Follow the Leader, Leader, Leader... Spatial Audio? What Will They Come Up With Next?

As it was announced during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference back in June 2020, among all the spectacular updates to all the company's operating systems (iOS 14, iPadOS 14, watchOS 7, and tvOS 14), Apple discussed a new firmware update that would add spatial audio support for the company's AirPods Pro. Well, a few days ago, Apple did release the promised firmware update and suddenly, the spatial audio support in the AirPods Pro was a reality. And what an update! As everyone realized soon enough, the results are simply spectacular and very noticeable while watching movies with good soundtracks.

Demand for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) products reflect the growing demand for multi-function, health care, and connected wearable solutions, all requiring smaller and longer battery life devices. Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has recently introduced the AKM AK4336ECB ultra low power audio codec, a 4-channel ADC and one channel DAC that supports active noise cancelling designs, complementing its complete portfolio of audio systems and sensors for TWS development.

Sony Electronics announced the WF-SP800N sport headphones, its newest truly wireless noise canceling model. Designed for an active lifestyle, the WF-SP800N allows users to run, workout at the gym, and enjoy improved music experiences with a secure fit, IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, and long battery life. Based on the same Bluetooth chip from the successful WF-1000XM3, the new WF-SP800N model adds interesting audio processing and personalization feature, with support for 360 Reality Audio.

The hearables market is exploding, growing at a CAGR of 37.6%. And, like nearly all wireless devices, hearables need low-latency motion sensors in order to not only perform their critical functions but also enable a variety of enhanced features that improve the user experience. This article takes a look at five key features that a sensor must have in order to deliver enhanced functionality such as activity tracking.

Ling Technology, the Chinese company behind the AI Owl Luka, which can read any picture books to children, and the Jibo social robot, is now announcing Auri, a brand new smart home light and smart speaker which aims to promote wellness with its intelligent lighting and ambient sounds to help lift moods and bring calmness into homes. But Auri is also a platform that Ling intends to expand with various accessories, like the Auri oil diffuser and the Auri motion sensor. The project is now being promoted with a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.

At the Barcelona, 2018 Mobile World Congress, Sony Mobile announced its Xperia Ear Duo truly wireless concept, which should be reaching the market in Spring 2018. According to Sony, the Xperia Ear Duo was built to reimagine the wireless headset with a bold new Spatial Acoustic Conductor open-ear design, featuring notifications and environmental awareness, with Google Assistant or Siri support. A similar design is available on the Open-ear Stereo Headset STH40D wired model.

Bowers & Wilkins, the British speaker brand known for its high-performance audio products, announced the launch of the PX headphone, the company's first adaptive noise cancelling wireless headphones. Combining sound quality, sophisticated design, and aptX HD Bluetooth streaming, with responsive interaction, the new PX responds intelligently to the wearer's behavior – pausing audio when it senses the headphones have been lifted from the ear.

French company 3D Sound Labs announced that its 3D smart audio technology is now available for all headphones thanks to the new 3D Sound One Module. 3D Sound Labs is a pioneer startup in 3D sound and its new 3D Sound One Module is the first accessory that can be simply fixed to any headphone to allow immersive 3D audio experiences. The connected module connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone running the iOPS 3D Sound Labs app or a PC with the Windows 3D Sound Labs driver.