Dyson engineers spent six years developing more than 500 prototypes that transformed the company’s air filtration technology into a compact wearable unit. The product evolution began as a hilariously bulky design with a snorkel-like mouthpiece, which was eventually refined to its final form: fairly standard-looking over-the-ear headphones with the face visor attached. The visor might appear slightly claustrophobic, but it doesn’t actually touch the wearer’s face, hovering far enough away for proper air circulation.

The compressors in each ear cup draw air through dual-layer filters and project two streams of purified air to the wearer’s nose and mouth through the visor. Sculpted air returns ensure that you’re breathing purified air that is diluted as little as possible by external crosswinds. To test the filtration, Dyson engineers used a breathing mannequin with medical-grade mechanical lungs and sensing equipment, which they placed in a controlled chamber full of air pollution.

The mannequin “breathed” through the Dyson Zone, and then the contents of its lungs were tested to see how much pollution made it through, with results showing that the filters are at least 97 percent effective. The filtration consists of negatively charged electrostatic filter media to trap ultra fine particles like allergens, brake dust, industry combustion and construction-related pollution, while a potassium-enriched carbon layer captures common urban gas pollutants like NO2 and SO2.

The Dyson Zone is designed for comfort, taking inspiration from the shape of a horse’s saddle to distribute weight over the sides of the head rather than the top. A custom blend of different types of foam makes the ear cup and headband cushions soft, stable, and capable of blocking out external sound. Which brings us, at long last, to the quality that’s most important in a pair of headphones: the audio.

The Zone has three different modes for noise cancellation. Raising the face visor turns on isolation mode, with active noise cancelling to eliminate distractions. When you lower the visor, you activate conversation mode, disabling noise cancellation. Transparency mode is somewhere in between, filtering most noises but allowing important sounds like car horns and sirens to come through. Dyson says the Zone delivers immersive high-fidelity sound, so you can listen to music as it was meant to be heard wherever you go.

Is anyone actually going to wear these? That remains to be seen when they become available this fall. For one thing, they’re quite large and look fairly heavy. They’re also impossible to ignore. Early adopters would have to be willing to withstand a lot of weird looks in public at a time when mask wearing has become politicized and equated to being silenced (at least in the United States). But it’s also possible that all the mask wearing of the last few years will actually reduce some resistance to a product like this, and personal air filtration will become the norm. Call us crazy, but we kind of wish we could just cut down air pollution in general and skip the bulky wearables altogether.

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“We are living in sci-fi times,” will.i.am told the New York Times, adding that “[The pandemic] is straight out of a friggin’ movie, but we are wearing masks from yesterday’s movie. So, I wanted to make a mask to fit the era that we’re in.”

He also wanted to solve a functional issue. “What I saw out there in the world was people had loose-fitted masks, and they had earbuds,” he told USA Today. “When they got phone calls, they took the mask off and the earbuds fell on the floor, then the mask fell on the floor, and then the whole point was pointless because everything got dirty.”

The Xupermask (pronounced “supermask”) is a collaboration between the musician and Fortune 100 company Honeywell, a business that already knows plenty about personal protective gear and air purifiers.

“When we were confronted with this idea of partnering with a world-renowned innovator to solve a very specific consumer problem around having a great performing and fashionable mask that you could use for the whole day, it was just an obvious fit,” says John Waldron, president and CEO of Safety and Product Solutions at Honeywell.

The Xupermask features dual three-speed ventilation fans and HEPA filters that can be replaced every 30 days. Made from silicone and athletic mesh fabric, it creates a seal around the face that keeps glasses from fogging and fits most sizes. The embedded noise-cancelling earbuds connect to devices via 5.0 Bluetooth and are designed to magnetically dock at the sides of the mask when not in use. The LED day glow lights, earphones, and microphone have a seven-hour battery life, but the components can also be charged while you wear them.

In true will.i.am fashion, the face covering was made to give the wearer that sleek “boom, boom, pow” look. In an interview with Complex, the rapper explained, “if you’re designing masks to inspire and encourage sneaker culture, a fabric mask is a flip-flop and this is a Jordan 3.”

He worked with Hollywood costume designer Jose Fernandez to create a covering that resembled a space-age, dystopian gas mask – the type of thing you might expect to see on the Black Eyed Pea’s next album cover. Fernandez is well-known for his work on iconic superhero costumes for movies like Batman and Spider-Man, as well as the spacesuits he created for Elon Musk’s Falcon 9 crew.

