Cell phones get surround sound

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within a distance of a few feet or turned back to front. The surround-sound effect was equally convincing using high-end headphones.

The most immediate applications are games, video clips and music, the company said. While the technology is currently aimed at cell phones and being built into phone chips in Japan, it could also be used for portable audio devices such as MP3 players and portable game or video players.

IDC analyst David Linsalata said the technology is likely to be particularly beneficial for specific applications like game playing, in which consumers are used to a much better sound experience.

"Advances in audio are going to help bring in richer multimedia, increase quality of mobile music and help create more immersive games," Linsalata said. "But as you get to a point where you have wider usage, there are going to have to be different usage rules and different expectations created."

Sonaptic's technology could be disorienting for other people, he said. People sitting next to someone playing a game or listening to music on the bus, for example, might find themselves also seemingly in the middle of a field of gunshots or onstage at a concert.

As with camera phones, 3D audio could be a technology that requires a new etiquette to evolve, Linsalata said.

Sonaptic is expected to release an upgrade to its technology at a conference next week in Arizona.

question about cell phone charging

Is there anything on the market or in the works that would automatically start charging a cell phone or say an ipod immediatley when you are in the vacinity of its power source? For example, the second you walk in your door at home your electronic device, whatever it may be, would automatically start charging without hooking up to a outlet?

[Speuj]

If Tesla had his way with his wireless transmission of power back in the 30's, we'd have seen it long ago. But we all have Edison and JP Morgan to thank for wanting to put a price tag on Edison's crappy Direct Current, which couldn't be transmitted wirelessly.

[Gorbag]

Yes, cell phones will soon be charged wirelessly - you will just need to be sufficiently close to a source of appropriate energy. Unfortunately, most of those kill humans, but you can be first on your block to worship our new cybernetic overlords.