Bang & Olufsen Designs Premium Business Headset for Cisco Webex

Hybrid work has increased the need for high-quality multifunctional headsets, as remote workers seek to reduce background noise from remote workspaces, or simply enjoy music while on the go. Bang & Olufsen and Cisco announced the Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980, a luxury business headset that pairs Bang & Olufsen’s unique design with integrated meeting controls, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, and even IT management capabilities for secure communications using Cisco’s technologies.

During its Zoomtopia 2021 update event, Zoom Video Communications announced ambitious plans to grow its online communications scope. Zoom unveiled a new ecosystem of apps to empower hybrid workforces, and promises to expand its market with new B2B tools, including Zoom Video Engagement Center (VEC) and Zoom Events Conference. The company also unveiled its new Zoom Whiteboard collaboration tool and promised to boost real time, automated translation, and expand its existing live transcription.

The August 2021 edition of audioXpress is now available in print and online. Read our Acoustical Solutions Round-Up 2021 and enjoy the DIY perspectives from Ethan Winer and Thomas Perazella on dealing with room measurements and treatments. David Logvin reviews Audio Precision's APx517B Acoustic Audio Analyzer, while Richard Honeycutt reflects on acoustic challenges for online and in-person meetings. And we conclude the DH-220C MOSFET Power Amplifier article by Bob Cordell and Rick Savas, and the VSCS Amplifier project in this edition.

Sensory announced the integration of its TrulyNatural embedded speech recognition software within the latest public beta release of Zoom Rooms for Android, iOS, MacOS and Windows. With this integration, voice commands are now supported on all Zoom Rooms platforms, which now offer the convenience of voice control while maintaining privacy. With this update, Zoom-native voice commands support expanded functionality, all processed locally, never in the cloud.

Nureva's HDL300 and Dual HDL300 audio conferencing systems now offer in-room amplification of an instructor or presenter’s voice improving the experience in hybrid environments. In-person participants in classrooms and meeting rooms can hear more clearly with voice amplification and full-room microphone pickup simultaneously, without compromising the excellent audio experience for those who are remote.

Following the acquisition of Stem Audio in late 2020, Shure is redefining its conferencing portfolio, as workspaces continue to evolve in today’s hybrid workforce. The company reinforces its market-leading position by combining its Microflex product line with Stem Ecosystem solutions as complete audio systems for daily conferencing and meeting needs without compromising on performance or ease of deployment.

This article by Jon Schau (Lead Engineer for Emerging Technology at Bose Professional) frames the Work from Anywhere paradigm and sends a message to CIOs, CTOs and IT departments. The article discusses how digital connectivity empowered knowledge workers to collaborate, communicate, and execute from anywhere in the world. And how, as UC literacy evolves, IT must grow along with it! This article was originally published in The Audio Voice, April 2021.

EPOS announced the launch of EXPAND Capture 5, a new "intelligent speaker" optimized for Microsoft Teams Rooms that will enable taking virtual meetings to the next level. The new smart speakerphone is able to identify participants automatically in Microsoft Teams in order to transcribe a live feed of the conversation. And EXPAND Capture 5 features a premium speaker system with a 7-microphone array in order to support clear voice interactions between in-room and remote participants.

Following the introduction of the Yamaha YVC-200 Portable USB + Bluetooth Speakerphone in 2018, Yamaha Unified Communications gradually increased its range of professional-quality portable conference solutions, including new YVC Speakerphone models, the CS-700 Video Soundbar and further conference room speaker and microphone solutions. Since 2020, Yamaha refocused this powerful range of communication products to respond to the more diverse needs of work from home and remote collaboration.

audioXpress February 2021 explains why Microphones have gained Essential Status, and how microphones have a foundational contribution to voice front-ends. Erica Yorga details how Thousands of Virtual Microphones can solve audio conferencing challenges, and Mike Meechan explains how to design high-performance microphone preamplifiers. Brent Butterworth reviews the Widex Moment mRIC RD hearing aids to understand the differences and similarities in the critical sound experience. Michael Steffes explains how to increase the output current for an audio op-amp, and Andrew C. Russell details the X-Altra, a high-performance MC/MM phono equalizer DIY project. Now available in print and digital.