“Most of the things you wear feel very clinical, medicinal,” Fernandez said in an interview with CNET. “This one I think has that cool factor.”

will.i.am’s high-tech COVID-19 shield is not the first of its kind. Gaming company Razer is making a transparent, LED-lighted face covering that uses audio-processing algorithms to make your voice sound clear on the outside, and LG has announced a mask with battery-powered, built-in air purifiers. The Xupermask is the first to be on the market, though.

However, with a price tag of $299, excited fans may be asking “where is the love?” But apparently consumers are ready to “get it started,” as both mask styles sold out quickly on their April 8th release date.

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Oprah fans will never forget the halcyon days when the talk show host sprung her annual “Oprah’s Favorite Things” segment on her studio audience, giving them items from that year’s list for free. While the segment traditionally aired during Thanksgiving week, it was always filmed in advance, and producers never announced when the special episode would be taped. Lucky audience members won everything from luxury leather handbags and fancy cooking gadgets from Williams-Sonoma to brand new Volkswagen Beetles.

While The Oprah Winfrey Show stopped filming in 2011, Oprah still creates an annual gift inspiration list, either on her television network O.W.N., through Oprah Magazine, or on her website. Released in early November, Oprah’s Favorite Things 2019 features items split into the following categories: “beauty gifts,” “cozy gifts,” “foodie finds,” “online exclusives,” “stylish gifts,” “tech gadgets,” “for the kitchen,” “for the family” and “for the pets.”

Of course, it’s the tech here that’s really drawing attention, especially since Oprah has historically shied away from having too many gadgets on her list in any given year. Oprah’s picks for 2019 include a few interesting standouts:

The Apple Watch Series 5

As Oprah points out, a primary reason to invest in the latest $799 Apple Watch is to take advantage of its health-tracking features.

Beats Powerbeats Pro

These $250 high-performance wireless earbuds are sweatproof, waterproof, fit more securely than Apple’s Airpods, and get nine hours of play time per charge.

Echo Dot Kids Edition

The kid-friendly version of Amazon’s Echo Dot aims to get the next generation hooked on its Alexa virtual assistant early. It comes in a new limited edition rainbow pattern and costs $80.

Sony XB12 Extra Bass Portable Bluetooth Speaker

These lightweight $60 waterproof speakers offer “deep, punchy sound” and a battery life of up to 16 hours.

Flywheel Home Bike with Built-In Tablet

Why go to spin classes when you can get the same workout at home with this $1,999 tech-integrated stationary bike, which allows you to stream classes right to a built-in tablet?

De’Longhi Dynamica Fully Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine

While this one’s technically in the “kitchen” section of Oprah’s list, it still qualifies. The $899.99 machine lets you brew hot or iced coffee in seconds that’s said to be comparable to what you get at your favorite coffee shop.

“You know it’s Favorite Things time when the O team starts taste-testing — among many other treats —chocolate babka, tomato pie, gravlax, peanut butter cups, salami, caramels, and truffle mustard,” Oprah writes on the Oprah Magazine website. “Did I mention that was all in one sitting? I’m pleased to report we survived to touch, try on, sniff, fall in love with, and narrow down a vast array of goodies until we were left with what I believe are the perfect presents of 2019. Ahead, you’ll find 79 gifts, plus an online exclusive, I think are just great — from a makeup kit by Lady Gaga to the perfect pancake maker to the softest hoodie you’ll ever wear.”

Winfrey adds: “The holidays, of course, aren’t all about what’s wrapped in a bow, but also, the gift of time. Personally, I delight in Christmas Day, when we do a brunch buffet of everything from fresh blueberry muffins to shakshuka, which is sort of like huevos rancheros with a Tunisian passport. Our gathering is mellow and fun and exactly how I want to wind down the year. This holiday season, I wish you excellent health, genuine happiness, and joyful days.”

The post Standout Tech Gadgets on Oprah’s “Favorite Things 2019” List first appeared on Dornob.

Appropriately named “FocusBuds,” these earbuds actually study your brain and work with your natural biorhythms to improve your focus and productivity. This process, known as EEG Neurofeedback, isn’t new. In fact, it’s been around for decades now, helping NASA astronauts, athletes, and corporate CEOs perform their best. But FocusBuds is still the first product to bring this technology to the average consumer.

