Apple iPhone 7 Kickstarts the Jackless Age for the Audio Industry
There were hardly any surprises at the Apple scheduled event in San Francisco. Just a sequential confirmation of all the rumors that had already been circulating for a while. This doesn’t mean that Apple didn’t deliver on the expected performance, design and the highest engineering level in all the new products announced, from the Apple Watch Series 2, to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, all the way to a full range of audio accessories from Apple and Beats, including the new wireless Airpods and the fact that we now have officially entered the “jackless age”.
Media Networking Alliance AES67 Live Demonstrations at IBC 2016
With the broadcast and digital production communities focused on reaching an agreement on a new IP standard for video, the audio equation is well advanced, even if dependent upon an interoperability standard to connect different protocols, such as Dante, RAVENNA, Livewire and others. During the 2016 International Broadcasting Convention, the Media Networking Alliance live demos will serve to show how AES67 is the neutral ground upon which dozens of live demos depend upon.
Harman Kardon Omni+ Expands Wireless Hi-Res Audio for Whole Home Applications
Among the many announcements from Harman International during IFA 2016, the new Harman Kardon Omni+ is certainly one of the most promising products. This next generation of Wi-Fi HD home audio systems from Harman, combines improved speakers with advanced streaming capabilities, from single speaker to multi-room and whole-home audio configurations. The highlight is the support for high-resolution wireless streaming using technology from Blackfire Research.
Libre Wireless Technologies Now Offers Multi-Room Audio with High Resolution Audio Streaming to Multiple Devices
Embedded WiFi and wireless solutions provider, Libre Wireless announced their popular LibreSync WiFi media streaming platform including their advanced “Dynamic Direct Multinode Streaming” technology (DDMS) now enables full high resolution uncompressed audio streaming to multiple devices. The DDMS technology is unique in that it can stream this high bandwidth stereo 24 bit, 192 kHz lossless high resolution audio to up to ten highly synchronized devices throughout the home.
Voice Heralds Next Generation Features in Wireless Speakers and Smart Home Applications
While IFA 2016 was in full swing in Berlin, Germany, technology market research specialists Futuresource Consulting highlighted the importance that voice will play in next generation CE products. Following earlier announcements from Amazon, Google and Harman, the Berlin consumer electronics show was rich in product previews and demonstrations about the future of personal assistants and voice recognition applications.
Bragi Introduces New Wireless Earbuds Targeting Headphone-Jack Free iPhone 7
German company Bragi anticipated the announcement of Apple’s headphone-jack free iPhone 7 with an announcement of its own. While some audio companies are targeting Lightning connectivity and the benefits of direct digital connection, Bragi decided to make the best use of its technology already developed for The Dash true wireless earbuds to create a new simpler model - The Headphone - focusing on compatibility with any Bluetooth device… including the iPhone.
StreamUnlimited Debuts Stream805 and Stream810 Development Modules at IFA Global Markets and CEDIA 2016
StreamUnlimited announced its new Stream805 module, developed in collaboration with Broadcom and Wistron, combining StreamSDK software and Google Cast to create faster turnaround time for audio manufacturers. StreamUnlimited also introduced the new Stream810 module, developed in collaboration with NXP Semiconductors as a high-end streaming device for flagship audio products, including low power portable units. This module is designed to meet THX performance standards.
Libratone Introduces Q Adapt Lightning Powered In-Ear and Wireless On-Ear Headphones
Danish audio design brand Libratone presented another great example of how audio companies are responding to the opportunities created by the iPhone 7 launch and the replacement of the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. Libratone launched its new Q Adapt series of In-Ear earbuds using Apple’s Lightning connector in combination with active noise-cancellation, powered directly by the phone. The company also introduced the new Q Adapt Bluetooth headphone series featuring adjustable active noise cancellation.
DTS Play-Fi Wireless Audio Ecosystem Expands with Pioneer And Onkyo and Support for Wireless Surround
Wireless audio technologies for whole-home and home theater applications are reaching a turning point with major industry players announcing key partnerships and key brand wins. Pioneer and Onkyo are the latest names to confirm an agreement to extend DTS Play-Fi technology across product lines worldwide. DTS also announced that its Play-Fi ecosystem will now support wireless surround functionality and integration with European music service Qobuz.
Audeze Announces iSINE Series In-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones
Audeze launched its first in-ear headphones with planar magnetic technology, leveraging all the technology of its LCD series, including patented Fluxor magnets and Fazor waveguides. The new iSINE Series models range in price from only $399 to $599, including Audeze’s Lightning cable. For the new in-ear headphones, Audeze worked closely with BMW’s DesignworksUSA, designing housings that minimize reflections and diffractions and to ensure a comfortable, secure fit, in a smaller, lighter package. At 20 grams, these are the lightest planar headphones so far.