This document discusses solving the problem of high audio latency on Android devices which prevents certain audio apps from working well. It introduces Superpowered Media Server, a new software solution that significantly reduces audio latency on Android phones tested. Benchmark results show round-trip audio latency reduced from 15-32ms down to 8-24ms on Nexus and Samsung devices without any hardware changes. The solution works across Android versions and could enable new audio and VR apps to thrive on the Android platform.

1. Android 10ms Problem?
Solved.
June 2016
Overview, Results & Demo

2. Many types of mobile apps that
are dependent on low latency
audio functionality are non-
existent on Android.
Meanwhile on iOS, these same
apps generate $$$ and thrive.

3. Definition of round-trip low
latency is:
+ Audio Input (time)
+ Audio Processing (time)
+ Audio Output (time)
= 10 milliseconds or less
iOS has been low latency since
Day 1.

4. Apps suffering from lack of low
latency audio include games,
synthesizers, DAWs, interactive
audio-, pro audio-, virtual
instrument apps, and the
inevitable gold rush of virtual
reality apps.

5. No low latency audio support in
Android?
Effectively guarantees that there
will be no adoption of VR on
Android.

6. Without low latency audio
support, developers cannot meet
demand, Android app
marketplaces miss out downloads,
OEM devices less valuable and
consumers frustrated.
Entire Android ecosystem loses.

7. Developers.
Android App Stores.
OEMs.
Consumers.
Billions left on the table.

8. Not trivial technical problem.
Multiple non-obvious technical
hurdles and coordination issues
within Android ecosystem. Not to
mention, thankless work fixing a
problem most don’t know even
exists.
Yet big problem, big upside.

9. Android Latency Benchmarks
as of June 2016
Data sources:
http://superpowered.com/latency (Superpowered team)
https://source.android.com/devices/audio/latency_measurements.html
(Google Pro Audio team)
Model Android Version
Buffer Size
(frames)
Round-trip
latency (ms)
Nexus 9 6.0.0 (MRA58K) 128 15
Nexus 6P 6.0.0 (MDA89D) 192 18

10. Industry Misconceptions of
Android 10ms Problem
“It’s a hardware problem.”
“It’s Linux audio.”
“It’s the ALSA drivers.”
In our opinion: They’re all fine.

11. Superpowered. Who are we?
We squeeze audio latency out of
app user-space with +150m app-
installs and thousands of apps
using Superpowered SDK.
Now, we’re squeezing audio latency
out of Android service space with
Superpowered Media Server.

12. Superpowered Media Server +
Nexus 6P Latency Benchmarks
Audio Path
Huawei Nexus 6P
Round-Trip Audio
Latency
(Android 6.0.1)
Superpowered
Huawei Nexus 6P
Round-Trip Audio
Latency
Inbuilt speaker to
inbuilt mic
32 ms 24 ms
Audio output
plugged into
headphone jack
and inbuilt
microphone.
15 ms 9 ms
Audio loopback 15 ms 9 ms

13. Superpowered Media Server +
Nexus 9 Latency Benchmarks
Audio Path
HTC Nexus 9
Round-Trip Audio
Latency
(Android 6.0.1)
Superpowered
HTC Nexus 9
Round-Trip Audio
Latency
(Android 6.0.1)
Inbuilt speaker to
inbuilt mic
25 ms 19 ms
Audio output
plugged into
headphone jack
and inbuilt
microphone.
14 ms 8 ms
Audio loopback 14 ms 8 ms

14. Superpowered SAPA*
Apps Supported? Thousands Less than 100
Licensing options? Per licensee
SAPA is based on
JACK (GPL
license)
Round-trip latency?
Better on non-
Galaxy devices
No change on
non-Galaxy
devices
Better latency across Android landscape?
Every Android
device
Only on Galaxy
Solves fundamental Android architecture
problem?
Yes No
Neutral solution for all stakeholders? Yes ?
*Samsung Professional Audio SDK

15. Additional Benefits of
Superpowered Media Server
No hardware modifications
needed.
No HAL modifications needed.
Compatible with Android Lollilop
and Marshmallow.

16. Questions and Licensing
To request demo files, please email:
mediaserver@superpowered.com
Video demo and more info at:
bit.ly/AndroidMediaServer
bit.ly/Video-Demo-Android