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Sources are saying that Microsoft might be giving up their dreams of the Zune posing heavy competition with the iPod and have moved on to brighter pastures. While Zune sales still remain moderately okay on the whole scheme of PMP products, the Zune has proven to be a disappointment as many predicted. It’s being rumored that Microsoft is working on a 3D audio process that could change the face of how we hear our music.
The process would work by having a series of speakers which focus on target locations, so that you wouldn’t need headphones to get the full surround sound effect. A Microsoft development team is currently working on an algorithm for speakers that might do exactly that. Optimally, the speakers would be embedded in computer monitors and would target areas which would create virtual headphones. This would be done by having sound waves that diminish greatly only inches from the focal point of the sound. The ultimate goal is to allow workers to be able to listen to conference calls or video without disturbing other workers at all. It will be interesting to see if this ever comes to light. — Andrew Dobrow
