Here One

Last updated
Here One Wireless Smart Earbuds
Product In-the-box-BLACK.png
DeveloperDoppler Labs
Type Wireless earbuds
Release dateFebruary 21, 2017;5 years ago (2017-02-21)
Website hereplus.me

Here One is a pair of wireless smart earbuds developed and manufactured by Doppler Labs. [1] It allows users to filter sound, stream music, and amplify speech. It can also be used to take phone calls and filter certain sounds, such as background noise. [2] [3] Here One has been called the world's first in-ear computer and in June 2018 Here One was inducted into the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper Hewitt Museum of Design for innovation in audio technology. [4]

Contents

Background

Here One was built on the hardware and software foundation of its predecessor Here Active Listening, which was originally launched on Kickstarter, but Here One added streaming capability and allowed users to stream music and take phone calls in addition to the real-world sound control found in Here Active Listening. Doppler Labs showcased Here One to fans and performing artists through a collaborative integration at the 2016 Coachella Music Festival. [5] The products were offered to ticket holders so they could bring the earbuds to the festival in order to filter sound at Coachella. Doppler Labs also introduced custom filters for the Coachella stages, including Tiesto mode, designed by the DJ and producer, [6] so that wearers could enhance the music at each stage. Demos were also provided backstage to performing artists. [7]

On November 1, 2017 Doppler Labs announced that it was ceasing sales of Here One. [8]

Design

Hardware

Here One consists of two wireless earbuds, a charging case, and a connected smartphone app. Each earbud contains four integrated circuits, including a digital signal processor, three analogue mems microphones (which provide directional capabilities), and a high-fidelity balanced armature speaker. [9]

Here One Schematic Doppler Labs Here One Schematic Doppler Labs.jpg
Here One Schematic Doppler Labs

Software

Here One is powered by the Here One app, a free smartphone application. The Here One app is used to control the settings of Here One. It includes six preset audio filters which allow the users to filter the sounds of specific environments. The Here One app also includes a Live Mix section which includes effects and a live equalizer that lets users adjust specific audio frequencies and add effects like reverb and bass boost to the real-world sound entering their ears. [10]

Here One utilizes advanced machine learning algorithms for its Smart Suggest engine. This backend system uses POI data and environmental cues to tune the Here One buds to their surroundings and provide the best listening experience for the user. This "machine hearing" model was trained by over a million unique binaural samples that Doppler Labs audio engineers collected over the course of two years and is used to continuously improve the Here One software over time. [11] [12]

Here One also offers a Personal Listening Profile, a self-calibrated hearing test that helps the product adjust to the parameters of each individual's hearing needs and preferences. [13]

Here One has been called the world's first in-ear computer by publications including Fast Company for its ability to intelligently control audio and relay information back to the phone and to the cloud. [14] USA Today called Here One "wireless computers designed for the ear" and compared the earbuds to the innovations found in Oculus Rift. [15] The Next Web called Here One "the real future of AR", sharing how in-ear computing provides users the tools to manipulate and personalize audio environments in real-time. [16]

Here One was initially set to be released in November 2016. Doppler Labs delayed their release to February 2017 in order to ensure manufacturing consistency. [17]

Applications for hearing health

Here One allows users to amplify speech and hear better. These amplification features allow users with sound sensitivity to reduce overwhelming sound from the real-world, and focus on human voice in conversations, making it similar to a hearing aid.

Reception

Here One won the South by Southwest Best of Show Innovation Award and the Award for Innovation in Music at the 2016 SXSW festival.

David Pierce of Wired called the features "magic", praising the ability to control sound in real-time, and named the hands-on control a "superpower" and "one of the most thrilling gadgets". [18] Gizmodo praised comfort, but questioned the battery life. [19] Time magazine claimed Here One provides "supersonic hearing" and praised the nature of Here One's ability to selectively reduce frequency ranges. [20] Inc. discussed why the earbuds do much more than play audio. [21] Reviewing Here One as an augmented reality device, The Verge named the audio "the best you'll find on truly wireless Bluetooth earbuds" and was impressed by the hardware design, calling the sound manipulation technology "robust". [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Binaural recording</span> Method of recording sound

