NFC Forum Wireless Charging Specification 2.0 Allows Charging TWS Earbuds From Smartphones

The NFC Forum latest Wireless Charging Technical Specification 2.0 allows for wireless charging by enabling a single antenna in an NFC-enabled device to manage both communications between the devices and charging. Users who need to charge low-power devices such as wireless earbuds, digital stylus pens, fitness trackers, and other small consumer products can now do so from NFC-enabled smartphones and other devices, just by placing both devices directly in contact.

The unveiling of the new Starkey Livio AI platform was a major event for Starkey Hearing Technologies, with the US-based company multiple times mentioning the market disruption caused by the iPhone on the communications market, and declaring its ambition to do the same with smart hearing. Starkey intends to reivent "both the hearing experience and the hearing aid,” markets with Livio AI, “the world’s first Healthable hearing aid to utilize integrated sensors and artificial intelligence and the first device to track physical activity and cognitive health as measured by hearing aid use in social situations.

Here is an interesting announcement from truly wireless earbuds pioneer Skybuds. This leading company in the hearables space announced that, in response to users' requests, it will now be possible to purchase earbuds and charging docks separately. The brand's individual Skybuds and Skydocks can now be purchased as separate pieces, assuring users that they'll never be left without their truly wireless earbuds or chargers.

NXP Semiconductors and hearing aid specialist Widex announced that they have collaborated to develop, test and integrate NXP’s NxH2003 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) audio streaming SoC into the new Widex Beyond hearing aids. The two companies worked closely together throughout the product development cycle, to deliver hearing aid devices that can stream wireless audio from an Apple iOS device, consuming only 2.8 mA current at 1.2 Volts, which is currently the best in the industry. This allows end users to enjoy music directly from their personal devices for prolonged periods of time.

Earin is a new Swedish brand, founded in 2013 to create simple high fidelity audio devices that "fully explore the potential of sound and technology." The company is already on the market with their M-1 Wireless Earbuds, a first-generation product targeted at music listening without wires. At CES 2017, Earin introduced their new M-2 earbuds, scheduled to ship in late Q1, and featuring a combination of the latest Bluetooth LE technology with NXP's Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) chip.

audioXpress January 2017 is now available. This month, we review Kii Audio’s new Kii Three speakers, and report on the most interesting new products at The Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (RMAF) 2016. We explore Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) wireless audio applications, and the new USB Audio Device Class 3.0 specification for USB Type-C. We discuss streaming DSD over the Internet, revisit the Helmholtz resonator, explain how to build a Low-Power, Class-A Power Amplifier, and interview Michael Carnes of Exponential Audio. There is a lot to read inside this issue!

Another week and another “hearable” announcement is made. Wearables 2016 CES Innovation Awards honoree Alpha Audiotronics, announced the start of the pre-sale for its first product, Skybuds truly wireless earbuds, and the launch of its newly redesigned website skybuds.com. The company promises a truly wire-free solution with premium sound quality and reliable connectivity. Skybuds promises 4 hours per charge and 5 additional charges and storage through the Skydock case.

Never worry about tangled up earbud wires again, says NXP Semiconductors at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (March 2-5). The Dutch semiconductor giant is demonstrating Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) technology in a truly wireless earbud including wireless audio streaming from ear to ear, using its new NxH2280 NFMI based radio transceiver.