Emo Labs concocts its own invisible speaker technology

Emo Labs didn't stir up too much commotion while CES was going on, but apparently it did have a tiny presence in Vegas. The crew at Technologizer was able to listen to a sneak preview of the startup's Edge Motion technology, and if the demo is indicative of the end result, we could be onto something special. Much like NXT's SoundVu tech that seemed to fizzle out about as quickly as it hit the scene in 2005, this system creates a so-called invisible speaker by "using arrays of motors to wiggle the edges of a clear membrane." Gurus at the company are hoping to have it integrated into panels of TVs by the end of this year, though it'll be a bit longer before the same can happen on space-constrained laptops.

[Eddie @ Jan 27th 2009 2:48AM]

Whoa whoa whoa... wait a minute... "emo" labs?

[JAmerican @ Jan 27th 2009 3:12AM]

I was thinking the same thing but decided to be original and post something worthy.

[Paulo Cesar @ Jan 27th 2009 5:06AM]

Even if the product is the most awesome thing in the world, I just can't buy something from a company named "Emo labs"

[TREX6662k5 @ Jan 27th 2009 6:21AM]

Dear diary, mood; Apathetic

[pokepoke @ Jan 27th 2009 6:56AM]

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa.... Whoa... Whoa... Lois, this is not my batman glass."

[therewillbeapples @ Jan 27th 2009 7:00AM]

That company´s name made me instantaneously click the comments link, ignoring whatever the article is actually about.
Think about that, Emo CEO.

[Derek @ Jan 27th 2009 8:27AM]

"Emo Labs didn't stir up too much commotion while CES was going on..."

Too busy drawing cuts on their wrists with a red Sharpie and crying in the dark...

[JAmerican @ Jan 27th 2009 2:48AM]

Great for netbooks. Finally they can stop placing circular speakers at the bottom of the laptops.

[therewillbeapples @ Jan 27th 2009 7:21AM]

yeah. i second this worthy comment of yours.

[shugg @ Feb 1st 2009 7:07PM]

what touchscreen cells here in the usa come with that skyfire,flash player built in????not too familiar with it.

[Aguiluz @ Jan 27th 2009 2:48AM]

The speaker "material" is actually that thin film of plastic?

[iApple @ Jan 27th 2009 2:52AM]

no. it's actually a thin film of plastic from my sad soul.

*cries a tear out of one eye*

[iApple @ Jan 27th 2009 2:51AM]

emo labs makes me want to hurt myself

[allislost @ Jan 27th 2009 3:01AM]

I would die, then i'll come back with my bleeding heart within my hands, asking for forgiveness, a hug, and a kiss.

And all is ask is that i get this awesome ma' fucken tech on my next laptop!

[Paulo E. Loch @ Jan 27th 2009 3:04AM]

Lmao, the owner must have lots of e-motional problems. Hah a pun! lmao

[Jazper @ Jan 27th 2009 3:35AM]

Sounds sort of like the concept of electrostatic speakers, like Martin-Logan's. If they can find a way to make the movable bit rigid enough that it moves as one piece then they've got something here. Of course, electrostatics also protect the membrane (which doesn't like to get poked) with a metal mesh frame. These guys have to leave it open to finger prints, etc.

In general a nice idea. I can't see the sound being worse than the crappy speakers shoved everywhere on existing laptops...

[Anonymous @ Jan 27th 2009 10:27PM]

actually the sound is really good and its finger friendly. iv touched it and heard it at full blast even on a 24'' tv

[lawyer bird @ Jan 27th 2009 3:38AM]

Can it only play senses fail and saosin?

[domoPod @ Jan 27th 2009 3:47AM]

im dont think they're emo enough,

hawthorne heights on the other hand...

[v3xx @ Jan 27th 2009 10:53AM]

more like simple plan.

[Imaskar @ Jan 27th 2009 7:18AM]

anybody knows, whats happened with NXT-speakers? the technology description sounded so good, so i've tried to find a pair, but found nothing...

[RobU @ Jan 27th 2009 3:38PM]

NXT is mostly in business to license their technology to others and typically the license fee is very high. I wouldn't be surprised if Emo Labs gets slapped with a lawsuit for violating an NXT patent soon.

[Anonymous @ Jan 27th 2009 10:27PM]

try a pair of theses when they come out. trust me even though they arent at their final point yet they are wy better than nxt.

[MaxSMoke @ Jan 27th 2009 4:18AM]

You know where they SHOULD be using this? WATCHES! Especially those new Watch Cellphones. They could use the whole screen as a Speaker phone. In spaces were every millimeter counts, I can see this being much more useful for Wristwatches and Cellphones, then TV Screens. My TV may be flat, but my stereo system is fat. Or Phat. Kinda both?

[G @ Jan 27th 2009 4:49AM]

Can this produce sounds on different parts of the monitor? It would be cool if when you clicked something or a notification popped up, you cold hear as well as see on what part of the screen it happened.


ontopic: are they going to cut themselves if nobody buys their product?

[Anonymous @ Jan 27th 2009 10:27PM]

well. actually when you are atching a movie or playing a game(or getting a notification) it sounds like its coming right from where it is on the screen.

[Patriks7 @ Jan 27th 2009 6:20AM]

So, how sharp are these monitors? :p

[absinthe party @ Jan 27th 2009 7:13AM]

Why the sad face, Emo Labs? Life got you down?

[Lucca Mendonça @ Jan 27th 2009 7:35AM]

LOL.

[olpmcg @ Jan 27th 2009 7:43AM]

Are these speakers invisible so you wont see them slash their own wrists! Oy companies these days I remember when the just named themselves after fruit and house features!

[anthony @ Jan 27th 2009 8:50AM]

Pretty sure Apple already has a patent pending for this already...

oops - it's for a camera behind the display. Carry on, Carry on

[Grammar freak @ Jan 27th 2009 11:07AM]

I wish my grass was emo so it would cut itself.

[phr3qu3ncy441 @ Jan 27th 2009 12:45PM]

omg... that made my day.

[superhobo @ Jan 27th 2009 12:44PM]

Samsung and LG already have this in some of their LCD HDTVs

[Anonymous @ Jan 27th 2009 10:30PM]

actually no they don't sorry for the news. emo labs has talked about putting their product on lg, theyve even met with them a few times.

[Halfie1485 @ Jan 27th 2009 3:17PM]

can i get it in "im so dark i sh*t bats" black?

[Anonymous @ Jan 27th 2009 7:04PM]

I've actually heard these before and even at full blast you cant see them moving. And trust me these are loud. O btw these dont crackle like normal speakers. And emo stands for edge motion.