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Turn Your Head Into Speakers

Roland Piquepaille writes "A small company based in Iowa has developed products made with a "smart" metal that can turn your walls or your head into speakers. "Last August, Etrema -- an innovative technology firm nestled in the cornfields of Ames, Iowa -- started selling those chrome discs for $1,500 a pair. Called Whispering Windows, they can turn any wall, window, or drab conference table into a speaker." The author tried the technology, and even if she needed a full bottle of Tylenol after usage, said "it's not every day that your head serves as a piece of stereo equipment." This overview tells you more about this "magic" metal, the Terfenol, which is a combination of terbium and dysprosium. The article also says that we can soon expect pirated versions of Terfenol coming from China."

6 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. The human stereo by Adam+Jenkins · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now if they can just wire the Discman inside your skull someplace too..

    1. Re:The human stereo by Nucleon500 · · Score: 4, Funny
      This is clearly the best technology ever developed, because it can close the analog hole. We can implant two speakers, one for each ear, just inside the skull. Each speaker will have a DAC and a decryptor chip, and a secure digital pathway leading out the ear canal. The pathway will block the ear canal to restrict unauthorized listening. The speakers will connect to a wearable Microsoft Music Center device, which will manage the user's listening rights. Later versions might include a microphone, so that the user can listen to sounds in the environment, after a short delay to ensure they aren't watermarked.

      Although some cyber-terrorists may consider this a drastic method, it's the only way to protect the content industries, which are vital to America's economy, from rampant piracy and theft. Therefore, I'm proposing legislation requiring these devices to be implanted in each child before they turn two. Please join my crusade of consumer protection and write your congressman today!

  2. This explains alot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...no wonder the voices in my head sound like the Rolling Stones.

    Now if they would only quit playing "Sympathy for the Devil".

    -mark

  3. My head already got a speaker! by DaneelGiskard · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wonder...will god nullify their patent because of prior art? ;-)

  4. Matrix... by DaneelGiskard · · Score: 4, Funny

    If Mr. Anderson would have had that in Matrix, he could have really pissed of that agent in that questioning scene...

    Agent: "What good is a phone call...if you're unable to speak!"

    Neo turns on his head speakers

    Neo: "Wadda say?" ;-)

  5. Re:Been done before? by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because of the poorer sound quality, teenage boys seem to like it.

    If you haven't listens to todays music. Low quality speakers only help make it better.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.