iPod headband uses bone conduction

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Thanko, a Japanese company, has come up with a unique way of listening to your favorite music without putting anything into your ears. How is this done? Its done by using the VONIA headband, and "bone conduction" tecnology. The vibrations of the music or sounds are absorbed by the bones of your jaw and skull, which in turn are resonnate your auditory canals, and you are able to hear it just as clearly as if you were wearing earphones.

Its a simple concept really. Any one who plays the guitar will tell you that they can tune their instrument by holding their chin onto the body of the guitar while they pluck the strings. And when you do so the sound resonates loudly and clearly in your head.

Now I would think that some people that wear headphones do so because they want to shut out the outside world all together, but I am also certain that there are a lot people out there -- such as joggers, cyclists, dog-walkers, or rollerbladers, who would like to be able to hear their music or favorite radio show and still be able to clearly hear what is going on around them.

The VONIA headband features a small pocket in the front that will hold an iPod Shuffle, or similar small MP3 player, for total hands-free operation.

Watch out for the release of the Vonia iPod Headband. Its going on the market in Japan soon for a price of around $85, and should also be available in the U.S. before long.