Aug 29 2008
New wireless portable speakers from your laptop’s USB connector; a cool idea for salespeople with sound in their presentations
The tech blog Engadget issued a report about TrekStor’s new Wireless Soundbox, which connects decent quality speakers to your computer using a USB-connected wireless transmitter.
“OK, that’s cool”, you may be asking yourself, “but other than for entertainment value, why would salespeople care?”
Ever have to give a demonstration or presentation on your laptop computer that includes sound? Trying to use the tiny, tinny built-in speakers on most laptops is certainly less than impressive, if not outright ineffective. And trying to connect your laptop to wired speakers or an external sound system is a pain, and more often than not, totally unreliable.
(Editor’s note: I often demonstrate e-learning applications that use sound extensively, and it’s always aggravating for my audience to have to strain to hear my laptop speakers - it just doesn’t work.)
With TrekStor’s solution, you just plug in a USB key, put a couple of these wireless speakers in the room, and away you go. Perfect for making a good aural as well as visual impression on your customer.
According to TrekStor, you can connect up to 20 of the little speakers, up to about 50 feet away. The audio streams over a 2.4GHz wireless connection. Each speaker runs on 4 AA batteries, with individual volume controls. The USB key and 2 speakers cost about US$75, with each additional speaker costing about $44. The system will be available in October 2008.
