13 January 2010

What goes around, comes around

  • What goes around, comes around

They say what goes around, comes around. If you wait for long enough, the trendy 1980s clothes at the back of the wardrobe will come back into fashion. The only problem is whether they will still fit. But the concept doesn't normally apply to the technology world. Once something becomes yesterday's technology – and, with mobile phones, that can be a matter of a few months – it tends to remain firmly in the past.

Or does it? Step forward the boom box. For those long enough in the tooth to remember them, these suitcase sized shoulder mounted devices were once the portable music player du jour. But they weren't popular with everyone. The staff of one technology magazine I used to work for had an earnest discussion about the feasibility of developing a device that could demagnetise tape heads at long range or similarly scramble the electronics.
But, strangely enough, the boom box may be making a reappearance. One such device – the Mix Digital Boombox for iPhone and iPod – has won an Innovation Award at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.
According to the press release, the device 'brings the house down'.
The release continues 'Pumping anthems from specially engineered tweeters and mid range drivers, this sound system delivers towering volume and perfect clarity from the heart of every party. The XdB bass enhanced 5.25in side firing subwoofer packs a heavy punch, pumping thunderous bass to shake the foundations'.
And to think that the sound emanating from MP3 headphones is considered intrusive …

Author
Graham Pitcher

Supporting Information

Websites
http://www.alteclansing.com

This material is protected by Findlay Media copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.

Do you have any comments about this article?

Add your comments

Name
 
Email
 
Comments
 

Your comments/feedback may be edited prior to publishing. Not all entries will be published.
Please view our Terms and Conditions before leaving a comment.

 

Related Articles

Quad dsp core audio SoC

Looking to help companies differentiate their products in an increasingly ...

PMIC an integration site?

Having long been one of the least heralded parts of an electronics design, the ...

Imp card brings IoT to home

US start up Electric Imp has developed an innovative user installable card ...

Embedded Power roundtable

While power supply design is becoming increasingly important, knowledge is ...

Haptics: A touch of class

We are surrounded by electronic machines, many of which have advanced at an ...

Short range, high data rate

The emergence of smartphones and tablet computers alongside digital cameras, ...

Cross platform middleware

The 2nd generation Intel Core processor family brings huge improvements in ...

Securing Smart Grid Devices Using ...

Energy providers and governments worldwide are looking for ways to upgrade ...

Coexistence Digital TV

Spectrum that was previously reserved for TV broadcasting is being freed up in ...

Bluetooth speaker design

HiWave Technologies has announced a stereo Bluetooth wireless speaker design ...

Sensing platforms from Epson

Epson has announced the commercial development of two new ranges of sensing ...

NEW led line up from ROHM

ROHM Semiconductor's new EXCELED led family is based on original device and ...

Engineering Design Show 2012

10th-11th October 2012, Jaguar Exhibition Hall, Ricoh Arena, Coventry, UK

The Ben Heck Show

The video shows mod guru Ben Heck build robot luggage to help lighten the load ...

Atari 2600 makeover

In 2000, Ben Heck built his first mod, a vintage, portable Atari 2600 Video ...

Delfino Floating Point Series

C2000 has been a well know player in the Industrial and Automotive spaces, and ...

Studying the road map

The semiconductor industry has developed a well organised supply chain over the ...

Counterfeit components

The extent of counterfeit component usage in military applications is gradually ...

UK electronics unites

Electronics trade organisations, professional and skills bodies are coming ...

Aurelius Wosylus, AMD

Chris Shaw discusses AMD's latest low power processors with Aurelius Wosylus.

John Schwartz, Digi Int'l

Graham Pitcher finds out from a communications specialist that M2M is slowly ...

Rick Clemmer, ceo, NXP

Rick Clemmer believes high performance mixed signal is just one of the sectors ...