Acoustics & Audio Technology

Using human thought to control anything whatsoever, let alone a computer, has been an intriguing science fiction topic for decades. In the July 2008 issue of Acoustics & Audio Technology, two stories bring such technology to the forefront. In one, monkeys use biofeedback to control a robotic arm to feed themselves; another relates the story of a soon-to-be-released headset based on EEG technology that let wearers use their thoughts, emotions, and expressions to control their interactions with the game. As a backup technology, I guess, head motions can also be used for input. If what is claimed actually functions, this is a breakthrough for computer I/O. What do you think?

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By all indications it appears that hybrid and electric vehicles pose a certain risk for pedestrians, particularly legally blind and handicapped individuals. One obvious solution is some kind of audible alert. Typical backup beepers do the job, but probably are too loud and annoying in constant use. Perhaps a transponder approach like those used on aircraft could trigger a user-selectable audible warning or vibration on a receiver device. One low-cost concept suggests clipping baseball trading cards to the vehicle frame creating noise every time a wheel spoke hits it — just like kids of yesteryear did on their bikes. What do you think is practical?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Acoustics & Audio Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Acoustics & Audio Technology today.

By typing "arrested" into his cell phone and sending the text message to his friends on Twitter, a micro-blogging site, a journalism grad student was able to secure his release from his lockup in Egypt. In effect, he "tweeted" his release via a social networking site. Oh, is that what text messaging is for? While many view text messaging with disdain, the "thumb" tribe (or thumb generation) see the function as an indispensable tool entering text on tiny keyboards for extended periods of time. Other than sending directions, what kind of functions would make text messaging useful for you?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Acoustics & Audio Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Acoustics & Audio Technology today.

Inevitably, rechargeable batteries for portable electronics run down at the least opportune times — i.e., right when you need them the most. For example, your car breaks down in the boonies and you can't call for a tow with a dead cell phone. Enterprising technophiles (and probably ex-scouts) can be prepared for this by purchasing DC chargers, multiport power inverters, extra batteries, and so on ad infinitum at an added cost. Since standby times and "on" times never seem to live up to the spec values, what do you think OEMs should do to make devices last longer in use? Cut high-power-consumption features, incorporate sleep modes, use better batteries, or what?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Acoustics & Audio Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Acoustics & Audio Technology today.

With the exploding barrage of unneeded functionality in mobile phones that many users don't want or need, it probably makes sense to find out "who wants what" and "who could really use a particular function." Surfing the Web, reading e-mails, and composing memos for work, etc., are just a few of the functions some cannot live without and helps many do their jobs more effectively. However, some people like the disabled could really benefit from specific functions. According to one recent study, people with disabilities could use a feature (among others) that would permit "a service dog to call for help." What other kinds of features do you think would make life or work easier?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Acoustics & Audio Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Acoustics & Audio Technology today.