Influx

A new technology called targeted audio allows sound to be ‘shot’ in a narrow beam, such that only people within the path of that beam can hear the sound. Among the industry applications being explored:
- Walmart and McDonalds are looking into making a point of sale display that delivers audio messages to customers standing nearby.
- Daimler-Chrysler is looking into making a car audio system such that each passenger can listen to a different radio station or CD without the need for any headphones.
- Advertisers will be able to create display advertising with interactive audio elements, without creating noise pollution for the surrounding area. Customers opt in by stepping within a prescribed area. In the coming years, premium billboard space that has traditionally been the domain of still/print display advertising will approach motion graphic cinema with targeted audio.

Two competing products are first to market targeted audio:
Audio Spotlight by Holosonic Research Labs and HyperSonic Sound (HSS) by American Technology Corporation.

Article from HP entitled, ‘targeted audio: message bubbles, sonic guns and the future of sounds to come’