Hearables to Aid and Improve Audio Communications in the Workplace

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.