Bose is giving its QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) a surprisingly substantial upgrade more than a year after launch. A new firmware update adds Bluetooth LE Audio, spatial audio with head tracking, and better USB-C audio support – although iPhone owners miss out on one of the biggest additions.

Firmware version 10.12.12 introduces four new features, with Bluetooth LE Audio arguably the most important. The newer Bluetooth standard is designed to be more efficient than traditional Bluetooth and uses the LC3 codec, which promises improved audio quality compared with the standard SBC codec.

That extra efficiency could potentially help with battery life as well, although Bose doesn’t mention any battery improvements in its release notes, so don’t expect a dramatic boost.

Bluetooth LE Audio also opens the door to Auracast. The technology allows a compatible device to broadcast audio to multiple sets of headphones simultaneously. That could eventually let you connect your headphones to public broadcasts, such as a TV in an airport lounge, without having to pair directly with the source.

There’s one fairly big catch: Apple devices don’t currently support Bluetooth LE Audio, meaning this particular upgrade is primarily useful to Android and Windows users.
That’s not the only new feature arriving with the update. Bose is also adding 5.1 spatial audio with head tracking when the headphones are connected to compatible Android devices. The feature adjusts the perceived position of audio as you move your head, creating a more immersive listening experience.

USB-C connectivity is getting some attention too. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) can now deliver higher-quality gaming and voice audio over a wired USB-C connection when used with a compatible PC or mobile device. Bose has also improved USB compatibility with web conferencing apps, which should make the headphones more useful for calls and meetings.

Bose isn’t alone in embracing Bluetooth LE Audio. Sony already supports the technology on headphones including the WH-1000XM6, while Sennheiser plans to bring it to the Momentum True Wireless 5 through a future firmware update.

Still, it’s a meaningful upgrade for headphones that have already been on the market for more than a year. Wireless headphones increasingly aren’t finished products on launch day, and Bose’s latest update shows how manufacturers can add significant capabilities long after customers have bought them.

Firmware 10.12.12 should download automatically through the Bose app once it’s available. Bose says the headphones need to remain connected to your device while the update transfers, a process that can take up to 40 minutes. Installation itself can then take another 15 minutes.