I don’t like talking on the phone in public. Often, I’m talking about something that I’m not authorized to discuss with anyone else, or I’m talking about some tech product that hasn’t been launched yet. That’s why products like Skyted’s Silent Mask appeal to me. The company launched a Kickstarter campaign today at CES 2024, touting its noise-canceling wearable device that lets you talk about confidential information anywhere without worrying about people around you hearing it. It has surpassed its $8,800 goal multiple times, and as of this writing, it has raised $54,000, which means its concept is resonating with many people.
I’m skeptical of most Kickstarter projects because they’re likely to be vaporware, but the Skyted prototype I checked out at the show felt solid. It doesn’t have an elastic headband for me to put it on my head, so I had to secure it to my face while testing, but other than that, the mask feels well made. What’s more, the device actually works.
I had to temper my expectations slightly, but otherwise I was impressed. Masks are not designed to completely cancel noise, nor are they designed to allow you to scream loudly in the middle of a restaurant and still not be heard. Or, if you’re an aspiring Broadway singer like me, it won’t completely eliminate the ballads you belt out. However, it reduces the sound by 25 decibels, so if you speak at a normal volume, people next to you won’t be able to hear what you are saying.
My colleague Mat Smith was kind enough to join me for part of the demonstration so I could talk to him while putting on or taking off my mask. When I put on my mask, Matt, who was standing next to me, sometimes didn’t realize I was talking. Considering the noise around the showroom, I kept the volume at a steady level and spoke a little louder than I normally would. Even without Matt’s verification, I could see that what I was saying was so obviously vague that if I had to talk about embargoed or classified information in public, I would be sure no one could hear me. Now, I do need to point out that I did have difficulty breathing at times while trying to wear the Skyted mask, but that probably had more to do with how tightly I pressed it against my face than how well it actually fit.
The mask uses technology similar to the latest models of jet engines, using resonators to draw sound away and into a chamber. This way, the airwaves dissipate in a controlled environment rather than being leaked and overheard. There is a small hole in the middle of the inside of the mask, and there are 12 mm air chambers on each side of the face. The microphone is located inside the mask and, depending on the device model, connects to your phone or laptop via Bluetooth or a wire. It has onboard audio jacks for input and output so you can hear yourself and others on the call.
Early bird pricing for Skyted currently starts at $299 on Kickstarter, though the price will increase by $100 after the launch period. There are plenty of mask apps that can help you keep real-world conversations private, such as allowing people to attend meetings while commuting. Skyted chief executive Stefanne Hersen said it was illegal to talk on the phone on some trains in Europe, meaning passengers on long-distance routes were unable to take work calls when needed. With Skyted, they can do it. Helson said he previously served as a vice president at Airbus and believes the technology also has applications in education.
We will provide live coverage of CES 2024, which will be held in Las Vegas from January 6th to 12th.Get all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/the-skyted-mask-makes-you-quiet-enough-to-take-calls-even-in-a-library-043759088.html?src =rss
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