Here’s how it works. The user wears the brain-scanning product like a pair of regular earbuds. When turned on, EEG biosensors scan the activity of your brain, gathering and calculating data along the way. With this information, the program is able to evaluate your focus levels based on 400 unique metrics. In the end, this means it knows when you work best, how long you can maintain focus, and during which activities you are most distractible. FocusBuds uses this data to then provide you with audio cues that redirect you when you become distracted, keeping you on track and improving efficiency.

The inspiration for FocusBuds came when Sahin Ozsoy, co-founder of Potential X, ran across data showing that the average person reportedly takes 23 minutes to focus, but is interrupted roughly every 11 minutes. Feeling this lack of focus himself when working in public places, he decided to use his background in EEG and signal processing to come up with a solution.

Ozsoy and his team have since found that EEG Neurofeedback increases the brain’s ability to get into a flow or highly focused state quickly, even when the earbuds are removed later on. Essentially, the device teaches the brain to remain focused even when surrounded by potential distractions.

In addition to providing instant feedback regarding your level of focus, FocusBuds also monitors your activity for a bigger overall picture of your concentration prowess, and will provide reports with information showing peak focus periods and top distractions. This allows you to avoid certain environments and inefficient habits. With this information at your disposal, you can reorganize your schedule to complete difficult tasks during your most natural productive times and rest during unfocused times.

FocusBuds are much more than a mind trainer. They also offer a superior earbud product with a proprietary noise-isolation sound seal technology that blocks out highly distracting noises while providing a low-level background murmur. Think of it as white noise rather than complete silence. Of course, if you prefer to listen to music, FocusBuds not only provides premium audio, but the EEG Neurofeedback actually tracks what type of music makes you most productive. There’s also an embedded microphone for one-touch call connect, and Bluetooth 5.0 so you can wirelessly connect to all your devices.

FocusBuds are currently trending on Indiegogo, with a campaign that was fully funded within the first hour of being launched. Now nearly 1000 percent funded, the campaign ends the last week of November, with shipments of the final product set for Spring 2020.

The post Smart Earbuds Train Your Brain to Stay Focused first appeared on Dornob.

Some sounds are so good, they make you want to do more than just hear them — you need to feel them. Unfortunately, the closest we’ve been able to come to that absorptive zen experience so far is to back up into the giant bass speakers at a concert and let the deep vibrations flow through your body. But thanks to a new invention from the innovators over at Woojer, you’ll soon be able to transcend the barriers of normal hearing and actually feel the audio of music, video games, TV shows, and movies pulsing through your body from head to toe.

What is Woojer Edge?

The Woojer team utilized haptic technology to create Woojer Edge. Simply put, haptic means relating to the sense of touch. It’s also called kinesthetic communication, in which your tactile perception is triggered by mid-air vibrations, emulating the impression of contact without physically touching anything. The Woojer Edge lets you go beyond the barriers of mere sound and physically sense the sounds as they vibrate through your body, increasing in intensity until you feel totally immersed and transported to a level of euphoria never before possible.

A gadget called the Oscillating Frame precisely replicates frequencies up to 500Hz, including subsonic frequencies typically not audible to the human ear between 1 and 20Hz, as bodily vibrations. Sounds implausible, if not impossible, but the company assures us: “The frictionless motion guarantees precise harmonic reproduction and reduces distortion. It’s the perfect combination of tactile sensation, size, weight, and power consumption.”

Vibration Options

To make sure you can enjoy their technology everywhere you go, Woojer offers two Edge options. Both versions utilize a Texas Instruments built-in analog headphone amplifier and CSR APTX low-latency Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.

Designed for active people who find themselves in several different locations throughout each day, the Strap Edge easily fits around your chest, crosswise across your upper body, or around your waist. It can also be worn underneath clothes, so you can keep your sonic experience private if you choose.

For more of a full-body experience, the Vest Edge covers your entire torso, immersing half your body in 360 degrees of perfect, comprehensive sensations sure to make your pulse pound. Intended for die-hard home gaming and VR fans, Woojer says the Vest Edge has “…out-of-the-box stereo haptics… If you’re a music pro, this’ll pump the low-frequencies through your body as it engages you in a unique and mesmerizing audio experience.”

An Overwhelming Vote Of Confidence

Woojer’s enthusiasm for the Woojer Edge has never waned, but the company does admit they initially didn’t know how the product would be received by the public. When they launched the Edge on Kickstarter with the goal of raising $20,050, however, they were overcome with support. When the campaign still had a full week left before ending, nearly 10,000 supporters had pledged around $1.1 million to help get their vision to market. This massive show of confidence by contributors around the world means Woojer Edge could be available for purchase a lot sooner than we think. Be sure to check back for updates!

