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Amazon’s smart noise-cancellation switch could literally be a lifesaver

By Bruce Brown August 1, 2016

iheartmedia launches two new streaming services 28159403 businessman relaxing on train listening to music — stockbroker / 123RF Stock Photo

There’s no product or even a product announcement yet, but a new Amazon patent that intelligently suspends noise cancellation could be a lifesaver.

Noise-canceling headphones can be a blessing when you want relief from a noise-laden background. The steady cacophony of trains, planes, and automobiles can be tiresome, especially if you’re trying to rest or concentrate. There are times, though, when this can put you in danger because, along with all that unwanted noise, warning sounds are also blocked. A recently published patent awarded to Amazon Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon.com, describes technology to suspend noise cancellation when specified sounds are detected, as reported by International Business Times.

Titled “Suspending Noise Cancellation Using Keyword Spotting,” the patent describes several ways in which the technology could be implemented. One common scenario could be the use of a person’s name. Noise-canceling headphones with keyword spotting technology, for example, could temporarily suspend or shut off noise suppression when someone calls your name. Other applications could be based on the sounds of bells or alarms, train station announcements, or a ringing phone or doorbell. You could also potentially program the device to hear someone say, “Excuse me” when trying to get your attention.

The patent also refers to the ability of the device to learn, or “refine,” noise-cancellation suspension based on interactions and actions that happen after the switch-off. For example, if you immediately switched noise-cancellation back on after a device-activated suspension because the incoming keyword or audio signal wasn’t correctly recognized, in theory, the system could learn from the mistake. Sirens and other audible alarms could be used to trigger the “off” switch as well as non-audio signals received from peripheral devices.

As the International Business Times mentioned, just because a company is awarded a patent doesn’t mean it’s going to produce a product that uses it. This technology, however, does have an interesting business case to offer by adding a much-needed level of protection to noise-cancellation devices.

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Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…

Audio / Video

Amazon adds spatial audio to the Echo Studio smart speaker

Amazon Echo Studio.

Along with all of the new devices and services that Amazon announced at its September 28 event, the company said that its Echo Studio smart speaker will be getting an update with new spatial audio processing technology and frequency range extension. The update will initially hit the Echo Studio and Echo Show 15, but it will roll out to other compatible Echo devices in the future.

If you're scratching your head because the Echo Studio already supports Dolby Atmos and Sony's 360 Reality Audio (360RA) formats -- which are both technically under the spatial audio umbrella term -- here's what Amazon says is new with the update:
Our custom-built spatial audio processing technology is designed to enhance stereo sound, making music and movie soundtracks feel closer to the listener with greater width, clarity, and presence. It mirrors the performance of a hi-fi stereo system, so vocal performances are more present in the center, while the stereo-panned instruments are better defined on the side, creating a more immersive sound experience that reproduces the artist's intent. Additionally, frequency range extension technology delivers better performance, improved midrange clarity, and deeper bass.
Amazon has a full explainer for the new technology on its dedicated Amazon Science site, which provides more insight into what's going on, but be warned, it's very scientific and heavy on jargon. Not exactly light reading.

Audio / Video

Bose shrinks the size and ups the performance of its noise-canceling earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II in Triple Black.

Bose has revealed the newest version of its flagship noise-canceling wireless earbuds, the QuietComfort Earbuds II. They're significantly smaller than their predecessors and feature a new algorithm that constantly adjusts to your individual hearing profile, as well as your surroundings. Bose says they provide the best ANC performance of any headphone, whether in earbud or headset formats.

The QuietComfort Earbuds II are a bit more expensive than the first version -- $299 versus $279 -- and almost $50 more than Apple's second-gen AirPods Pro wireless earbuds, which were announced on the same day and offer very similar features. You can pre-order the QuietComfort Earbuds II starting September 7 on Bose.com in Triple Black. They will begin shipping on September 15 and a Soapstone color is expected to be available later in 2022.

Audio / Video

Sony’s new flagship headphones promise best-in-class noise canceling and calling

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in silver.

As expected, Sony has taken the wraps off the fifth generation of its flagship line of active noise cancellation (ANC) wireless headphones. The WH-1000XM5 have been priced at $400 -- $50 more than their predecessors, the WH-1000XM4 -- and they sport a new, lighter-weight design, dual noise-canceling processors, eight microphones, and hi-res audio capability. The XM5 can be pre-ordered starting May 12 in both black and silver (a sort of sand color), and general retail availability begins May 20.

Sony plans to keep selling the older XM4 model alongside the new XM5, at least for the foreseeable future. The biggest change to Sony's design for the WH-1000 series is a move away from the traditional flat-headband plus earcup forks design to an integrated approach. The headband sliders are now tubular and connect to a hidden pivot inside the tops of the earcups, creating a similar profile to both the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and the Apple AirPods Max. The new design means that, unlike the XM4, which can fold flat, then fold again to take up less room, the WH-1000XM5 can only fold flat.