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Magnetic Induction Technology Headset Reviewed

Posted by timothy on from the crystals-don't-sound-so-hot dept.

Semi-Anonymous Coward writes "The first review of a wireless headset using Magnetic Induction technolgy has been posted at mobile technology website MobileBurn. The reviewer mentions that the technology provides almost 'crystal clear' phone conversations, which is better than most Bluetooth headsets he has used. The magnetic induction technology creates a 'bubble' around the user which increases the security of their communications. Is this the replacement for Bluetooth in Audio applications? It certainly looks like it..."

3 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. Not so private? by cruff · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The manufacturer's web site seems to be claiming that this gives some privacy due to the use of near field magnetic induction. However, magnetic field antennas (i.e. AM broadcast band ferrite loop stick antennas) are used commonly to receive signals. It seems that all one need do is make a loop antenna sensitive to the 13.5 MHz frequency used and you could listen in with a shortwave receiver. Unless, of course, they encrypted the signal.

  2. The big question by elvum · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The big question is security. Magnetic induction technology is in widespread use already - post-office counters, public address systems and ticket booths are often fitted with inductive loops for the benefit of hearing-aid users, who can pick up the sound from them directly by switching their aids to a special setting.

    The article doesn't say, but one hopes that the manufacturers have built some reasonably sophisticated security into their system - if not, then eavesdropping devices for them are already in widespread use. :-)

  3. Re:Yes, but can you use it... by Orne · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Heh, you should see what happens when you put aluminum cans in a high power magnetic induction device... Whew, found some images at TeslaMania for before and after...

    When I was in school, the prof brought one of these into lab one day, and he was using it to railgun things across the room... They kept it locked up because some years before a student thought it would be funny to wrap a banana in foil and stick it into the machine, and it worked... picture a in your head a fine mist of burnt banana covering a good portion of a large freshman electronics lab, and that's close to the result. This site explains why with pictures.