Soundbug turns flat surfaces into speakers

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2106596,00.html">http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2106596,00.html</a><br /><br />If there's one thing I can say with certainty about CeBIT, it's this: you simply can't see everything in one day. Dale Coffing, Ed Hansberry, and myself were on the show floor from 9 am when it opened (companies were still setting up their booths) until 6:30 pm (30 minutes after it ended) and we only covered perhaps 25% of the show floor. I wish I would have seen this device - it sounds awesome! Imagine having your Pocket PC and this device, and walking up to a window at a party and spinning your own tunes. Cool!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/soundbug.jpg" /><br /><br />"The desks are alive with the sound of music at the CeBIT show in Hannover, as Olympia launches a cheap device that will turn any flat surface into the biggest speaker on the block. It may be more famous for making typewriters, but Olympia has just revealed what some observers are calling one of the sexiest gadgets of this year's CeBIT -- a small device that can turn pretty much any flat surface into a soundboard. The Soundbug can be plugged into the headphone socket of, for example, an MP3 player or a walkman, and then fixed by suction to the flat surface -- effectively turning a desk or window into a speaker....<br /><br />...The Soundbug transmits the sound to the flat surface by way of a small piece of Terfenol, which is a mixture of rare earth metals and iron. This substance is placed within an aluminium case, around which is wrapped a coil. Passing electricity through the coil causes the piece of Terfonal to slightly expand, resulting in a force of 400 pounds, explained Newlands Scientific managing director Brian Smith. Once attached to a flat surface, Soundbug will transmit electronic signals into mechanical energy -- causing the flat surface to vibrate and broadcast the sound."

[Aceze]

I guess you dont want to stick it on someone's back...


:twisted:

Aceze

[briansturdivant]

Where can I get it!!!???

[WialyDiody]

This is definatly the next gadget on my list! :lol:

[st63z]

Will it work on hard-rippled, washboard abs such as mine?

Wait a sec, this reminds me of those abs-shaker get-thin type informercials... but 400 pounds? oh mama...

(Will this be sold in the states soon?)

[Pony99CA]

...

Imagine having your Pocket PC and this device, and walking up to a window at a party and spinning your own tunes. Cool!

...

"...The Soundbug transmits the sound to the flat surface by way of a small piece of Terfenol, which is a mixture of rare earth metals and iron. This substance is placed within an aluminium case, around which is wrapped a coil. Passing electricity through the coil causes the piece of Terfonal to slightly expand, resulting in a force of 400 pounds, explained Newlands Scientific managing director Brian Smith."


It generates 400 pounds of force and you want to attach it to a window? That seems like a recipe for disaster....

Steve

[Dave Conger]

It generates 400 pounds of force and you want to attach it to a window? That seems like a recipe for disaster....


I was just going to say that...and why would you want it to vibrate and make sound on your window?

Though it is an interesting concept, I don't really see what the advantages would be to it? I really don't think my wall would give me very wonderful sound quality compared to my speakers.

[JonnoB]

I can see this kind of technology being applied to living structures... can you imagine that instead of speakers along your wall, to have your walls actually vibrate the sound... even have a sub in the floor!

[Timothy Rapson]

This looks really clever. Can't wait to see what they could do with video. What if I could just hook a wire to my wall and see a 1600 by 1200 display of my favorite movie, book, or whatnot?

[LarDude]

Hmmm...from a technical standpoint, this gadget is intriguing. From a practical standpoint, it "sounds" like a solution looking for a problem.

[popko]

A few questions:

1. Will the vibrateion case structural damage to buildings in the long term?

2. Made of rare Earth metals? How much would it cost?

3. Walls, windows, and desks are often fixed structures. Most likely that they will not vibrate as much as the material most speakers are made from. So how is the quility of the output?

[JMountford]

It sounds impressive. But will it be a resounding success? Any one know the price point? I would like to hear a review of the device. Deffinately on my short list for must see toys.

