Flying cars and hover boards are something that always amaze us, but they are far-fetched ideas at the moment. However, one thing that is for the present is the levitating speaker which you could get hold of, by this Christmas.
The device has a tennis ball-sized ‘orb’ speaker that hovers over an electromagnetic base, almost at a height of 1.2 inches. The OM/ONE speaker connects to the user’s smartphone and other Bluetooth devices as it launches, allowing one to stream music from services like Spotify, Soundcloud etc. It has a range of about 33ft, and the users can change tracks and adjust volume from their device. The company, based in Oakland, California, said: ‘OM/ONE makes the impossible possible by effortlessly defying gravity. It is elegant and meticulously engineered.’
While some might say that it’s a gimmick and of no actual use, the manufacturers state otherwise. According to the company, ‘Instead of wasting amplification energy pushing sound waves into a desk, bookshelf, or table, all of the OM/ONE’s amplification energy is directed to the speaker driver to create full, crisp and clear sound. This enables OM/ONE to deliver audio performance far beyond its size.’
The OM/ONE has a frequency range of 100 hertz and has a 3 watt amplifier and will be offering 15 hours of playback before it needs to be recharged. It is a portable device and can be used on the move. The speaker has a built-in microphone for conference calls and will support usage with PCs and tablets as well. ‘The OM/ONE orb is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand and has built quality equal to the best products you already own,’ the company said.
The speaker is available to pre-order in black, white and disco ball colors. The plain versions are for $179 (£107 incl. shipping) and the disco ball version is priced as $299 (£179). They will be delivered in the US by Christmas, and internationally by January.