The post Good Vibrations: Woojer Edge Makes Sound a Multisensory Experience first appeared on Dornob.

The newfound convenience of wearable technology means you can access your emails and messages straight from your watch or glasses, as well as manage your calendar and track your biometrics. The Google Glass tried to tap into the smartglasses market a number of years ago, but it never really took off — perhaps due in part to its aesthetic, perhaps due to its functionality. Now there’s a new pair of glasses on the market that not only looks amazing, but also performs a number of tasks that will please any discerning audiophile.

Audiovisual giant Bose has released two pairs of Bose Frames in hopes of revolutionizing sound and vision. These stylish sunglasses, which are available in two classic shapes (square and round), have been designed to combine protective wearability and high-definition audio reproduction. The glasses bring the latter component to the table via a built-in audio system in its arms, which itself is still small enough to keep their total weight at just 45 grams. The system works like pair of wireless headphones, transmitting sound over the ear as opposed to into it while simultaneously performing some functions of a cell phone, allowing users to make and receive calls, stream music, and easily access information.

Along with this subtle audio immersion, wearers can also speak into a tiny microphone located in the right temple of the glasses. This mic allows them to command Siri and Google Assistant with ease. It also allows the glasses to be voice-controlled, through which the wearer can order the stopping, playing, and skipping of songs without having to use their hands.

Not only do the Bose Frames offer consumers the most up-to-date audio technology, but they also boast a timeless design that provides an unparalleled level of visual protection. The glasses are designed with tinted lenses that keep up to 99 percent of UV rays away from the eyes, while their hinges give off a flash of glamour with their elegant gold plating. The edges of the frames have been shaped to create a smooth silhouette and bear a soft matte finish.

As if all that wasn’t enough, the glasses are also connected to Bose AR, the company’s exclusive augmented reality platform. GPS tracks your movements and location to help you feel totally immersed in the soundtrack of your life. The frames are charged using a plug-in lithium battery, which runs for around three-and-a-half hours and takes about two to fully charge. Unfortunately, prospective wearers will have to wait until after Christmas to purchase these amazing sunglasses, as they won’t be available to buy until February 2019 — but they are already available for pre-order.

The post Bose Frames: The Ultimate Intersection of Fashion and Technology first appeared on Dornob.

Cue the xFyro xS2 wireless earbuds, which are both waterproof and snug-fitting. The company says you can use them in the rain and in the shower, allowing you to take your music anywhere. And of course, there won’t be any problems when you’re exercising, playing sports, or working up a sweat in general.

The xS2 is being billed as the world’s first fully waterproof earbud set, and since it’s so well sealed, it should stay relatively dust free over time, too.

The Bluetooth chip inside the earbuds lets you connect from up to 33 feet away from the source. The company has incorporated AAC audio into the design for a great listening experience that offers “an incredibly balanced sound, crisp and crystal-clear. Gone are the days when bass and treble overpowered your music.”

Like any good set of headphones, the xFyros take full advantage of noise suppression and isolation technologies, leaving you free to follow your podcast or soak in your meditation app’s soothing background music. These features also make it easier to answer phone calls and concentrate on your conversations when there’s outside chatter and chaos around. The xS2’s integrated microphone makes hands-free chatting even more of a breeze.

The earbuds also have touch controls on them, so you can adjust the volume and pause/play your music without any fuss. When you’re using them with your phone, you can accept a call with just a single tap of what’s designated as your “primary” earbud. You end your call the same way, and if you need to call back, all you’ll have to do is double click to redial.

If you want to contact your virtual assistant, fear not: the xFyros earbuds are compatible with both Apple and Android operating systems, and they can connect to both Siri and Google Home.

You may be wondering how you power up the earbuds. Each set comes with its own high-speed charging case, and as soon as you put it inside, it automatically starts charging. The earbuds run on a lithium polymer battery that gives you up to five hours of continuous audio on a full charge — perfect for a long flight or road trip. If you need a quick boost, you’ll find that a 30-minute charge will buy you an extra three hours (it takes two hours to fully charge the earbuds, though).

We also love the fact that you can use the charging case as a power bank and charge your phone via a built-in USB port if you run out of juice while you’re out and about. The charging case itself can give you enough power to play music for 20 to 30 hours before it has to be recharged.

