D
Imagine a world where you move around in front of a personal computer in your own sound space. You listen to your favorite songs, play loud computer games or watch a movie - all without other people hearing the sound. That is the possibility presented by “sound beaming,” a new technology from Noveto Systems, an Israeli company.
On Friday, the company presented a desktop device that sends sound directly to a listener without the need for headphones or a special receiver. Noveto Systems gave The Associated Press (AP) a chance to test its Sound Beamer 1.0 before its debut. The AP’s Louise Dixon writes that listening to the device is like something from a science fiction movie. The sound seems so close it feels like it is inside your ears while also in front, above and behind them.
Noveto expects the device will have many uses. Office workers could listen to music or conference calls without others hearing. People could play a game, a movie or music without waking up others in the same room. Because the device does not use headphones, it is possible to hear other sounds in the room clearly.
The device uses a 3-D technology that finds and follows the ear position of the listener. It sends ultrasonic waves (超声波) to create sound pockets by the user’s ears. Sound can be heard in stereo or 3-D. The 3-D method creates sound on all sides of the listener. By changing a setting, the sound can follow a listener around when they move their head. It also is possible to move out of the sound beam’s path and hear nothing at all.
While the idea of sound beaming is not new, Noveto was the first to launch the technology. Its chief executive officer Christophe Ramstein said a smaller version of the device will be ready for release to consumers next year.
28. What do we know about Sound Beamer?
A. It’s a device appearing in the science fiction movie.
B. Listeners got its sound through a receiver.
C. It can prevent other sound being heard.
D. The smaller one will be on market next year.
29. What does the underlined word “debut” in paragraph 2 mean?
A. New version. B. First appearance. C. Another failure. D. Some doubt.
30. What does the fourth paragraph tell us?
A. How the device works.
B. How to use the device.
C. The device’s advantage.
D. Why the device is invented.
31. What is the text mainly about?
A. The introduction of a new device--sound beamer.
B. The usage of 3D technology.
C. The influence brought by sound beamer.
D. 3D technology and listening experience.
