FORWARD-LOOKING: Numerous wireless headphone models use head tracking for more immersive spatial audio. One modder has exploited this feature, along with Sony's preference for Android's head-tracking protocol, to provide an accessible alternative to traditional PC game head-tracking setups. While the solution does not support Apple's AirPods, the developer hopes to change that.
Head tracking, often used to enhance awareness in driving and flying games, traditionally requires extra IR tracking hardware or VR headsets. However, a new free app enables the feature for owners of Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones and several similar models.
Dubbed Sony Head Tracker, the tool sends live yaw, pitch, roll, orientation, quaternion, and gyroscope data from the Android head tracker HID protocol to Opentrack, enabling head tracking in hundreds of PC games, mostly racing games and flight simulators. The app's creator, Nicholas Slattery, demonstrated the process in a brief clip while playing Microsoft Flight Simulator and wearing a pair of WH-1000XM5s.
To get started, download the latest version from Sony Head Tracker's GitHub repository. Then pair a set of headphones or earbuds with Windows 11 by navigating to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and clicking "Add device" while the headphones are in pairing mode.
