I read with much interest a note from Graeme Harrison, Vice President and General Manager of Bluesound Professional, about what 2021 will represent for integrators in Retail and Hospitality. It is clear that those markets will struggle to control the actual circumstances, and how much business will be allowed to take place, but Harrison highlighted a few interesting trends he expects to see in 2021, starting with building great (not just better) experiences than what we previously had, and betting on sustainable business models. He is right on those points.

I think the same applies for consumer product strategies and how we relate to a brand. For 2021, we will all be more focused on what we can actually do, use, and enjoy, and what will improve our lives. Not based on just regular technology innovation and interests, but essential trends. An actual example: How many of us will prioritize lighter, thinner, and smaller vs. safer, easier, or secure?

As I noticed from pre-CES 2021 announcements, manufacturers are focusing on "everything for remote work," “innovations in health care,” and "enhanced reality” as a new trend for home entertainment - because online Augmented Reality is so cool at home!

Manufacturers are finding that consumers are willing to invest in things they would normally enjoy while out of the home, and experiences they are now limited to enjoy at home. From better coffee makers, and appliances in general, all the way to investing in better lighting, or even improved speakers and headphones. For those who can afford it, obviously. For a lot of people, unfortunately, 2021 means buying the essential technology needed to just keep working, learning, and staying warm.

In the recent report about Microphones that I wrote for audioXpress February 2021 (out next week), I selected a few notable examples of professional microphones that are better simply because they can be remotely controlled wirelessly (entering a voice booth to adjust the microphone pad is not a good idea these days), or simply because they allow better results during Zoom sessions - even by users who have no idea how a microphone works, but dream of sounding like James Earl Jones. And suddenly, washable, far-field microphone arrays packaged inside classic microphone shapes are an idea with much potential!

Obviously, as high-quality cameras and microphones have become essential technology items at home, we will all be looking for faster network access and better collaboration software for use at home. On this later topic, neither Teams nor Slack will ever appeal to regular consumers... but many gaming chat software companies actually get it right, because they don't think of collaboration as work. And I definitely think that Wetransfer is onto something with Paste.

In terms of recent breakthrough audio technology concepts, like noise-canceling headphones or voice interfaces, 2021 will be the year for companies to worry more about fine tuning the features that are actually working for consumers. Since we don't worry so much about the noise during flights, we all would like to see more of those enhanced audio features, like being absorbed in music and being able to hear someone calling our name, or being able to call other headphones as an intercom. And we definitely would like to hear more from our voice assistants. Like looking up a word or expression, and having the result read to us, instead of appear as a pop-up menu or jumping to a webpage. Forget about asking questions to Alexa or Siri, we all would like to hear more voice whisperings in our ears when we need reassurance and motivation - even if just to remind us to stand up and stretch our legs.

Less pressure from product cycles and trade shows will also mean there's more time for the industry to focus on the core technologies. Like accomplishing the promises of voice interfaces - particularly in the languages that are missing out compared to English and Chinese. While people stay at home, the industry gains time to make it work better. Hope they use the time next year. We don't need to talk to the TV, but we all can use more accurate (and affordable) voice-to-text transcription tools right now.

And of course, in health and safety, we are all eager to have UV sanitizers for our headphones and wearables that actually warn us when the cleaning cycle is over, and maybe a color-changing sensor that would tell us when a surface has just been sanitized and is safe to touch. Washable, virus-proof smartphone covers are now a must, and finally all those countless i-accessories and screen protection companies have a reason to exist…

Wishing Everyone a Healthy, Happy New Year!

audioXpress | Voice Coil | LIS 

audioXpress features great articles, projects, tips, and techniques for the best in quality audio. It connects manufacturers and distributors with audio engineers and enthusiasts eager for innovative solutions in sound, acoustic, and electronics.

Voice Coil, the periodical for the loudspeaker industry, delivers product reviews, company profiles, industry news, and design tips straight to professional audio engineers and manufacturers who have the authority to make powerful purchasing decisions.

The Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook is the most comprehensive collection of listings on loudspeaker material in the industry. Purchasers and decision makers refer to the guide for an entire year when making selections on drivers, finished systems, adhesives, domes, crossovers, voice coils, and everything in between.