March 22, 2007 10:22 AM PDT

When your skull is the best speaker

by Mike Yamamoto
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 4 comments
(Credit: Akihabara News)

Are we the only ones who get freaked out by the idea of having soundwaves shooting through our bones? Apparently so, judging by the number of products on the market that do just that.

The latest skeleton-rattling device comes from China, where a company called Temco just released a "bone conduction" Bluetooth headset that forgoes the usual earpieces and sends your tunes via vibrations directly through your skull, Akihabara News reports. But it looks kind of clunky, especially considering that it apparently doesn't have a built-in MP3 player as similar products do. And what good are these things if you can't take them under water?

Recent posts from Crave
Robots in 2009: The wackier, the better
Time Warner Cable shows subscribers how to cut cord
Times Square New Year's Eve Ball, a timeline
Want to see Google's new phone on YouTube?
Photographers bless improved Canon autofocus
Gadgettes Podcast 168: The Web obviously-not-exclusive-at-all-anymore Episode
Report: Apple event to be held January 26
Job ad suggests Xbox Live headed for WinMo phones
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
don't like
by icecreamobsessed March 22, 2007 1:22 PM PDT
I really don't like the sounds that resonate through your body and what's the point in having one if it can't go in water and/or has an MP3 player or Ipod installed!
Reply to this comment
New lo-tech version announced.
by HorizonDataSys March 22, 2007 2:15 PM PDT
For Immediate Release
---------------------

Easter Island Audio and Video has anncounced a new lo-tech version of the bon-conduction sound machine.

A large man(named Bunga) with a club walks around behind you. Select a song on you IPod and Bunga will beat out the music on your skull with his club. Bone conduction does the rest.

"Other than a certain amount of blood-spatter, I think it's just great"' says Prefontaine Tentious, offical spokesman for Easter Island Audio and Video. He was wearing a hospital gown, a large bloody turban of bandages and appeared to be slurring his speech slightly.

The only reported drawback is if the user asks for a tune that Bunga does not know. Bunga the plays a different tune on your noggin' while saying, "Bunga don't play dat."

###
Reply to this comment
Are You Sure This Isn't Made By Temco Japan?
by westrajc March 23, 2007 4:52 AM PDT
Temco Japan is a highly-respected manufacturer of audio conduction products, including the great "ShellShocker" motorcycle helmet mic/speaker system. Here is a link to their home page:

http://www.temco-j.co.jp/english/index.html
Reply to this comment
Gotta love their disclaimer!
by pixelpshr March 23, 2007 7:11 AM PDT
Note: Do not use the product while driving. For safety, use caution and pull the motorcycle to the edge of a road before using the product.
(4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

15 sites that went kaput in 2009

Web sites launch all the time, but they also shut their doors. We highlight 15 that bit the dust this year.

Top 10 news stories of the decade

Let the debate begin: Was the iPhone more important than iTunes? Was anything bigger than Google finding a great business model? CNET offers its list of the 10 most important stories of the '00s.