Global Smart Home Market to Hit $155 Billion by 2023
The global smart home market ended on an upbeat note in 2017 reaching $84 billion, up 16% from $72 billion in 2016 according to a report just released by Strategy Analytics. According to the report, “2018 Global Smart Home Market Forecast”, worldwide consumer spending on smart home devices, systems and services will total nearly $96 billion in 2018 and grow at 10% CAGR over the forecast period (2018 to 2023) to $155 billion. Adoption of smart speakers from Amazon and Google is boosting the market.
Audinate Announces Dante AVIO Networking Adapters Are Now Shipping
Following the unveiling at NAMM 2018, and ISE 2018, earlier in 2018, Audinate now confirmed that its line of Dante AVIO adapters are now shipping and already available from several key online retailers, including Full Compass, Dale Pro Audio and Thomann, in addition to key regional distributors around the globe. Dante AVIO adapters are a family of cost-effective endpoints that enable audio professionals to easily connect legacy analog and digital audio equipment to Dante networks.
European Union Project ORPHEUS Shows Object-Based Media Innovations
On 15th May 2018, the EU-funded ORPHEUS consortium presented their results at a workshop in Munich, Germany. The event served to summarize how the ORPHEUS project has created a full set of tools and applications for object-based media innovations, including demonstrations of a future-proof radio service, perfecting the complete workflow for object-based audio and IP-based delivery, and demonstrating object-based broadcasting innovations including foreground/ background control, language selection, immersive sound, and enhanced program services.
Martin Audio Announces TH Series Three-way Loudspeakers for High Performance Applications
Martin Audio has announced the TH Series, comprising two very high performance, all-horn, three-way systems in both a horizontally and vertically formatted package. The new loudspeaker series was designed to complement the styling of Martin Audio's best-selling CDD and BlacklineX Series and are ideal for nightclub and large scale installs. THH is configured in a horizontal format while THV is its vertical counterpart and the driver complement in both systems has been engineered for exemplary performance in all bands.
Dirac Research Announces Smartphone Debut of its ‘Dirac Panorama Sound’ Audio Solution
Dirac Research announced that its Dirac Panorama Sound solution will finally make its smartphone debut in the Smartisan Nut R1 smartphone. Dirac Panorama Sound is a pioneering speaker-optimization solution that produces immersive surround sound audio from embedded speakers positioned only a few inches apart from one another in products such as smartphones and portable speakers. Surprisingly, this brilliant digital sound optimization technology only now is getting to actual products.
Apple Launches iOS 11.4 with AirPlay 2 to Enable HomePod Stereo Pairs and Multi-Room Audio
Apple has confirmed that its latest mobile operating system iOS 11.4 is now available introducing the much anticipated AirPlay 2 updated technology, which enables Apple's own smart speaker to be configured as stereo pairs and to work in multi-room mode. AirPlay 2 will be also supported by several other audio manufacturers. Apple also confirmed that HomePod will be available in Canada, France and Germany, starting June 18.
Optoma Launches NuForce BE Free5 True Wireless Earbuds
Optoma launched the Optoma NuForce BE Free5, its latest generation of true wireless stereo earbuds, focusing on quality sound, improved comfort and reliability. On the heels of introducing the popular Optoma NuForce BE Free8 first generation true wireless earphones in 2017, Optoma now leveraged Qualcomm's latest technology to produce a smaller, ergonomic design. At only $99, the Optoma NuForce BE Free5 break the price barrier for truly wireless earphones, featuring dynamic graphene-coated drivers.
Aravind Yarlagadda Named QSC Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Product Development
QSC announced the appointment of Aravind Yarlagadda as Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, Product Development. In this newly created role, Aravind will oversee all aspects of product development for the Costa Mesa, CA, company. Aravind Yarlagadda brings a rich career of multi-functional leadership in the high tech industry, with over 25 years of product development experience.
Unique Academic Recording Project Highlights the Effects of Microphone Placement with DPA Microphones
It is common knowledge among sound engineers that every musical instrument has a specific sound radiation pattern and that its recorded sound depends on where the microphone is placed in relation to that instrument. Investigating this fact has led to a fascinating collaboration between Kazuya Nagae, a sound recording Associate Professor from Soundmedia Composition Course, Nagoya University of the Arts, and Thorsten Weigelt, a Tonmeister and professor from the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK).
BeatRig Grimm Audio LevelNorm 2 Audio Normalization Available in Any Host Plug-in Format
For years, BeatRig Grimm Audio’s LevelNorm has been a standard software tool of choice for one click audio loudness normalization in Avid Pro Tools and Media Composer. Many broadcasters around the globe rely on LevelNorm for program normalization by their editors and journalists. With the release of version 2, compliance to EBU R128, ATSC A/85 and CALM act requirements extends to every DAW, with both realtime (AU/VST/AAX) and offline (AAX).