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5 Predictions for Wireless Audio Streaming in 2022

By | Education, Food for thought, Hearing Assistance, Home Audio, Wireless Audio | No Comments

As A/V technologies grow more advanced and consumers become more reliant on their smartphone devices, we expect the field of local audio over WiFi to continue growing in the new year. Below are our 5 predictions for wireless audio streaming in 2022.

1. Increased Focus on Accessibility 

If there is one positive thing to come out of the past two years it’s that we have all become more aware of the health challenges and disabilities of others. That includes individuals with hearing impairments. 

This spotlight on hearing has lead to a focus on providing more and better accessibility options in theaters and churches. We predict this focus will continue to grow in 2022, with even more businesses and organizations using audio over WiFi for hearing assistance. The venues we anticipate will grow the most are schools and universities, hospitals and conferences and convention centers.

2. Social Distancing Will Still Be Important

No, unfortunately, we are not yet done with social distancing. As new variants continue to spread throughout the word (and there will be more no doubt, Omicron is not the final one), we’re going to have to continue maintaining safer distances in certain public establishments and spaces.

Wireless audio streaming is a simple, flexible and affordable way to permit social distancing, while allowing businesses to stay open and provide entrainment options. Expect this to continue throughout most if not all of 2022.

3. New Applications Will Be Discovered

We get calls from folks all the time that want to know, “Will AudioFetch work for X?” or “Can I use AudioFetch for Y?” And 99.9% of the time, our answer is yes! 

AudioFetch is so flexible, so simple and so affordable, there are near-infinite uses. We could never rattled them all off or list them all on our site. Heck, we haven’t even thought of some of them! But if it has to do with helping people hear better in public venues or at home, AudioFetch can probably help! 

Take Itchy-O for example, a 57-member avant-garde marching band and performance music group based in Denver, CO. The Itchy-O band leader uses AudioFetch to communicate with the other members as they dance throughout the crowd during their performances. We certainly couldn’t have imagined this application, but what a cool use and perfectly suited use for AudioFetch! 

4. More Businesses Using Wireless Audio Distribution

Interest in using AudioFetch for wireless audio distribution has grow significantly in the past couple years as businesses look for more flexible and affordable audio solutions that meet the needs of today’s tech-savvy consumer. AudioFetch has replaced the existing wireless audio distribution system for a music festival and race track, and we expect to see even more businesses using AudioFetch in this way in 2022. 

5. Continued Interest in Home Entertainment Options

We’ve all spent a lot of time at home these past couple years. And while there were certainly times when the cabin fever seemed unbearable and we would have rather been ANYWHERE else on the planet, collectively, we have all learned how to be at home more, and some folks even now prefer it.

Just because we’re staying home more, however, doesn’t mean we don’t want to be entertained. This is clear when you look at all the home-focused technology to come out of CES this year. We especially loved Samsung’s The FreeStyle projector that would be perfect for hosting outdoor movie nights with AudioFetch Home as the audio solution! 

We are choosing to stay positive and have an optimistic outlook for 2022. We look forward to working with even more large franchises, mom and pop businesses and individuals to help more people hear better in both commercial and residential spaces. 

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3 Steps to a Better Airport Experience

By | Waiting Rooms, airports | No Comments

Summertime air travel is expected to increase 3.4% over last year, and while the destination can be the reward, what about making the journey more enjoyable as well? Most of the stress of air travel is just a matter of surrendering your time to the process of getting there. For many, this begins by dealing with finding joy and gratitude in getting ready, getting to the airport, and getting on the plane.

The Night Before Your Flight

You’re all packed and have checked in online, now take some time to plan your travel outfit the night before you leave.  No matter how long your flight, you want to be comfortable, so choose your softest, most breathable clothes.  Keep in mind the difference between casual Friday and looking like you spent the last three weeks painting your house – you never know who you might run into at the airport. Being comfortable and looking put together also makes you “look the part” of someone who enjoys travel, which can add a bit more fun to your journey and might even get you some travel perks. If you’re on an international flight, consider packing a change of shirt, underwear and some deodorant wipes, so you can feel a bit more refreshed when you deplane.