As if all of these features weren’t enough, it has to be said that these waterproof wireless earbuds look great, too. They’re made from premium aluminum, adorned with a classy brushed finish, and designed for extreme durability.

The post xFyro: The World’s First Wireless Waterproof Earbuds first appeared on Dornob.

Ear It Today, Read It Tomorrow

A self-proclaimed romantic, Campbell has taken the time to discreetly inscribe his signature saying, “The smartest things I ever did were stupid things for love,” on the inside of each individual ear pad in the headset collection. When juxtaposed with the image of a writhing snake, this heartfelt maxim assumes a new level of depth and intrigue. Of course, Campbell and Master & Dynamic’s founder and CEO Jonathan Levine interpret the phrase differently.

The Global Analysis

Levine, whose company has collaborated with many artists including Proenza Schouler, The Rolling Stones, and Leica Camera AG, was instantly drawn to the saying, which he quickly construed as a tribute to unbridled enthusiasm and the willingness to take risks and transform dreams into realities. “I have always thought Scott’s work was quite genius,” Levine told the press. “When I met Scott in Hong Kong, I learned we shared a willingness to take risks in pursuit of our dreams, even if it means sometimes making mistakes. Through this collaboration, Scott can share his art more broadly with his fans, whether or not they are collectors of his fine art or tattoo enthusiasts.”

The Romantic Reading

Campbell understands Levine’s take on the phrase, but he has a more romantic interpretation of the words. “I love love, and I believe in making love the utmost priority, and absolutely the smartest things I’ve ever done in my life were stupid things for love,” he explains. “Any time I have told the rational side of me to take the backseat and handed the steering wheel to my instincts and passions, they’ve always steered me in the right direction.”

When he’s not wrapped up in romance, Campbell lives in L.A. and runs Saved Tattoo in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The Louisiana native is also renowned for his contributions to the world of fine art, including elaborately carved sculptures made of U.S. currency, graphite drawings. and a series of watercolor paintings made during a six-week stint in a Mexico City prison. Campbell’s list of patrons is made up of influential art and design leaders, fashion designers, and a staggering number of celebrities.

Conscientious Collaboration

Partnering with artists to promote products is always a carefully thought-out process for Levine. He told Forbes magazine: “Our collaborations are all based on common passions and like-mindedness. Our criteria for collaborating is quite simple: 1. Can we create something truly special, meaning that the collaborative outcome has to go far beyond slapping one logo on another’s product. The outcome needs to show the joint effort and reflect what each collaborator is known for in their own craft. 2. Can we have fun, meaning can we push each other, challenge each other to create something unexpected whether it be the product, content related to the collaboration, or both. With each collaboration, we learn and we grow as a company and brand.”

The post Head Trip: Stirring, Winding Snake Headphones Combine Quality & Clarity first appeared on Dornob.

When you don’t want to block out sound completely but would like to turn things down a notch, grab a pair of Knops. These devices have been equipped with four different “steps” (settings), so you can adjust them to reduce volume and filter out unwanted noise as you please. The company recommends step 3 for live music and step 4 when you want peace and quiet for work or study — or you just need some quality “me time.”
“Besides being a volume button, Knops also protects your ears from harmful sounds,” team Knops says. “By simply lowering the volume level, you can enjoy perfect-quality sounds without the risk of ruining your hearing.”

SwimEars

Love swimming but hate the gurgling and sloshing (and swimmer’s ear) you experience when water gets in your ears? SwimEars earplugs are here to help. You can adjust their fit to create a seal and ensure maximum comfort, and they even come with a leash so you don’t leave them in the pool by mistake.
Our favorite thing about SwimEars? As the company slogan says, they “let sound in, keep water out.” You’ll still be able hear shouts before you collide with another swimmer and take instructions from your swim coach.

Dot: World’s Smallest Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

Dot is a tiny wireless Bluetooth headset, which also comes with a built-in noise-cancelling microphone and a case for carrying and charging. Free from pesky wires, you can listen to music or make phone calls no matter where you are. One charge gives you enough juice for three hours of chatting and singing along to your favorite tunes.

