Hearables, Headphones Testing, Audio Electronics, and More in audioXpress April 2023

Want to understand what's ahead in the most revolutionary audio product category of the 21st century? Read the State of the Hearables Industry Market Update. And for product developers and manufacturers, there's also a Headphones Test and Measurement report. Burkhard Vogel discusses op-amp noise in simulated models, Bruce E. Gillingham offers a complete monoblock power amplifier project, and René Christensen writes about acoustic topology optimization. And so much more....

Roku announced Roku OS 11, the company’s latest update to its original operating system purpose-built for streaming entertainment. The OS update of this Linux distribution will be rolled out with new features and bringing personalization and expanded content discovery to the forefront of the user’s experience. In line with Roku's focus on audio, Roku OS 11 also introduces new menu options for automated speech clarity, new sound modes, an updated mobile app and much more.

As part of its focus on voice convergence, in its April 2021 edition, audioXpress featured a contributed article by the founder and CEO of Fluent.ai, describing how increasing consumer demand for personalized experiences has sparked the creation of the company’s speaker ID technology, and exploring the challenges that this type of technology still faces. A valuable perspective from a company positioned right at the edge of voice recognition using AI and edge processing. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2021.

Audioburst announced two new strategic and investment partnerships totaling over $10M USD from Dentsu Inc. and Hyundai Motor Company in conjunction with existing investors. The next-gen voice-search company plans to build unique advertising and in-car voice-based experiences with the two leading brands. Audioburst also announced plans to formally launch in the Japanese market at the end of 2019 with Japanese language capabilities.

Alango Technologies is getting ready to launch its new Wear & Hear line of assistive hearing products, starting with BeHear Now, an advanced Bluetooth stereo headset and hearing enhancer, featuring advanced audio processing with personal adjustments. Unique technologies include the company's ListenThrough enhancement of ambient sounds, music and phone calls, and EasyListen, which slows down incoming speech in real time.

Alexa, let's go for a walk? 66 Audio, a company from California, focused on wireless consumer audio technology, unveiled its PRO Voice Bluetooth Wireless Headphones with built-in Amazon Alexa voice recognition. The PRO Voice is basically an implementation of the brand's BTS Pro Wireless Headphones, optimized for Alexa use outside the home, and deliver a fluid voice experience anywhere the user has Internet connection (and Alexa is available...).