LG Electronics Introduces New Personal Wireless Concepts at CES 2017

LG Electronics is showing new concepts for wearable sound at CES 2017, with the unveiling of its LG TONE Studio and LG TONE Free designs, combining its already familiar neckband concept with new wireless charging earbuds and a new approach to personal surround sound on a wearable. The lineup will be led by the new LG TONE Studio wearable speakers capable of delivering surround sound and the LG TONE Free earphones with truly wireless earbuds that charge when docked in the companion neckband.

Combining the freedom that wireless earbuds allow with the correct fit is a challenge that manufacturers recognize. To anticipate the expected demand, Hearing Components, the manufacturer of Comply products introduced its new Truly Wireless Premium Foam Tips, improving noise blocking, audio and comfort, compatible with The Dash and The Headphone by Bragi, Samsung Gear IconX, Jabra Elite Sport, Motorola VerveOne and other models.

The enterprise market, led by the government, military, and retail verticals, is also beginning to turn to hearables to foster better communication, collaboration, and workforce productivity. Market research from ABI Research forecasts enterprise hearable shipments will top one million in 2021, increasing from just 30,000 in 2016, at a CAGR of more than 108%.

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.

Advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and specialty component solutions specialists, Knowles Corporation, announced the launch of Versant advanced voice technology, an advanced audio solution for hearables and premium earphones that optimizes the user’s voice in noisy environments, such as wind or crowds. A first implementation example includes Munich-based, Bragi, which has recently introduced a software upgrade to its The Dash earbuds featuring Knowles Versant technology.

As we said previously, the race is on for the winner of the full-wireless earbuds challenge. Doppler Labs is the latest contender with their Here One hearables, promising “The Future of In-Ear Computing”. The difference is this is not your typical crowdfunding project, but a company working for the past three years to perfect the Here One concept, exploring the full potential of personalized earbuds.