(Mis)Uses of Technology

(Mis)Uses of Technology

by Mike Masnick




Can You Turn Your Head Into Speakers?

from the fun-for-the-whole-family dept

Roland Piquepaille writes "This is not a joke. You can do it today, according to this article from Fortune, "Metal Heads." It states that 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 on my blog 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. "

2 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
 

Reader Comments

(Flattened / Threaded)

    Nov 3rd, 2003 @ 2:33am
  • Sonic weapons?

    by dorpus

    Is there a way to make extremely concentrated sound waves from speakers with this material, so people blow up like water balloons? Make bridges fall down, jet engine fan blades disintegrate, make women have spontaneous abortions.


    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Nov 3rd, 2003 @ 6:22am
    • Soundbug: Toy, Ripoff, or Something else?

      by Saygin(?)

      Could someone comment on the relationship and origin of the Soundbug (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1879247.stm)? The Fortune article mentions the Soundbug as a "toy" in passing. That's interesting enough in itself, but I'm intrigued by the comments about the Soundbug being "developed" in the U.K. Anyone have any thoughts?

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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