HEAD acoustics ABLE Automatically Assesses Perceived Listening Effort of Speech
Environmental noise impairs the intelligibility of received speech signals in headphones, mobile phones, in-vehicle hands-free terminals and in-car communication systems. In order to evaluate the influence of background noise on speech signals automatically and reproducibly, HEAD acoustics has developed “ABLE” (Assessment of Binaural Listening Effort), a method to predict perceived listening effort, available as a new option for the measuring and analysis software ACQUA.
NTi Audio NetBox Expands Uninterrupted Storage of Data for more than Five Years
NTi Audio has been continuously investing in remote monitoring tools, allowing applications like noise control and long-term sound measurements. Using the XL2 Sound Level Meter and NTi's NoiseScout 24/7 noise monitoring solution, remote monitoring becomes practical for both short term noise assessments and long term monitoring applications. For really long periods of monitoring, reports can even be massively expanded using the company's NetBox, a device that connects the XL2 to the Internet.
Active Audio Launches Ray-On Powered Over Ethernet Loudspeaker Column Arrays
French loudspeaker manufacturer Active Audio debuted its new Ray-On Powered over Ethernet (PoE) loudspeaker column arrays at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2020 in Amsterdam. In another example of how systems integrators are clearly adopting AoIP solutions, the new Ray-On loudspeaker series has been designed to bring Active Audio’s high-quality sound into a new generation of smart buildings where networking is key. An elegant, effective and easy-to-integrate solution for corporate buildings, hotels, and retail.
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Key Series Premium T18NC True Wireless Active Noise Canceling Earbuds
Key Series, an audio brand from Aukey, a large manufacturer from China, released the true wireless T18NC earbuds, a new Bluetooth 5 product, combining a stunning design with good quality materials and specifications, including active noise cancelling. According to Key Series, the T18NC provides a premium, quality experience as anyone would expect from a high-end quality earbud manufacturer, at a very affordable price.
Lithe Audio Introduces Modular Ceiling Speaker Including WiSA For Wireless Sound
At ISE 2020, visitors could find multiple companies looking ahead and offering Audio-over-IP networking solutions, fast becoming the norm among system integrators. Other companies, like UK-based Lithe Audio have installation solutions that offer the complete scope of connectivity options for residential or commercial audio, combining Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast Audio and AirPlay2. At ISE 2020, Lithe Audio surprised also by showing a WiSA ceiling speaker that even offers an optional PoE module.
SoundHound Partners With Wcities to Bring Extensive Location and Event Data to Houndify’s Voice AI Platform
SoundHound, the voice-enabled AI and conversational intelligence technology company, announced a partnership with Wcities, a travel and entertainment content publisher specializing in city guides and event aggregators, to bring location-based events data to the Houndify voice AI platform. This new collaboration will provide developers using Houndify with information on more than 3 million events worldwide to include in voice-enabled apps and services via Wcities’ eventseeker APIs.
Renesas Electronics and Panthronics Announce Collaboration to Combine Wireless Charging and NFC
Renesas Electronics, a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, and Panthronics AG, a fabless semiconductor company from Austria, specializing in high performance wireless products, jointly announced they are collaborating to bring best-in-class solutions combining Renesas wireless charging technology and Panthronics NFC technology. Combining Qi wireless chargers with NFC will create superior solutions for consumer and industrial applications.
Bluesound Professional Commercial Audio Solutions Powered by BluOS Steal the Show at ISE 2020
At ISE 2020, Lenbrook International offered an extensive showcase of audio solutions for residential applications, now extended significantly also to commercial audio installation thanks to the introduction of a comprehensive range of Bluesound Professional controllers, streamers, amplifiers, and speakers, all leveraging the powerful BluOS streaming software platform. At the Amsterdam show, Bluesound Professional announced the integration with multiple commercially-licensed music streaming services.
New Record for Smart Speakers As Global Sales Reached 146.9 Million in 2019
The global smart speaker market reached a new high in 2019 with sales of 146.9 million units, an increase of 70% on 2018, according to new research from Strategy Analytics. Amazon remained the leading brand with a share of 26.2%, down from 33.7% 2018. Google retained second place with a 20.3% share, also down from 25.9% the previous year. Chinese vendors Baidu, Alibaba and Xiaomi all increased their shares, while Apple remained in sixth place with 4.7%.
Biamp Adds Wireless USB and Content Sharing to Meeting Solutions Portfolio With Purchase of HRT
During ISE 2020, Biamp announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire another company with a product portfolio that expands significantly its offering for meeting rooms and collaboration applications. This time it was Huddle Room Technology (HRT), a company based in Modena, Italy, which adds an innovative family of Huddle Hub wireless USB and content sharing products to its extensive range of meeting room solutions.