9/8/25, 12:21 PM Google’s Fast Pair feature starts arriving on non-Pixel Android phones | TechCrunch
`
`Latest Security
`Startups Al
`
`Venture Apps
`
`Apple Disrupt 2025
`Events
`
`Podcasts
`
`Newsletters
`
`Advertisement
`
`Advertisement
`
`SCT Exhibit 2019
`
`https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/31/googles-fast-pair-feature-starts-arriving-on-non-pixel-android-phones/ 1/6
`
`IPR2026-00098
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9/8/25, 12:21 PM Google’s Fast Pair feature starts arriving on non-Pixel Android phones | TechCrunch
`
`In the avalanche of news that was Google’s Pixel 2 event last month, the
`company kind of glossed over the Fast Pair feature. Understandably so —
`it had a lot to get through at the event. And besides, it was far from the
`coolest thing about the company’s new Pixel Buds headphones (that title
`goes to the Babelfish-esque real-time translation feature).
`
`The feature is similar to what Apple offers up with its W2 chip, offering
`instant, hassle-free Bluetooth pairing with a couple of taps. Of course,
`Fast Pair has one key advantage: much greater compatibility. Launched as
`a Google Pixel exclusive, the feature is starting to roll out to all Android
`devices running Google Play services 11.7 and greater (requiring Android
`6.0 and up, mind).
`
`Advertisement
`
`SCT Exhibit 2019
`IPR2026-00098
`
`https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/31/googles-fast-pair-feature-starts-arriving-on-non-pixel-android-phones/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9/8/25, 12:21 PM Google’s Fast Pair feature starts arriving on non-Pixel Android phones | TechCrunch
`
`Advertisement
`
`Apple’s version was a centerpiece of Apple’s AirPods (along with
`subsequent Beats releases), and Google’s take will certainly benefit from
`wider availability. In addition to working across Android manufacturers,
`Fast Pair is also compatible with bluetooth headphones from a variety of
`different companies. Pixel Buds and Libratone’s solid Q Adapt were the
`first to be announced, and Google is adding the Plantronics Voyager 8200
`headset to the list soon.
`
`The selection is still pretty limited, with Google working with specific early
`partners to help develop Fast Pair . Though, along with opening it up to a
`lot more handsets, the company is putting out the call to “Bluetooth
`accessory” makers in its public forum — a move that indicates the
`company’s plans to bring Fast Pair to a lot more than just headphones and
`headsets.
`
`The Pixel Buds were created internally to brace the consumer base for the
`company’s decision to drop the headphone jack from its new handsets.
`Opening Fast Pairing up to a much larger ecosystem of compatible
`devices should cushion the blow even more — and could open more
`handset manufacturers up to the possibility of dropping the jack
`themselves.
`
`Topics: Android fastpair Googl Hardware pixel buds
`
`Advertisement
`
`SCT Exhibit 2019
`
`https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/31/googles-fast-pair-feature-starts-arriving-on-non-pixel-android-phones/ 3/6
`
`IPR2026-00098
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9/8/25, 12:21 PM Google’s Fast Pair feature starts arriving on non-Pixel Android phones | TechCrunch
`
`it X in M @
`
`Brian Heater
`
`Brian Heater was the Hardware Editor at TechCrunch until early 2025. He has worked for a number
`of leading tech publications, including Engadget, PCMag, Laptop, and Tech Times, where he...
`
`ViewBio >
`
`Advertisement
`
`i DISRUPT
`
`October 27-29, 2025 San Francisco
`Founders: land your investor and sharpen
`your pitch. Investors: discover your next
`breakout startup. Innovators: claim a
`front-row seat to the future. Join 10,000+
`tech leaders at the epicenter of
`
`innovation. Register now and save up to
`$668.
`
`Regular Bird rates end September 26
`
`(pramrten )
`
`Advertisement
`
`SCT Exhibit 2019
`IPR2026-00098
`
`https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/31/googles-fast-pair-feature-starts-arriving-on-non-pixel-android-phones/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9/8/25, 12:21 PM
`
`T
`
`TechCrunch
`
`Musk’s $1T pay package is full of
`watered-down versions of his own
`broken promises
`
`Scale Al’s former CTO launches Al
`agent that could solve big data’s
`biggest problem
`
`OpenAl announces Al-powered
`hiring platform to take on LinkedIn
`
`Google brings Material 3
`Expressive to Pixel 6 and newer
`devices, along with other features
`
`Tesla’s 4th ‘Master Plan’ reads like
`LLM-generated nonsense
`
`BMW, | am so breaking up with you
`
`US and Indian VCs just formed a
`$1B+ alliance to fund India’s deep
`tech startups
`
`Loading the next article
`
`Advertisement
`
`https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/31/googles-fast-pair-feature-starts-arriving-on-non-pixel-android-phones/
`
`Google’s Fast Pair feature starts arriving on non-Pixel Android phones | TechCrunch
`
`SCT Exhibit 2019
`IPR2026-00098
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9/8/25, 12:21 PM Google’s Fast Pair feature starts arriving on non-Pixel Android phones | TechCrunch
`
`Advertisement
`
`SCT Exhibit 2019
`IPR2026-00098
`
`https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/31/googles-fast-pair-feature-starts-arriving-on-non-pixel-android-phones/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`