Audfly and Lenovo Introduce Advanced Directional Sound Integration at CES 2025

Audfly, a company exploring directed audio technologies, announce the integration of its groundbreaking Focusound Screen technology in Lenovo’s latest ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 6 All-in-One (AIO) desktop. Unveiled at CES 2025, this innovative solution redefines workplace audio by providing sound privacy and enhanced clarity, all while delivering a personalized listening experience. At CES 2025, the Chinese company demonstrated multiple other directional audio solutions.

Jabra unveiled an interesting new Bluetooth headset designed specifically for shift workers in retail environments. The Jabra Perform 75 features instant, hands-free access to critical information through Push-to-Talk (PTT) capabilities via a dedicated button on the headset, and integrates with existing frontline worker applications and future AI-driven, voice-led applications. The headset also features a 99% noise-cancelling microphone for clear communication and a hot-swappable battery for zero down time and continuous operation.

Airoha Technology announced the launch of a new flagship wireless audio chip with integrated AI processing. The AB1595 chip integrates essential functions that currently require multiple chips into one single system-on-chip (SoC). The announcement follows a recent press conference where the MediaTek subsidiary confirmed its intention to lead the market as a Bluetooth audio supplier and to outgrow the industry with AI-powered solutions in 2025.

AudioSourceRE, the company that has demonstrated what is possible in high-quality AI-powered audio separation technology, has announced a new level of processing accuracy and quality of results with the launch of DeMIX Pro v6. The standalone software is AudioSourceRE's main product for studio work using AI algorithms to isolate vocals and any other instruments from existing mixes. The updated version now improves quality of results, allowing playback while it is still processing with GPU and Apple Silicon hardware acceleration.

Following a few intense days in the extremely warm and dry environment in Berlin, attending IFA 2024 - the Big CE Supermarket as I called it in my 2015 report - it felt great to move on to Amsterdam and attend the vibrant International Broadcasting Convention (IBC). Great, if it wasn't for the sudden change in weather with unexpected rain and a sudden drastic drop in temperature. IBC 2024 was a vibrant show with historical announcements from Sennheiser and Genelec, but our report also highlights the impressive expansion of Dante audio networking in this important industry segment. And many other reasons why everyone was happy to be at IBC.

Phonak, a Sonova brand, launched a new family of hearing aids based on its latest Infinio platform. Part of the Infinio family with several Bluetooth-enabled models that still don't support LE Audio, is the Audéo Sphere Infinio, said to be the world's first hearing aid with a dedicated real-time AI chip for speech-from-noise separation. Powered by a new Phonak ERA processor, and a dedicated NPU, the new Audéo Sphere Infinio hearing-aids are able to enhance speech understanding from any direction.

Owl Labs was the first company to design and bring to market an AI-powered, 360-degree camera and smart speaker, all-in-one tabletop conferencing solution. Gradually, it improved the concept, upgraded the software, and expanded the Owl ecosystem. Now, it launched its fourth generation product, the Meeting Owl 4+ featuring an improved speaker, microphone and (finally) with a 4K Ultra HD camera and video output. This is the Owl that Owl Labs wanted to do from the onset.

Gaudio Lab continues to expand its AI audio technology efforts in multiple fronts with very interesting results. The latest AI audio separation technology developments from the company have now been condensed in the form of a new app called "Just Voice Recorder." This is a cutting-edge mobile recording application powered by AI noise cancellation technology that is extremely useful to record interviews, dictation and recording on the field. It simply makes voice recordings clean and clear using voice separation and enhancement.

L-Acoustics announced important updates to L-ISA, its immersive production platform for the live sound and music creation markets. The advancements in L-ISA 3.2 software unlock enhanced creative possibilities for spatial audio mixing and new tools for event creators. Powerful new enhancements include 16 free outputs in L-ISA Studio, integration of Mixhalo's AI-powered translation services with L-ISA Processor II subscription model, and more.

Mads Rydahl, Siri’s first Head of Product and Design, has funneled his extensive knowledge of AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) into a new company. Proemial is a startup, co-founded by serial entrepreneur Geet Khosla and tech veteran Brian Pedersen, with a mission to tackle the most significant problem of accessing credible scientific research and knowledge through search engines and Artificial Intelligence-based tools.