Commuting To the Airport

Many of us have had the experience of rushing to the airport, hoping we don’t miss the flight and make the trip even more stressful and expensive. So, one of the best things you can do is allow yourself ample time to travel to the airport. Think of ways you can save yourself time like showering the night before, packing everything you’ll need in your carryon, from a snack to your passport, and if you’re a morning snoozer, try setting your alarm 20 minutes earlier.  If you live in a big city, you need to plan ahead for traffic and unexpected delays like an accident or a freeway closure – even if you are taking a cab or rideshare. If you are driving yourself, don’t forget to plan time for finding a parking spot and grabbing a shuttle to the terminal. The worst thing that could happen if you plan ahead, is that you’ll arrive at the airport so early you’ll actually have time to meander through security and maybe check a few emails before boarding even begins. 

Before You Board

Even inside the airport there is still traffic – the foot kind.  Whether you’re checking bags or headed straight to security, be sure your boarding pass and i.d. are handy. If you planned your travel outfit the night before, hopefully you’re wearing slip on shoes, minimal jewelry and pants that don’t need a belt. These simple steps can really help you breeze through security

If you’ve given yourself ample time to arrive at the airport, and have made it through security, you have the option of exploring some of the airport’s comfort options, like restaurants, lounges, televised news & sports, and (if you’re lucky) massage stations.  O’Hare in Chicago has a light show along the moving sidewalk.  Austin’s airport will give you a flavor of the city.  JFK in Queens has a view of the Manhattan skyline.  You can ask if the airport has an observation deck or if you’re on a stopover from an international flight, if the airport has showers. Be sure to pack your headphones and ask if there’s an airport audio streaming system for the televisions around the terminal. A wireless streaming solution that transmits television audio to your smartphone can ensure you hear every word of what’s on screen to help you pass the time while waiting for your flight. 

Finally, be sure to pack some breath mints or pick some up at one of the shops in the terminal. Once you’re finally on the plane, you can offer one to your seatmate as an ice breaker.

Bon voyage.

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3 Reasons Music Increases Productivity

By | Food for thought, Music | No Comments

In today’s workplace, an average employee is productive for only three hours, leaving many business owners searching for simple and inexpensive solutions to keep their teams focused. “Building friendly relationships creates a fertile ground for teamwork,” according to Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert. “That atmosphere engenders more creativity, as people innovate most when they feel supported and the work culture is upbeat and fun.” Keeping your employees smiling isn’t easy, but retention is definitely a money saver.

The cost of finding a new entry-level employee is 30% to 50% of annual salary, for the middle-level it increases to 150%, and for high-level it’s 400%! One solution to retaining strong employees is to keep them happy, and one easy way to keep them happy is to provide them with music. Here are our top 3 reasons why offering your team an internal music option could be just what your business needs:

1) Music Makes People Happy
Dissatisfied employees can cost up to $75 billion yearly. So, it pays (companies) to be happy. Music therapy is more effective than other therapy methods in curing depression. Music also increases breathing rate, and increased breathing is a sign of happiness. It even affects babies as early as five months old. On the other hand, for those that value crying, sad music may help them have a cathartic experience.

2) Music Relieves Stress
Stress costs companies $200 to $300 billion yearly, and music can prevent this. Music can have a tremendously positive effect on reducing stress hormones. When working in a fast-paced or deadline-orientated work environment, music can be just what the team needs to stay focused and relaxed.

3) Music Increases Cooperation
A Cornell University study found that music has an effect on our willingness to cooperate. The study found that upbeat or “pleasant” music made people more willing to cooperate, while unpleasant music had the opposite effect. If your workplace thrives on teamwork (and let’s face it, whose doesn’t?), music can be an inexpensive and effective tool in fostering more unity and increased productivity. The Harvard Business Review found that happiness increased productivity by an average 31%, appreciated sales by 37%, and tripled creativity.

In order to keep everyone humming, so-to-speak, you have to be able to offer your staff multiple music options at once. A wireless audio streaming system can bring more smiles to your team’s work life, and make you the boss of the year!