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About Joao Martins
Since 2013, Joao Martins leads audioXpress as editor-in-chief of the US-based magazine and website, the leading audio electronics, audio product development and design publication, working also as international editor for Voice Coil, the leading periodical for the loudspeaker industry. Covering Audio and Video technology for more than 30 years - Broadcast, Film, Computer Graphics, and Music - as founder and editor of several leading publications in Portuguese and Spanish languages, (he's also fluent in French!), he benefits from a broad and rich perspective of those sectors and its multiple verticals. Marketing and Communication Specialist working at the intersection of media and technology for over three decades, Joao Martins started as a musician and studied visual arts and cinema before founding its own (short-lived) advertising agency. After a career in marketing and sales in film, television, radio and pro audio systems, transitioned full time to magazine publishing.

All items written by Joao Martins
Amazon Reimagines Echo Smart Speaker Family for 2020
September 29, 2020 by Joao Martins

Amazon Reimagines Echo Smart Speaker Family for 2020

Amazon.com introduced its all-new line-up of Echo devices, featuring completely new designs, enhanced audio, more powerful hardware, and experiences that make Alexa voice assistant more engaging, and helpful. Most of the new Amazon products will be available at the end of October 2020, and that includes an all-new Echo (4th Gen), now with better sound and integrated smart home hub; the new Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids Edition featuring the new spherical designs and improved audio, and Echo Show 10, the smart speaker with screen.
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Bluetooth SIG to Begin Qualifying Products Using LC3 Codec
September 24, 2020 by Joao Martins

Bluetooth SIG to Begin Qualifying Products Using LC3 Codec

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced it will start qualifying products using the LC3 Low Complexity Communication Codec, part of the new LE Audio Specification announced at CES 2020, back in January. Even though the organization doesn't expect the rest of the specifications that define all the use cases for LE Audio to be released before mid-year 2021, manufacturers are officially encouraged to start implementing the new Fraunhofer/Ericsson codec.
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Hooke Audio Launches Hooke Lav Mobile Bluetooth Lavalier Microphone Campaign
September 22, 2020 by Joao Martins

Hooke Audio Launches Hooke Lav Mobile Bluetooth Lavalier Microphone Campaign

Hooke Audio, the company that previously developed the Hooke Verse binaural recording headset, is now launching a new KickStarter campaign to promote its latest development, the Hooke Lav. While there are many affordable lavalier microphones that connect to wireless transmitters and even Bluetooth, the Hooke Lav gets a few things right. First its design is "lapel" friendly and will look nice on-camera. Secondly, the updated Bluetooth technology means it might actually work better.
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AKM Launches Low Power Solution for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Development with ANC and Promotes Complete Solution Portfolio
September 18, 2020 by Joao Martins

AKM Launches Low Power Solution for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Development with ANC and Promotes Complete Solution Portfolio

Demand for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) products reflect the growing demand for multi-function, health care, and connected wearable solutions, all requiring smaller and longer battery life devices. Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has recently introduced the AKM AK4336ECB ultra low power audio codec, a 4-channel ADC and one channel DAC that supports active noise cancelling designs, complementing its complete portfolio of audio systems and sensors for TWS development.
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Bose Enters Headphone Gaming Market with QuietComfort 35 II
September 17, 2020 by Joao Martins

Bose Enters Headphone Gaming Market with QuietComfort 35 II

Bose introduced their first gaming headphones, cleverly repackaging the brand's extremely popular Bose QuietComfort 35 II ANC model as a gaming headset. For that, Bose combined the already proven features of the QuietComfort 35 II design with a detachable gaming module and attachable microphone boom, turning into a 2-in-1 gaming and lifestyle headset. The QC35 II Gaming Headset will respond perfectly to the demands of hours of competitive gaming and music listening, with a comfortable fit, with just a few added controls on the earcups.
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ISE Postponed to June 2021 and Launches New Digital Offering
September 15, 2020 by Joao Martins

ISE Postponed to June 2021 and Launches New Digital Offering

After a period of consultation with the industry and the impact of the ongoing pandemic, Integrated Systems Events announced that ISE 2021, scheduled for taking place 2-5 February in Barcelona for the first time, has been postponed and will now (possibly) take place June 1-4, alongside a virtual offering. ISE intends to launch RISE Digital, a regular program of content and networking events which will run throughout the year and will support the show, in-person or virtual.
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Futuresource's Audio Collaborative 2020 Expands as Two-Day Live-Streamed Event
September 14, 2020 by Joao Martins

Futuresource's Audio Collaborative 2020 Expands as Two-Day Live-Streamed Event

Futuresource Consulting is putting together another edition of the company's renowned Audio Collaborative event, which for 2020 will be shifting to an all-virtual experience. With health and safety being of prime importance during the coronavirus outbreak, Futuresource must ensure all co-workers, exhibitors, thought leaders and attendees feel at ease to best experience and deliver the range of fascinating topics lined up. Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th of November, from 14:00 – 18:00 GMT, Audio Collaborative 2020 will be more global than ever.
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An Immersive Champagne Tasting Space for the House of Krug in France
September 10, 2020 by Joao Martins

An Immersive Champagne Tasting Space for the House of Krug in France

French designer and manufacturer of high-end electroacoustic systems Amadeus and the Krug Champagne winery in France have set up a tasting room with an immersive audio system with highly customized speakers for specially composed music to accompany wine tasting. France's advanced acoustics and music technology research institute IRCAM was intimately involved with Amadeus to create an immersive 'Audio Tasting Space' at the House of Krug, Reims France.
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Sound Particles Releases Free eBook on Immersive Audio: “All You Need to Know About 3D Audio”
September 9, 2020 by Joao Martins

Sound Particles Releases Free eBook on Immersive Audio: “All You Need to Know About 3D Audio”

Software company Sound Particles, serving the content creation industry and particularly popular among Hollywood movie studios and game production companies, is widely recognized has one of the smartest sound design tools for immersive and spatial audio content. Now, the company's founder and CEO, Nuno Fonseca, wrote an introductory book on the fundamentals of 3D audio, and his company made it available as a free eBook.
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Actively Smart True Wireless Earbuds: How to Augment Your Hearing
September 3, 2020 by Joao Martins

Actively Smart True Wireless Earbuds: How to Augment Your Hearing

IFA 2020, in Berlin, Germany, was "the first major global fair for consumer and home electronics" to physically take place since the pandemic. This limited push to promote a trade show again, lead some major consumer electronics companies and brands to converge their announcements in the week from September 1-5, with showcases streamed to the world live from the Berlin exhibition grounds. Some announcements were relevant to the audio industry and included the Qualcomm press conference, which used the opportunity to launch its latest Adaptive ANC platform, an important step towards smart true wireless earbuds.
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