Binaural recording is a method of recording sound that uses two microphones, arranged with the intent to create a 3-D stereo sound sensation for the listener of actually being in the room with the performers or instruments. This effect is often created using a technique known as dummy head recording, wherein a mannequin head is fitted with a microphone in each ear. Binaural recording is intended for replay using headphones and will not translate properly over stereo speakers. This idea of a three-dimensional or "internal" form of sound has also translated into useful advancement of technology in many things such as stethoscopes creating "in-head" acoustics and IMAX movies being able to create a three-dimensional acoustic experience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Headphones</span> Device placed near the ears that plays sound

Headphones are a pair of small loudspeaker drivers worn on or around the head over a user's ears. They are electroacoustic transducers, which convert an electrical signal to a corresponding sound. Headphones let a single user listen to an audio source privately, in contrast to a loudspeaker, which emits sound into the open air for anyone nearby to hear. Headphones are also known as earspeakers, earphones or, colloquially, cans. Circumaural and supra-aural headphones use a band over the top of the head to hold the speakers in place. Another type, known as earbuds or earpieces consist of individual units that plug into the user's ear canal. A third type are bone conduction headphones, which typically wrap around the back of the head and rest in front of the ear canal, leaving the ear canal open. In the context of telecommunication, a headset is a combination of headphone and microphone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hearing aid</span> Electroacoustic device

A hearing aid is a device designed to improve hearing by making sound audible to a person with hearing loss. Hearing aids are classified as medical devices in most countries, and regulated by the respective regulations. Small audio amplifiers such as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) or other plain sound reinforcing systems cannot be sold as "hearing aids".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turtle Beach Corporation</span> Gaming accessory manufacturer

The Turtle Beach Corporation is a gaming accessory manufacturer based in San Diego, California. The company has roots dating back to the 1970s where it developed sound cards, MIDI synthesizers, and various audio software packages and network audio devices. The company began making gaming headsets in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Headset (audio)</span> Telephone or computer accessory

Headsets connect over a telephone or to a computer, allowing the user to speak and listen while keeping both hands free. They are commonly used in customer service and technical support centers, where employees can converse with customers while typing information into a computer. Also common among computer gamers are headsets, which will let them talk with each other and hear others, as well as use their keyboards and mice to play the game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AirPods</span> Wireless earbuds by Apple

AirPods are wireless Bluetooth earbuds designed by Apple Inc. They were first announced on September 7, 2016, alongside the iPhone 7. Within two years, they became Apple's most popular accessory. The most recent model, AirPods, are a replacement to the 1st and 2nd Generation models, although the 2nd Generation is still sold on Apple's website. These models are Apple's entry-level wireless headphones, sold alongside the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple headphones</span> Lineup of products manufactured by Apple, Inc.

Apple Inc. has produced and sold headphones since 2001, available for standalone purchase and bundled with iPhone and iPod products. Apple's current product line consists of EarPods, AirPods and AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SMS Audio</span> American headphones manufacturer

SMS Audio is an American consumer electronics company that primarily manufactures and markets headphones. The company was founded by 50 Cent in 2011 and acquired Kono Audio that same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hearables</span> Electronic ear-based devices

Hearables or smart headphones or earbuds are electronic in-ear devices designed for multiple purposes. The category is split between hearables for hearing health, and hearables for other applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaybird (company)</span> Consumer electronics company

Jaybird is a Utah-based consumer electronics company owned by Logitech. The company designs and manufactures headphones and wearable activity trackers. The company is mainly known for its line of wireless Bluetooth sports headsets. Jaybird was founded in 2006 by Australian entrepreneur Judd Armstrong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bragi (company)</span> German technology company

Bragi is a German technology company headquartered in Munich, Germany, that designs, develops and sells wireless smart earphones; the Bragi OS, the operating system for next-generation computing platforms; and the Bragi App for smartphones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doppler Labs</span>

Doppler Labs was a San Francisco-based audio technology company, founded in 2013. The company designed and manufactured in-ear computing technology, including earplugs and wireless smart earbuds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah Kraft</span>

Noah Kraft is an American entrepreneur, and the co-founder and former CEO of Doppler Labs, an audio-technology company best known for its Here One Wireless Smart Earbuds. Despite a promising start, their flagship product suffered from various issues and sold many fewer units than expected upon release. After an unsuccessful attempt to raise additional capital, Doppler Labs ceased operations in December 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DUBS Acoustic Filters</span>