[McDeb]

Looks like they are being marketed toward kids. Here's a link to a video demo: http://www.soundbug.biz/how.asp?lang=en&mov=big

The thought of two for full stereo sound is really intriguing. The web site also has a contest to win one along with a notification for availability in stores.

[Batfink]

I'm definately going to get one of these when they hit the shops. I always carry around a fair bit of music and being able to share it with people would be brilliant. I used to carry a small set of speakers in my bag, but this will probably replace them. Plus, imagine the havoc you could cause attaching these things to the outside of office windows :)

I suppose battery life is my only concern. Do these things have their own battery? Do they take poewr from the audio device? How much power do they use?

I'll probably buy one regardless...

[Sven Johannsen]

...and why would you want it to vibrate and make sound on your window?


Block party, Dude. Bet the heck outa the boom box on the fire escape. :P

[OlManRivah]

These transducers have been around for years, but, never really took off. No match for speakers. Posibly PDA's will give them a new life.... :roll:

[Rirath]

Just a shame it's being marketed as a child's toy instead of a tech gadget. Oh well, higher sales and lower price I suppose. Maybe if this gets popular a more respectable version will come along.

What I'm curious about other than sound quality though, is volume. In the pictures on the article they show the kid with his face practically pushed against the glass. Are we talking wall shaking bass or kazoos and toy drums here?

"A single Soundbug can generate sound levels of up to 75 dBm peak, easily loud enough for a group of people to enjoy music together, or listen to the sound output from a laptop presentation or a camcorder video. Two Soundbugs can be linked in parallel to generate full stereo sound (from a stereo source) with a significantly increased sound output level."

Dang... where's that dumb chart inside headphone instruction books saying how extended use at a loud volume will make me deaf when I need it? ... found it. Assuming this is the same type of measurement:

30 Quiet Library, soft whispers
40 Living room, refrigerator, bedroom away from traffic
50 Light traffic, normal conversation, quiet office
60 Air conditioner at 20 feet, sewing machine
70 Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, noisy resturant
80 Average city traffic, garbage disposals, alarm clock at two feet
( \/ danger level \/ )
90 Subway, motorcycle, truck traffic, lawn mower
100 Garbage truck, chainsaw, pneumatic drill
120 Rock band concert in front of speakers, thunderclap
140 Gunshot blast, jet engine
180 Rocket launching pad.

Well, here's hoping two of em together can reach at least 120... but 75 seems like a good start. That's assuming they're being truthful.

[Newsboy]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA WAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA HA HAHAH AH AHA HA HAHAHAHA

SCREW THE CORPORATION! SCREW THE MAN!

Pardon me while I rant for a second here. I just bought an Olympia Soundbug for...drumroll please...$20.75, SHIPPED! And from a reputable place too!

First, an Audiovox Maestro for $219, shipped free, and with a free 3 piece luggage set. Now this. God I kill myself.

You say you want one? Easy! Here's the the three quick steps:

1) Go to TechBargains.com, and look for the HSN discount code on the main page, on the right hand side. The one you want is $25 of $35 for first time orders.

2) Click through to go to HSN, and look for the soundbug. It's under the Electronics section, in the Audio sub-section. They want ~$40 for it, plus $6 for shipping.

3) Add it to your cart, and enter the coupon code. Register yourself as a new customer, and voila! One Soundbug, shipped, for $20.75!

:twisted:

I'm so evil. I'll let you all know how it sounds when it comes, but for $20, I'm sure it's worth it!

Now I just need to scam, I mean buy, a cheap as hell 802.11b CF card. Anyone have any ideas?

[Newsboy]

Got it two days after ordered. Got an email saying it was shipped the same day it came in the mail. Too funny.

Sound quality isn't great, but it's definetly better than the built-in speaker on a PPC. Lacks bass, tinny on very thin or hollow surfaces. Works great attached to my MDF and tile kitchen table. Kind of an odd sensation though, the sound comes out of the whole table rather than from just one point. Would be interested to spend $20, buy another, and see how loud they can get.