Apple iPhone 7 to pack-in noise cancelling tech, support wireless charging!

While the launch of the iPhone 7 is months away in September, the rumours for the same have already begun to seep out. Last we heard (or have been hearing) that Apple has plans to get rid of the 3.5mm headphone jack to make the smartphone slimmer. But now another report from FastCompany not only confirms those previous rumours, but also adds some more details to them as well.

And these are some interesting details indeed with some facts and insights to back them up. According to its source, Apple will be building a slimmer iPhone 7 and will cull the 3.5mm jack to achieve the same. But there’s more on that.

The source confirmed that the Lightning port on the iPhone will be hot-wired for sound output to wired headphones. Bluetooth headphones will also be an option. Apple is reportedly working with its long-term audio chip partner Cirrus Logic to achieve the above. Also, the audio system will utilise a new noise-canceling technology from Wolfston Microelectronics UK. The same will be partially installed in the iPhone, while the remainder will work from the headphones (EarPods). Also Apple (as always) will be minting some money by licensing the audio processing technology to accessory makers.

For those of you who are unaware, Sony already utilises something like this and introduced the same with Xperia Z3+ back in 2015 at the MWC Barcelona.

And then we have something similar to Sony that follows – waterproofing. Yes the website’s source also confirmed that the upcoming Apple iPhone 7 will indeed be waterproof. And along with that we also have wireless charging a new feature (similar to inductive charging on the Apple Watch) that will make an entry into Apple’s mobile devices lineup.

Indeed, it again seems that Apple is simply playing catch up. But the source also says that wireless charging and waterproof capabilities have been added in development cycle at a later stage. Apple seems to be under pressure to add the above mentioned features in order to tempt buyers to upgrade to newer iPhone models, which also means that it is expecting the competition to heat up in year ahead.

Control Which External Sound You Want To Hear From This Headphone!

Headphones are great for listening to music, but also mean that you can't hear what's going on around you. New technology from Harman, however, could change this. Its Audio Augmented Reality (AAR) allows users to hear specific external sounds, such as your name being called.

The concept is similar to that employed by the SoundBrake device, which mutes headphones when it detects external noises. Unlike the SoundBrake, though, AAR will be built into the headphones themselves and can allow users to be selective about what external sounds they hear.

In order achieve this, Harman's Active Listening technology is first used to identify specific sounds, such as a cycle bell or a train announcement tone. In the event that the external sound has been specified as one that the user should hear, music volume is turned down and the sound is relayed through the headphones. Other external noises, however, are blocked out, allowing the user to listen to their music and only be alerted to other specified noises.

Harman is debuting its new AAR technology in two pairs of prototype headphones at CES. The AKG N60 headphones are designed to lower the volume of what is being listened to when the wearer's name is called, making them well suited for use in an office. The JBL Everest headphones, meanwhile, have an accompanying app which allows users to specify up to 10 trigger sounds that will be relayed to the listener.

Harman says it is planning to run an Indiegogo campaign to evaluate the market potential for the new technology, which it says is about 1-2 years away from being launched in a product.

Source: Harman

Now Have An Air-Purifying Filter Made From Peanut Shells!

There are a lot of peanuts grown in Mexico. Needless to say, the processing of them results in a lot of discarded peanut shells, which are generally considered to be a worthless byproduct. That could be about to change, however. Led by biotech expert Raul Pineda Olmedo, a team from the National University of Mexico and the Research Center of Advanced Studies has developed an air-purifying filter that utilizes the shells.

More specifically, the biofilter actually relies on microorganisms such as Fusarium fungi and Brevibacterium bacteria, which typically grow in peanut shells. These microbes take toxic compounds such as those commonly found in solvents, and convert them to carbon dioxide and water.

It takes approximately 28 days for an effective amount of the organisms to colonize one of the filters.

Microscopic image of a Peanut Shell

Additionally, the shells' hollow structure maximizes their surface area, allowing for more contact with the air. Like other filtration materials, they do also trap airborne particles such as those that make up dust and smoke.

So far, a kitchen range hood-like prototype has been created, although it is hoped that the technology could be applied to a wide variety of air filters. The university is working on commercializing the innovation.

Peanut shells, incidentally, may also find use in the making of natural dyes.

Vivy brings the deep heat pain-killer wearables!

If you don't know what diathermy is, you're not the only one. It's actually been around since 1907, and involves using high-frequency electromagnetic currents to generate heat in body tissue, accelerating the healing of injuries in the process. While it's previously been limited to clinical settings, ReGear Life Sciences' wearable Vivy device is designed to let people deliver their own treatments, wherever they happen to be.

Announced at CES, Vivy takes the form of a belt that contains a rechargeable battery, a control module, and induction coils that create the heat. By contrast, traditional diathermy machines are relatively large, and must be operated by trained clinicians.

Users wrap Vivy around the injured body part, power it up, then use its button controls to set the duration of the session. From there it goes to work delivering a deep-heat treatment, letting the user know when it's finished. There's also a companion smartphone app, on which users can create a treatment schedule, track the results of their sessions, and access other information.

While diathermy is currently used in applications ranging from physiotherapy to surgery, ReGear appears to be aiming Vivy mainly at people who suffer from chronic pain – this could include individuals with arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia or muscle/joint injuries. It is currently classed as an investigational device, and is not yet for sale.

That said, the company is planning to raise productions funds through a crowdfunding campaign, beginning next month. Interested parties can check in to see when it begins, via the link below. Pricing has yet to be determined, although a rep tells us that it will be available in different lengths, each one intended for use on specific body parts such as the back or knee.

Source:Vivy