QuietOn Active Noise-Cancelling Earplugs

These earplugs block out the annoying sounds you don’t want to hear (think airplane engine rumbles and thundering highway traffic) and allow you to zone out, sleep soundly, and just not go crazy. The company says that children who have difficulty concentrating find the QuietOn earplugs extremely helpful, as do people who have noise sensitivity disorders.
The QuietOn earplugs are a step ahead of traditional earplugs because they reduce low-frequency sounds and have noise-cancelling ability up to 40 dB, according to their inventors. And if you feel embarrassed wearing earplugs to a music concert or other event, no worries — these earplugs are ultra-discreet.

MyAudioSession

It’s often difficult to pinpoint something that isn’t there. How do you know what’s missing? MyAudioSession is a clever set of wireless headphones whose accompanying smartphone app gauges your hearing at various frequencies and creates an enhanced audio profile that fills in any hearing gaps you may have. Some more good news: once you’ve used the app to create your profile, the results will be saved in the headphones forever, so you’ll never have to repeat the process.

Happy listeners have reported on the company website that they can hear a crisper distinction between vocals and instruments when they listen with their MyAudioSession headphones and that they notice details in their favorite tracks that they didn’t realize they had been missing.
The company has already reached its crowdfunding goal and says it will begin shipping the headphones next month.

The post 5 Cool Ear Gadgets first appeared on Dornob.

This new earbud can be viewed as an instrument in and of itself and is far more than just something with which to listen to music. Its designers say, “an instrument is designed, shaped, and built to produce a particular output. We took the same concept and applied it to the earbud, making 360 an instrument for listening.” The key to the 360 Earbuds’ success is a specially-designed cavity that fits in between the standard front and back cavities found in regular headphones. This middle layer uses a special acoustic resin that reduces sound reflection and refraction and increases sound containment by minimizing internal transmissions, so you can be sure no extra noise will be produced within the earbud that could negatively affect quality.

The cavity has also been paired with specialized speakers and a unique diaphragm to divide frequencies into five ranges, creating the 3-D virtual 5.1 surround sound that the earbuds were made to produce. This breaking down of sound creates unparalleled fidelity, giving you a sustained listening experience that no other earbud can match. With a frequency range of eight hertz to 20 kilohertz, the 360 Earbuds also allow you to appreciate lower frequencies, which are often lost in other headphones.

One of the 360 Earbuds’ other defining features is their incorporation of technologies used in binaural recording, a method that employs two microphones to create 3-D sound (and something not commonly seen in headphones). This allows the sound to be reproduced through the phones as it was originally recorded, contributing to the unique listening experience that is only available through the 360 Earbuds. The headphones also boast contemporary aspects you would expect from digital earbuds, such as an in-line microphone and control button, which allow you to take calls and adjust the volume directly from the headphone cable.

The 360 Earbuds will even revolutionize the way you listen to sports, making you feel like you are actually there in the crowd. Music lovers will feel like they’re in the recording studio with the artists themselves and experience songs the way they were intended to be heard. Movies will be more epic and dramatic than ever before thanks to the earbuds’ immersive nature. Be sure to check out the 360’s Kickstarter page to donate to this innovative piece of audio technology.

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Finding the right pair of earphones can be such a headache, literally. Headphones are notoriously uncomfortable, presenting a constant ergonomic challenge for industrial designers to overcome. In-ear, over-ear, wrap-around, clip-on, the list is endless. However, Australian gadget gurus Dog & Bone have tackled the issue head-on and released a new addition to their range of smart accessories for mobile devices: Bluetooth custom earbuds. The product was launched at this year’s CES electronics and technology trade show in Las Vegas, which took place between January 5 and 8 2017.

Aptly named “Earmade,” these wireless headphones mold to the user’s ear by using a heated dock, personalizing them for maximum comfort. They are attached by a USB cable to the dock, which softens the moldable component of the earbud over the course of two minutes, allowing it to nestle easily into the user’s ear and then quickly set to a proper shape. Maria Ranchod, co-founder of Dog & Bone, says, “Designing comfortable earbuds that fit each and every consumer can be a difficult feat, but we’ve succeeded by utilizing a heating dock that makes for a safe and streamlined process that is so simple, my 8 year old could create earbuds on her own. By custom molding the earbuds, we achieve the exact fit, allowing us to deliver premium sound isolation.”

These audio pieces are the latest in the trend of wearable tech, which was high on the list at the CES consumer conference. Smart watches, rings and even dog collars were debuted at the trade exhibition, and Bluetooth is becoming ever more present in the audio market.

