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Sound Over Laser: AudioLaser?

So, get this MIT have managed to transmit audio over laser. Somehow. So it’s AudioLaser – I guess?

Scientists over at MIT have figured out how to transmit audio over a laser beam. This is any type of audio, so that can be audio, it can be music anything at all. This is without a receiver either.

“Our system can be used from some distance away to beam information directly to someone’s ear… It is the first system that uses lasers that are fully safe for the eyes and skin to localize an audible signal to a particular person in any setting.” Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher Charles M. Wynn via a press release.

The groundbreaking discovery was published in a paper in an journal called Optics Letters. The paper goes on to describe how an MIT team developed two differing methods of transmitting audio via laser.

How?

The way that the MIT researchers managed to do this was via a photoacoustic effect. This is the formation of soundwaves as a result of a material absorbing light. In their case they used water vapour that in the air, if they ‘swept’ a laser beam at the speed of sound. By changing the length of the sweeps they were able to encode different audible pitches.

Both methods allowed them to transmit sound a total of 8.2Ft away at 60db. In comparison this is about the same level of loudness of background music. Yet in this instance only the sound maker and the sound ‘target’ were able to hear it.
On the other hand they were able to encode an audio message by adjusting the power of the laser beam, however, this resulted in a much quieter result. Yet it was a clearer result than the prior method.

AudioLaser – Safety

The MIT team want to use this tech to allow the transmission of audio in situations that can be quite dangerous. For example at a mass shooting. Authorities could beam instructions to those in trouble, without anyone else hearing.

“We hope that this will eventually become a commercial technology…There are a lot of exciting possibilities, and we want to develop the communication technology in ways that are useful.” researcher Ryan M. Sullenberger

(Futurism)

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Wonderboom

Waterproof, wireless and great sounding: Wonderboom

The Wonderboom is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker with a huge sound! Firstly the shape of the speaker, highlights how the sounds of the speaker will work. A rounded shape, almost like a short fat, squashed Amazon Alexa. It has HUGE buttons on the top to allow for easy access to controls. But why would we need easy access to controls? It’s simply just a bluetooth speaker.

Wonderboom: Features

That much it is but it is so much more, it’s waterproof! Plus it can float! So this can easily be used in the bath, shower, or even better, the sea or a swimming pool! If it gets dirty just simply give it a soak and the speaker will be free of damage!

The shape pays respects to the 360 degree sound that the Wonderboom produces, so wherever you are in the pool or in the room. You’ll receive the same level of sound volume and share the same experience! Not only that, there are two speakers inside the Wonderboom, to help produce that huge pumping thumping sound!

The Wonderboom has an enormous life. It comes with an incredible battery life of 10 hours! So you can go partying long into the day and night.

Wonderboom is also virtually indestructible, with being drop proof tested by up to five feet, it comes equipped with a hanging loop to easily attach to any bag, or backpack.

Finally the Wonderboom’s bluetooth and wireless capabilities are to be desired with up to 8 source devices being able to be stored on the device. It has a range of up to 33M too so you can be as free as you like and party without being constrained to the speaker!

The Wonderboom’s sound is something to be desired and we love it here at the How To Kill An Hour studio. It’s heavy and can pack quite the punch with the bass. A truly wonderful speaker that has a plethora of uses. It’s one not to be missed when going on holiday!

To purchase your own Wonderboom bluetooth speaker please click here!

Nope Sound and Webcam Blocker

Nope Sound Blocker and Webcam Cover

Do you want more security on your devices? The 'Nope' sound blocker and webcam cover would be perfect for you! Music Credit: instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden).mp3

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Tuesday, 8 August 2017

Anyone can hack into your computer and turn on the microphone/webcam without you even knowing, the best way to guarantee privacy is to block these from being accessed, the way Nope do it is not via software but via hardware, small thin pieces of metal and tape, which is slid across the webcam, blocking the camera when not in use and a 3.5mm jack to stop sound from being heard!

Back this project by clicking here!

Beats X

This week we tried out the AMAZING Beats X by Dr Dre!

Beats and Apple are changing the way you listen to music with the introduction of Apple W1 technology in BeatsX . Incorporating the incredible W1 chip brings seamless setup and switching for your Apple devices*, amazing battery life, and 5-minute Fast Fuel charging for 2 hours of playback!

  • The unique Flex-Form cable provides a flexible fit for all-day wear, while a variety of eartip and secure-fit wingtip options offer further personalized comfort and stability.
  • From listening to music to taking calls, clear acoustics deliver an authentic listening experience, no matter where your day takes you.
  • Beatsx features an 8-hour battery powered by the Apple W1 chip so it is ready when you are. Whether on the go or at work, you can enjoy wireless listening throughout your day.

 

To buy your own Beats X please click here!

To listen to the guys chatting about Beats X please click here!