DUBS Acoustic Filters are ear plugs designed by Doppler Labs and were released in 2014. They use a proprietary 17-piece physical acoustic filter system which reduces sound pressure at different frequencies whilst maintaining acoustical fidelity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nura (company)</span>

Nura is a consumer electronics company based in Melbourne, Australia, that designs and manufactures headphones with personalized sound technology. Nura's proprietary technology automatically measures the user's hearing sensitivities to different frequencies by monitoring sounds generated from the inner ear. This hearing measurement process takes 1–2 minutes. The headphones then adapt their frequency response to the user's hearing, allowing them to hear more detail when listening to music.

In sound technology, personal sound refers to a range of software solutions that customize an audio device's sound output to match the listener's unique hearing sensitivities. The technologies aim to optimize the sound quality in the audio device to ensure they best fit the hearing perception of each unique listener.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AirPods Pro</span> Wireless earbuds produced by Apple

AirPods Pro are wireless Bluetooth in-ear headphones designed by Apple, initially released on October 30, 2019. They are Apple's mid-range wireless headphones, sold alongside the base-level AirPods and highest-end AirPods Max.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RHA Audio</span> British earphone manufacturer

Origin North Ltd., formerly RHA Technologies Ltd., is a British independently owned audio company specialising in the design and production of in-ear headphones.

References

  1. ↑ Pierce, David. "Doppler's New Earbuds Are Way More Than Just Wireless Headphones". Wired . Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  2. ↑ Dunn, Jeff. "These wireless earbuds are like mini computers for your ears that are as powerful as a 2010 laptop". Business Insider. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  3. ↑ Auerbach, Brad. "Doppler Labs Launches Here One: Not Only a Volume Knob in a Loud World, a Supercomputer in Every Ear". Forbes. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  4. ↑ Dunn, Jeff. "These wireless earbuds transform the sounds around you and preview a future of in-ear computers — here's what they're like". Business Insider. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Auerbach, Brad. "How About a Volume Knob For an Ever-Louder World? Let's Go To Coachella to Find Out". Forbes. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Evenson, Austin. "Tiësto receives his own filter for Doppler Labs earbuds". www.dancingastronaut.com. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  7. ↑ Nichols, Will (22 April 2016). "How To Make Coachella Even Trippier: Augmented Reality Earbuds". Fast Company. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  8. ↑ Pierce, David. "Inside the Downfall of a Wildly Ambitious Hardware Startup". Wired. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  9. ↑ Carnoy, David. "Here One earphones review: These wireless headphones are smarter than AirPods, but are they better?". CNET. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  10. 1 2 O'Kane, Sean. "Here One review: a bitter taste of the future". The Verge . Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  11. ↑ Gershgorn, Dave. "Doppler Labs wants to put two extra brains in your ears". Quartz. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  12. ↑ Pierce, David. "These Wireless Earbuds Detect and Mute the Clamor Around You". Wired. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  13. ↑ "Here One™ Wireless Smart Earbuds - Product". Here One. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  14. ↑ McCracken, Harry (21 September 2016). "Doppler Labs And The Quest To Build A Computer For Your Ears". Fast Company. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  15. ↑ della Cava, Marco. "Here One earbuds are wireless 'computers for your ears'". USA Today . Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  16. ↑ Tauber, Alejandro (7 April 2017). "These wireless 'computers for your ears' are the real future of AR". The Next Web. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  17. ↑ Matney, Lucas. "Doppler Labs delays launch of Here One smart earbuds, won't ship until February". TechCrunch. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  18. ↑ Pierce, David. "The Here One wireless earbuds let you remix reality". Wired . Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  19. ↑ Warren, Christina. "These Futuristic Earbuds Are a Pricey Upgrade to Apple's AirPods". Gizmodo. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  20. ↑ Eadiccio, Lisa. "I Wore High-Tech Earbuds That Gave Me Super-Hearing". Time. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  21. ↑ Rodriguez, Salvador. "How This Startup Will Make You Ditch Your Dumb Headphones". Inc.com. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
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