Headphones utilizing this wireless technology are continuing to grow in popularity due to the freedom of movement they give to the user and, particularly in this case, because of their stylish design. Earmade offers a neat alternative to bulky, over-ear headphones which can be difficult to store while you’re on the go and are often prone to damage. They will be available in black, orange, and white, and the inserts can be removed and replaced so your earbuds will continue to last even after heavy usage. Dog & Bone have also designed them specifically to be both water- and sweat-resistant, making them ideal for use outdoors or while doing exercise. The earbuds slip comfortably over the user’s ears and are attached around the back of the neck with a waterproof cable.

On top everything else, they are powered by an 80mAh battery that lasts for up to six hours and is easily recharged using a micro USB. There’s no need to worry about whether they will be cumbersome to use with your specific phone either. Earmade is X5 rated, compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and control operated to play, pause or answer a call while in use. The box set includes the earbuds with the remote, two sets of moldable inserts, a micro USB for USB ports, the heating dock, and a soft carrying case and will retail for $159.99.

Earmade are patent-pending, but the product’s pioneering customizable technology eschews the “one-size-fits-all” solution, and coupled with Bluetooth, could be a definitive answer to the headphone headaches of the past

The post Dog and Bone Earbuds Customize Comfort first appeared on Dornob.

We may have wireless (almost) everything these days, but still-wired ear buds are about as portable as most personal audio equipment gets – which brings us to the ever-present problem for pro, amateur and audiophile alike: tangled headphone cords that lead to loose wiring at best and entirely broken audio connections at worst. Who wants to spend inordinate amounts of time untangling all the knots in their delicate headphone cords before each and every use?

To combat this classic design dilemma, designer Ji Woong has posed and simplest of solutions: zip-up headphones where the two individual strands of wire (leading up to the left and right earbud) become one with a singular zipper action. Compared to bulky over-ear answers to the same engineering question, this is as mobile as it gets.

As an added bonus, the zip-action piece doubles as volume control and status hold so you can adjust your audio settings then lock them in place while jogging, biking or otherwise on the go. Add some noise canceling, a slick black version and this might be the most style-savvy as well as function set of in-ear headphones ever designed.

Honestly, why aren’t all earbuds designed this way already?

From Yanko Design:

“Your trouser fly just influenced my friend Ji. Quit smirking, coz his YI earphones concept will take care of a lot of wire-tangle-hassles in the future, if it ever gets to production. Simple thought process and application! If pants can have a zipper to hold in the essentials then why the idea can’t be used on earphones to manage them when not in use! Zip then open when you want to use them; zip them shut when you want to store them. Did I mention that it even features a volume control button? No? Oh…ok…now you know, so happy Zipppiiinnnggg!”

The post 100% Tangle-Free, Sport-Zip Earbuds first appeared on Dornob.

The Beagle is a curious piece of clothing that combines elements of a scarf and hood with pockets, designed to provide a mixture of soothing sensory experiences to autistic children – shielding them in part from the changing sounds and smells of their surroundings. It features both built-in speakers and pockets so kids can comfort themselves, hide, observe and fidget, which are common “stimulating” behaviors carried out by autistic people.

“I wanted to make this medical product like a toy. This garment was co-created with families of autistic children. Interactions like pulling a hod over and keeping hands in the pockets are based on the gestures they do encountering discomforts, empowering themselves to use the product.

While this design has a very noble and pragmatic purpose, it is also a compelling piece of clothing that even ordinary wearers could get into. After all, it has handy pockets, audio capabilities and can be worn in a variety of ways for different outside weather conditions. Customizable controls set conveniently into the side allow the user to change their sensory experience at the touch of a button.

Via Yanko Design:

“Blockbuster Hollywood movies can bring on the spotlight to lesser know disease and medical conditions. For example, After Rain Man we all knew what Autism was. That story told us how autistic people suffer from impaired social interaction and communication. In children the condition is heightened with sensory disorders and even minor noises can disturb them. A recent research suggests that stimulants like music, aromatherapy, and textured toys can help alleviate the condition. This where something like the Beagle scarf-hoodie can help.”

“This scarf includes speakers in the hood making it the perfect soothing wrap, around the child’s ears. Furthermore, customized aroma patches along with textured inner pockets can be integrated to the scarf. Coping with as autistic child can be trying at times and if something like the Beagle can bring the child some relief, then so be it.”

The post The Beagle: Scarf with Built-In Speakers Comforts Autistic Children first appeared on Dornob.