Soundbug is one of the latest electronic gadgets to come out of Japan.
Developed by Olympia, Inc., Soundbug is a device that can turn a glass window,
metal plate, or a taut plastic surface into an audio speaker. A standard
plastic suction device holds the gadget in place while in use.
Soundbug is about the size of a computer mouse and can connect to any MP3,
minidisc, CD, or cassette player. Two Soundbugs can be used to create a
louder stereo sound.
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http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/action/large/20fc6c5.jpg
The sound resulting from a single Soundbug peaks at 75dBm. Olympia claims
that Soundbug uses a material developed by the U.S. Government called Terfenol-D.
Terfenol-D easily expands and contracts when stimulated by electricity.
According to Olympia, the U.S. Government granted the company special permission
to use Terfenol-D in their product. Olympia recently announced that the Soundbug technology will be used in a new
hands-free mobile phone device for
cars. Apparently, the device will attach to a glass car window which will act as
a speaker.
Soundbug requires 3 AAA batteries, has a standard 3.55mm headphone jack, and
sells for about 45$US.
~ Like Japanese inventions? Try... Bowlingual ~
References:
http://www.soundbug.biz
http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/audio/5a15