ChannelVision Magazine

Today, simple headsets are bundled as free accessories to any mobile phone, giving them a perception of “nice to have” gimmicks in the consumer market. But headsets are so much more than mere accessories, having evolved into complex pieces of IT equipment. Jesper Kock, Di- rector of Research and Development at Sennheiser Communications, explains why that is and why the right choice of headsets is crucial for businesses. As a business, why should we care about headsets? With Unified Communications (UC) being a major ongoing trend in the indus- try, using headsets is simply no longer an option for businesses, but a necessity. They play an important role as a “techni- cal interface” ensuring a seamless inter- action with the company’s IT environment and, beyond this, also act as a “personal interface” – for example, when communi- cating directly with a client. This is where audio quality and the wearing comfort of a headset come into play. Both are im- portant for the user experience and can ultimately impact the adoption and over- all success of the UC implementation. Spending millions on the UC implementa- tion only to save money on the headsets is like buying a Ferrari and then fitting it with budget tires. How has headset development changed over the past years? We are no longer developing “just a headset” but rather a complex IT device: UC headsets are powered by miniature computers working constantly to main- tain optimal sound characteristics and fit into complex IT infrastructures and sound environments. Software has become paramount to the quality of communica- tions, and is now at the heart of the development of headsets. In their role of a technical interface, headsets need to comply with thousands of standards across the world. They need to stay com- pliant with softphone providers, be able to interact with phones and mobile de- vices from iOS to Android, from USB to classic phones. At Sennheiser, we have significant teams of highly specialized engineers focused on dedicated develop- ment areas, such as sound engineering, embedded software development, me- chanical and hardware engineering, as well as system architecture. It takes a lot of expertise and hard work to ensure that every product is compliant with all these standards and integrates seamlessly in every environment. How have mobile working practices changed headset design? Truly mobile working can only be- come a reality when everyone can be sure that they can be clearly understood even in the most challenging sound situ- ations, whether it’s working in a car or at an airport. To do this, our sound engi- neers have perfected the right algorithms to ensure the best noise cancellation for each situation and optimize speech intelligibility and sound quality. It all comes down to a concerted effort of excellent software and hardware – for example the three specialized micro- phones in our PRESENCE TM system. Another crucial aspect of modern headset designs is automation: Users have to concentrate on what they are saying so they cannot make any adjust- ments as they use the headset on the go. So the headset needs to adapt to the different sound environments au- tomatically. And this automation part – making the headset know what you want before you want it – is something that demands a lot of engineering ex- pertise and attention. What future trends in headset development do you see? We are currently seeing the begin- ning of a transition from headsets as periphery to an integral user interface component, which is able to contribute intelligently to its ecosystem and add value beyond audio. In the future, we might see that professional headsets measure physi- ological stats, such as heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate, muscle tension and even brain waves. Using the data gathered, a big data environ- ment could work to optimize the office environment and the individual experi- ence of the user. As an added example, location data from a headset could offer opportunities for context aware computing. By using situational and environmental informa- tion about people, places and things, immediate needs can be identifi ed and addressed automatically. By doing so, headsets will be able to help the IT eco- system create and support an easier, more intelligent work day. We have our fingers on the pulse of innovation, working together with strong partners in a range of comple- mentary industries, such as Microsoft. In addition, the collaboration with our parent company Sennheiser electronic & William Demant Holding provides us with great synergies and exempli- fies the power of partnerships: With Sennheiser’s heritage and expertise in sound, we are continuously shaping the future of audio, while WDH is an ex- pert in the development and research that we need to miniaturize further and drive the technological backbone of our headsets. As a result, our headsets and speakerphones are the culmination of the synergies of both companies. o perfected the right algorithms to ensure the best noise cancellation for each situ- ation and optimize speech intelligibility and sound qualit . It all comes down to a concerte effort of excellent softwar and hardware – for example the three special- izedmicrophones in our PRESENCE TM system. Another crucial aspect of modern headset designs is automation: Users have to con- centrate on what they are saying so they cannot make any adjustments as they use the headset on the go. So the headset needs to adapt to the ifferent sound envi- ronme ts automatically. And this automa- tion part – making the head et know what you want before you want it – is something that demands a lot of engineering exper- tise and attention. What future trends in h adset development do you see? We are currently seeing the begi ning of a transition from headsets as periphery to a integral us r interface compo en , which is abl to contribute intellig ly to its ecosystem and add value beyond audio. A headset is the constant companion of many office workers already, so adding fea- tures does not require a change in daily be- havior. Since headsets sit on the ears, they are for example in an ideal spot for wear- able technology. In the future, we might see that professional headsets measure physi- ological stats, such as heart rate, body tem- perature, respiratory rate, mu cle tension and even brain waves. Using the data gath- ered, a big data environment could work to optimize the office environment and the individual experience of the user. As an added example, location data from a headset could offer opportunities for context aware computing. By using situ- ational and environmental information every product is compliant with all these standards and integrates seamlessly in every environment. This is also reflected in our team: more than half of our engineers are currently working on the software for our head- sets. As a personal interface, headsets transcend the role of most peripheral de- vices. We need to ensure that our users feel like they are in the same room as the person they are speaking to, by transmit- ting the clearest and most natural sound possible. This may sound simple, but it requires a lot of engineering and years of experience. How have mobile working practices changed headset design? As work becomes more and more mo- bile, we need to be able to make calls and schedule meetings regardless of our loca- tion. Truly mobile working can only be- come a reality when everyone can be sure that they can be clearly understood even in the most challenging sound situations, whether it’s working in a car or at an air- port. To do this, our s un engin ers have about people, ate needs can automatically. be able to hel and support work day. On another fr perience is sti seeable futur ture in heads best possible and called, we to make them to each other, perience - a fr We have our fi vation, workin ners inarange such as Micros tion with our electronic & W vides us with plifies the po Sennheiser’s ound, we are future of audi in the develop need to minia technological As a result, o phones are th gies of both c Sennheiser’s PRESENCE™ features a three digital microphone array, which works seamlessly together with a suite of ad- vanced technologies offering consistent, clear communication even in the most challenging sound environments. “We need to ensure that our users feel like hey are i th sam room as the person they are speaking to, by transmitting the clearest and most natural sound possible” 3 digital microphone array Sennheiser a joint ven cessful au electronic G nationally r care com Hold-ing G special-ized headsets contact cen Communica well as he mobile devi 47 September - October, 2018 | Channel Vision

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