Apple 2021 10.2-inch iPad 9th Generation Bluetooth Audio Pause and Resume Not Functioning Correctly

I use my Apple 2021 9th Generation iPad to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, and music in different apps. I use AirPods, two car stereos, and have also paired a generic Bluetooth device to try to resolve this issue. I’ve also contacted Apple Support many times. We have paired and unpaired Bluetooth devices, updated the iPad, done a hard reset, and they even sent me a brand new one with the exact same issue. I’ve searched online for help. I did find a similar question on this site from someone with the same issue and two others adding they also have it, but no one answered the question. I’m trying again and would be grateful for help.

The problem occurs when trying to resume paused media via any Bluetooth listening device. gunjindude’s Profile - Apple Community described the problem well, so I’ve pasted it and added my comments in [brackets]:

I can pair with BT devices without issue. I can also have them play the media without issue, at least at first. The problem comes when I close the lid [or Autolock activates after 5 minutes of not touching the screen] of the 2021 iPad, the play/pause functionality of the BT speakers seems to become very inconsistent (at best) or is reduced to a single function: the first pause. Thereafter the play button on whatever BT speaker I am using stops working. I cannot resume play. This only happens after a few minutes and not during those first few minutes when the play/pause works every time. [My timing is even more limited. I can only resume play if I push it within 10-15 seconds, but anything longer than that, and it takes 5 minutes or longer to resume audio unless I return to my iPad and physically “wake it” by pushing the power or home buttons or opening the screen, which makes the on part of the on/off function of Bluetooth frustrating at best.] If I pause the podcast [or any audio] via the BT speaker and then do something for 5 mins [or more than 15 seconds] when I come back the only way of resuming play is by going to the ipad and opening the cover. This seems to wake the BT connection back up and it automatically resumes the play. What's odd is that it seems to be recording, but when the Play/Pause button is pressed (as indicated by the podcast app when I open the cover) but not acting on it. [I’m not sure recording was the intended word. It does look like it thinks it’s playing even though you’re not hearing anything or losing your true place in the audio. Once you “wake it,” it always continues playing at the correct spot.] Particularly weird is that sometimes Play will resume 10+ mins after I have hit the BT button, completely out of the blue. [This is no exaggeration. I’ve timed it many times, especially while on hold and during calls with Apple Support to see if we really resolved the issue after thinking it was resolved only to have to call back again 5 times before they sent me a new iPad that does the exact same thing. I hit unpause, nothing happens, and can’t get back to the iPad yet, so I just keep the AirPod in and 5, 10, or more minutes later, audio finally unpauses/resumes at the correct spot.] Also odd is that this only happens with the 2021 ipad and not previous ones. [Agreed! My devices all worked perfectly with my former iPad.] This problem exists for all 3 BT speakers/headphones I have paired with the 2021 ipad. [4 for me.]

Help resolving this issue would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks!