Imagine a world where you move around in front of a personal computer in your own sound space. You listen to your favorite songs, play loud computer games or watch a movie—all without other people hearing the sound. That is the possibility presented by “sound beaming,” a new technology from Noveto Systems, an Israeli company.
On Friday, the company presented a desktop device that sends sound directly to a listener without the need for headphones or a special receiver. Noveto Systems gave The Associated Press (AP) a chance to test its Sound Beamer 1.0 before its debut. The AP’s Louise Dixon writes that listening to the device is like something from a science fiction movie. The sound seems so close it feels like it is inside your ears while also in front, above and behind them.
Noveto expects the device will have many uses. Office workers could listen to music or conference calls without others hearing. People could play a game, a movie or music without waking up others in the same room. Because the device does not use headphones, it is possible to hear other sounds in the room clearly.
The device uses a 3-D technology that finds and follows the ear position of the listener. It sends ultrasonic waves to create sound pockets by the user’s ears. Sound can be heard in stereo or 3-D. The 3-D method creates sound on all sides of the listener The demo version of the device included nature videos of birds on a lake, bees flying and a quiet waterway. By changing a setting, the sound can follow a listener around when they move their head. It also is possible to move out sound beam’s path and hear nothing at all.
While the idea of sound beaming is not new, Noveto was the first to launch the technology. Its chief executive officer Christophe Ramstein said a smaller version of the device will be ready for release to consumers next year.
1. What do we know about Sound Beamer?A.It’s a device appearing in the science fiction movie. |
B.Listeners got its sound through a receiver. |
C.It can prevent other sound being heard. |
D.The smaller one will be on market next year. |
A.New version. | B.First appearance. | C.Another failure. | D.Some doubt. |
A.How the device works. | B.How to use the device. |
C.The device’s advantage. | D.Why the device is invented. |
A.The introduction of a new device — sound beamer. | B.The usage of 3D technology. |
C.The influence brought by sound beamer. | D.3D technology and listening experience. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】More than 1,800 teen researchers came to the Valley of the Sun this week (May 12-17). Those who shone brightest took home big prizes. The prizes are from the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Top winner Krithik Ramesh took home $75,000. He developed a system to help doctors do spinal surgery (脊椎外科手术) better. Using the technology, doctors can finish the surgery more quickly.
Krithik’s system can map a patient’s spine. It can give doctors advice about how to carry out spinal surgery. It can be used not only in cities, but also in the countryside. The new system could take the place of the methods being used by today’s doctors, says Krithik,16, who attends Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, Colo, USA. Krithik’s project won the Gordon E. Moore Award. It’s named for a founder of Intel. Other winners took home sizeable awards as well, this year. Together, these awards totaled about $5 million.
The Intel ISEF has been honoring (表扬) young researchers since 1950. This competition was created and is still run by Society for Science & the Public(SSP). It is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition. Now supported by Intel, the 2019 ISEF brought together students from more than 80 countries and areas.
“I am inspired by all of the creativity on show this week,” said SSP President Maya Ajmera. “Congratulations to our winners and all our finalists. They are, showing that world-changing ideas can come from anywhere in the world.”.
1. Krithik Ramesh won the prize for his ________.A.computer skills |
B.wonderful results |
C.advice about surgery |
D.system to help doctors |
A.Intel. | B.Competition. |
C.Prize. | D.System |
A.Teenagers. | B.Scientists. |
C.Engineers. | D.Doctors. |
A.To praise the Intel ISEF. |
B.To admire the young winners. |
C.To encourage the competition. |
D.To introduce a new technology. |
【推荐2】Fifteen years ago Steve Jobs announced three new products: a music player, a mobile phone and an Internet communicator. As Apple’s then-boss gave his presentation, his audience slowly realized that the three products were in fact a single device: the iPhone.
Today even Mr Jobs might be surprised by how many uses have been found for his versatile device. The small screen has come to deal with banking,networking, map-reading, gaming and much more. Apple and other phonemakers have been enriched by hardware sales.
Yet there is increasing evidence that the smartphone era is becoming weak. Phone sales have been in gentle decline(下降) since 2016,as slower technological improvement has led to people upgrading less often. In rich countries, already saturated(饱和),the decline is especially marked. So tech investors(投资者)are on the hunt for the next big thing, in hopes of winning not just a juicy hardware market but the possibility to control the platform on which everything takes place.
The current big idea is virtual-reality(VR)headsets. More promising are glasses for experiencing augmented reality(AR), in which computer graphics are overlaid on the real world. Most of America’s big tech companies are developing or already selling VR or AR headsets. What has so far been a niche(小众的) market is about to become very crowded.
Any claim to have discovered the next big platform deserves caution(谨慎).There have been plenty of false starts.Tablets were regarded as a rival(竞争对手)to the smartphone, yet Apple still makes six times as much money selling iPhones as it does from iPads. In-car tech is another platform that has proved useful and valuable, but hardly threatens to become the centre of anyone’s digital life.It is easy to imagine headsets,which are now used mostly for gaming, getting stuck in a similar niche.
Customers gradually favour new wearable devices.These include voice-activated smart headphones, which can make calls and read messages. Smart watches can deal with scheduling,navigation and fitness. A growing array of health-tech products measure everything from blood sugar to sleep patterns.In America unit sales of these“wearables”are already close to sales of smartphones.
1. What does the underlined word“versatile”in Paragraph 2 mean?A.Being easy to use. | B.Being very smart. |
C.Being very expensive. | D.Having many functions. |
A.The market is already saturated in most countries. |
B.People find less need to upgrade their smartphones. |
C.Tech investors are on the hunt for the next big thing |
D.There is no technological improvement in smartphones |
A.Doubtful. | B.Negative. | C.Cautious. | D.Positive. |
A.The sales of “wearables”are probably on the rise. |
B.The smartphones will soon disappear from our market. |
C.Health-tech products will beat voice activated smart headphones. |
D.Wearable devices will replace smartphones as the next big tech platform. |
【推荐3】Cool Inventions
For Light Sleepers
Millions of people have trouble falling asleep each night, which is why Light Sleeper was created.
Developed in the United Kingdom, Light Sleeper’s makers say it can help a person fall asleep and also help a person fallback to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night.
Light Sleeper works by projecting(投射) a light on to the ceiling while the person is lying down. The idea is to watch the light, because the light moving in a circle has a relaxing effect.
One of the advantages of the product is that it won’t disturb other people in the room. The product can be easily moved and will switch itself off after 30 minutes to save power.
Stop the Snoring (打鼾)
Here’s a new product designed to slowdown the frequency and level of your snoring. The Snore Stopper has a sensitive instrument that will detect when you’re snoring. Once it does that, it will send a very mild electronic signal to your wrist. This consequently changes your sleeping position to stop you from snoring. The Snore Stopper won’t cause any damage to your body.
Get Your True Colors
Photoshop features a pen that will copy the color settings of what you are monitoring onscreen to use as a color in your pro-gram. Now an off-line product allows you to pick a color when not using the computer software.
The Color Picker is a concept pen. After placing the pen against an object, the user just presses the scan button. Color sensors (感应器) inside the pen send information to a box, which then mixes red, green and blue to produce the desired ink color.
1. What is the main function of Light Sleeper to help people sleep?A.Its light makes people feel calm. |
B.It doesn’t make any noise. |
C.It is fixed on the ceiling. |
D.Its light moves fast. |
A.It will causes light damage to a person’s body. |
B.It will wake a person up once he starts snoring. |
C.It can make sure a person doesn’t snore all night. |
D.It can make a person snore less by changing his sleeping position. |
A.using the computer | B.drawing pictures |
C.collecting information | D.designing a program |
【推荐1】Cyclist Alain Such has been dropped from the Ingotel cycling team for two years after a positive drug test at the Institute of drug Free Sport. “ I was flabbergasted.” Said Didier Garcia, from Team Ingotel. “Alain joined our team last month and we had no idea that he was being examined.”
It’s a story that has become more and more familiar in recent years. Dr. Mohammad Farnood, a leading sports scientist from Cairo, Egypt, said, “ It is thought that some athletes will look for other ways to improve performance in addition to using drugs.”
However, it has not always been against the law. In the Olympics in 1904, Thomas Hicks won the marathon after using drugs in the middle of the race. In fact, the first one didn’t make him feel better for long, so he was given another and, as a result, he fell down soon after finishing and knew nothing. Another one may well have killed him.
Things are very different today. Some scientists are considering the possibilities of using genetic engineering to further develop athletes’ abilities. “If it works with no risk of discovering,” said Dr Farnood, “ then it’s likely to become common practice for athletes.”
Researchers are looking at the possibility of identifying “athletic” genes and correcting weak ones. Put into practice, this would make a person healthier and stronger. Once scientists understand what genes of top athletes look like , it might even become possible to identify “athletic” genes in young people, and then money could be spent on children who have the most promising genes.
“People are beginning to recognize that genetics can in many ways do good to our society, for example in saving lives and in creating better quality food for people.” Dr Farnood says. “ So, is it fair to use genetic engineering in sport? You could ask if it’s fair for some runners to use the latest scientifically developed footwear. The key question is whether it’s available to everyone.”
1. What does the underlined word “ flabbergasted” in Paragraph 1 mean ?A.Shy . | B.Proud. |
C.Excited. | D.Surprised. |
A.He was badly hurt in training. |
B.He broke the law when running in a race. |
C.He took drugs and almost got killed. |
D.He lost the match in the Olympic Games. |
A.Didier Garcia . |
B.Thomas Hicks. |
C.Cyclist Alain Such . |
D.Dr Mohammad Farnood. |
A.The possibility of identifying “athletic” genes has become available . |
B.It’s not clear whether it is fair to use genetic engineering in sport. |
C.The practice of using drugs in sport has a long history. |
D.It’s dangerous to use drugs in sport. |
【推荐2】Electric vehicles are becoming a real hit. Yet sales of electric vehicles, or EVs, are expected to amount to less than four percent of passenger vehicle sales in the United States in 2021. One reason: the inability to easily recharge on long trips, known as range anxiety.
In July, the Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University announced plans to develop the world’s first touchless wireless-charging concrete highway. The project developed by the company Mament will enable wireless charging of electric vehicles as people drive them.
The project will test the electrified road. The most important test will assess the capability of the system to transfer (转移) high-levels of power wirelessly. While the idea is similar to cellphones that charge wirelessly, there is a significant difference: charging with a 10-to-15-inch gap. “The cellphone touches the surface to charge, so it’s pretty strongly coupled (连接),” Nadia Gkritza, a professor at Purdue University said. “Whereas now, if we increase the so-called air gap, the coupling weakens and so does the power transfer.”
A big challenge is clearly on the vehicle side, said Mauricio Esguerra, co-founder of Magment. “The vehicle industry is so busy with making batteries, making software, so that making them deal with inductive (电感应的) charging right now is a priority which is far away. The spirit of this project is to concentrate first on the technical challenges of showing that it works.” On-road charging will also need to “stand all the weight and weather influences. There may be particular applications where on-road charging infrastructure (基础设施) could be targeted to select locations, such as bus stops,” he said.
The Purdue team is mindful of these challenges, but optimistic. There are, however, legal barriers, Ms Gkritza said, “For example, in Indiana, if you’re not a utility (公共事业),” you cannot resell electricity. So, if you’re the roadway operator, you cannot charge the vehicles for the electricity they consume. Also, there are difficulties in using the interstate right of way right now to build this infrastructure. There are certain laws that need changing before this becomes a reality.”
1. Why did the author mention cellphone charging?A.To stress the difficulty of on-road charging. |
B.To introduce wireless charging technology. |
C.To show the necessity of transferring power. |
D.To explain the benefits of increasing the air gap. |
A.It should be used on buses first. |
B.It fails to stand weather influences. |
C.It is in need of more financial support. |
D.It’s an early-stage technology for the car industry. |
A.Roadway conditions. | B.Electricity shortage |
C.Government rules. | D.Location selection. |
A.Could EVs rule? |
B.Could roads recharge cars? |
C.Could cars be more eco-friendly? |
D.Could technology make car design easier? |
【推荐3】A man paralyzed from the neck down has gained the ability to type words with his brain about as fast as the average smartphone user, a new study says.
This “mindwriting” was done through a science-fiction sounding brain-computer interface (BCI) (接口) that picked up neural signals and fed them into an algorithm (算法) which translated them into letters. The secret to the success, and why this particular BCI was able to produce words at such a faster rate than other BCIs in the past, was that it tracked the brain signals of the patient, known as T5, as he imagined writing them down with a pen—a skill which remains in our motor skill system for years after paralysis.
“With this BCI, our study participant achieved typing speeds of 90 characters per minute,” wrote the study group, whose paper can be read in Nature. “To our knowledge, these typing speeds exceed (超过) those reported for any other BCI, and are comparable to typical smartphone typing speeds of individuals in the age group of our participant.” The study had conducted other trials with different BCIs before, in which they used eye-monitoring equipment, but found it required tremendous attention and focus from the user.
The new BCI isn’t yet developed enough to be called a prototype, meaning it will likely be years before more paralysis victims can regain their ability to communicate. However, this also means the room for improvement is much higher, explained one scientist, speaking with CNN.
1. How does mindwriting work?A.It improves motor skill system. | B.It tracks people’s hand signals. |
C.It writes signals down with pens. | D.It translates neural signals into words. |
A.By giving examples. | B.By analyzing causes. |
C.By making reference. | D.By making comparisons. |
A.Thought. | B.Model. | C.Reminder. | D.Barrier. |
A.A New BCI Picks up Neural Signals |
B.Mindwriting Helps Paralyzed Patients Write Fast |
C.Paralyzed Patients Write as Fast as Smartphone Users |
D.Paralysis Victims Regain Social Skills through Mindwriting |
【推荐1】More than two thirds of the world's polar bears will be wiped out by 2050, according to a shocking new study. By then, scientists say, global warming will have melted 42 percent of the Arctic sea ice. By 2100, only a very few of these important creatures will be left.
The report has been produced by the US Geological Survey. The scientists have publicized their findings in the hope of influencing US Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, who has been asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list.
Polar bears depend on floating sea ice as a platform for hunting seals, which are their main food. Without enough ice, polar bears would be forced to go onto the land, where they are poorly skilled hunters, and would be unlikely to adapt to the life on the land in time. Experts say few little bears would survive and the stress could make many females unable to get pregnant.
The team of American and Canadian scientists spent six months studying bears, on the ground, from spotter planes and in the lab, using computer models. Some team members fear the result is even worse for the bears than what their report says. They say the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere in the world and much faster than their computer had been forecasting. Satellite observations have showed that the ice has decreased to an alltime low.
However, not everyone in the scientific community believes that global warming is happening on such an alarming scale. Another investigation has found that polar bears are still being hunted by wealthy “sportsmen” who want their skins and heads. At least ten international companies offer bearhunting trips.
1. What do we know about Dirk Kempthorne according to the passage?A.He is an animal scientist. |
B.He is a protector of animals working for the US government. |
C.He was asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list. |
D.He offered to put polar bears on the endangered species list. |
A.Because polar bears can't catch enough food without ice. |
B.Because polar bears eat ice when they feel thirsty. |
C.Because polar bears will be easily found by hunters without ice. |
D.Because most female bears are used to giving birth under ice. |
A.Global warming makes the whole world different. |
B.Human beings are responsible for the endangered species. |
C.Most of the polar bears will be wiped out by the end of this century. |
D.Scientists have found that most animals in the Arctic will die out by the end of this century. |
【推荐2】Travelling through airport security can be a troublesome experience, with most travelers at one time or another forgetting that they have packed a bottle of water, fork or hand cream that subjects them to the anger of the guards.
But a new report has shown that many Brits have far more bizarre items to worry about in their luggage.
A recent survey of more than 2,000 Britons has revealed the top five strangest items confiscated(没收) at the airport and they include handcuffs and even live animals.
The poll by flight comparison website JetCost showed many passengers like to try their luck with a bizarre range of souvenirs when returning home from vacation.
Top of the list of items removed by security was handcuffs, with l4 percent of respondents revealing the strange bedroom accessory (配件) was the reason they had gotten into trouble with airport security guards.
Many claimed they had forgotten the item was in their hand luggage, but some admitted they were intending to use them during their plane journey.
Second on the list was sand or plant from the place the person had visited, with nine percent of respondents admitting their souvenir had been against security rules.
Bizarrely,third on the list of items confiscated was living animals, with eight percent of people admitting they'd had creatures including lizards and spiders removed from their hand luggage before boarding their flight. Rounding up the list were tent pegs at number four and dead animals, such as wild chickens, at number five.
The survey also questioned 1,000 residents of Spain, Italy, Germany and France to find out what were the most common items confiscated by people from those countries.
In Spain, the most common item removed at security was knife, in Italy it was hair dye(染发剂) and in Germany it was dead animals.
Meanwhile in France, the survey showed that locals were most likely to have fireworks taken off them from their hand luggage.
1. Which word has the closest meaning to the underlined word "bizarre" in the passage?
A.Strange | B.Fantastic. | C.Common | D.Beautiful |
A.Handcuffs | B.Plant | C.Lizards | D.Lipstick |
A.Some French like to challenge the airport. |
B.Some French like to bring fireworks home from other countries. |
C.Some French like to dye their hair before going back home from overseas. |
D.France is a very famous tourist country. |
【推荐3】On May. 27, 2020, Tselo, from the Tibetan ethnic group, alongside eight other members of the Chinese national mountaineering team (国家登山队) for the mapping and surveying of the elevation (高度) of Qomolangma, reached the highest peak in the world.
“We failed twice before,” said Tselo, the team’s captain, at the recent launch ceremony of the book Approach the Summit of the Earth in Beijing.
With detailed maps and graphics, it provides a fascinating insight into Qomolangma, and its new height, and tells the history of China’s surveying and mapping of the mountain. Readers can also scan QR codes on the pages, accessing audio, video and a virtual (虚拟的) reality 3D map.
“Last year, when we were planning the book, we wanted to present the region using the logic of Earth System Science. Now we are happy to see this book tell a good story about a complete system of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, sand and ice,” says An, a director on the book’s editorial board.
Humans started exploring the peak in 1921 by British mountaineers. The book covers the moment when Chinese people first set foot on the top of the mountain in 1960 and other important moments featuring mountaineers from all over the world.
It also records the start of China’s surveying and mapping of Qomolangma, which began during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), all the way to the most accurate ever recording of its 8,848.86-meter elevation in 2020.
“It’s a big honour for us because, even though we often climb mountains, it not often we get to work on a scientific investigation,” Tselo says. “We encountered a lot of difficulties during the climb, but thinking about our predecessors (前辈) in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, we were inspired by the spirit that helped them overcome the difficulties that, nowadays, we cannot imagine.”
“We hope that the book will provide a window through which readers can learn about Qomolangma and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, be a link between science and society, and make a bigger contribution to protecting the third pole and the harmonious coexistence of people and nature,” says Chen Ping, general manager of the book’s publisher.
1. Why does the author tell us the news in paragraph 1?A.To speak highly of the action. | B.To attract readers’ attention. |
C.To share knowledge of climbing. | D.To announce recent findings. |
A.Words. | B.Videos. | C.Images. | D.Comics. |
A.British succeeded to reach the peak in 1921. |
B.China started surveying the peak in the 1960s. |
C.The book was written by Tselo and his team. |
D.The book helps us better know about the peak. |
A.A diary. | B.A guidebook. | C.A novel. | D.A magazine. |
【推荐1】Great Activities for Nature Lovers
Hiking
One of the easiest and most accessible ways to get close to nature is by setting out on a good old fashioned hike. Hiking generally doesn’t require any fancy equipment or special skills, just a piece of map and a thirst for adventure. This activity can be as relaxing as you make it.
Backcountry Camping
Why limit yourself to just a day hike when you can have a full weekend or longer adventure? Backcountry Camping involves packing your tent, sleeping gear, food, and water on your back to set up camp in a remote location. If you’re an experienced hiker and camper, this is an excellent way to test your survival skills and explore the wilderness.
Mountain and Road Biking
Unlike long hikes through the woods, biking allows you to cover more ground and travel farther in nature. Mountain biking typically involves riding up and down steep slopes, between trees, and over rocks. If this sounds too intense or your tires aren’t suited for rugged terrain(地形), consider taking a road bike on paved trails through forest preserves or along country roads.
Gardening
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to travel beyond your own backyard to experience the beauty of nature every day. If your personality is less adventurous or your mobility is restricted, consider planting a garden to grow your own vegetables, fruits, herbs, or flowers. There’s something truly satisfying about mixing up a salad with fresh ingredients you grew yourself. One of the best parts about spending time in nature is that it doesn’t have to break your budget and anyone can do it.
1. What does hiking need for hikers?A.A world map. | B.A strong desire. |
C.Practical skills. | D.Necessary equipment. |
A.To a backyard. | B.To a forest. |
C.To a mountain. | D.To a distant place. |
A.It’s popular. | B.It saves money. |
C.It’s adventurous. | D.It saves time. |
First of all, the color of the hat should match the color of your skin and hair. For instance, black hats should be avoided if you are dark skinned. If a purple hat is placed on top of red hair, one will look as attractive as a summer flower. Second, the height of the hat is also an important point. Tall women should not go for hats with tall crowns, just as short women should choose hats with upturned brims to give the look of height. Third, and most importantly, the shape of the face decides the kind of hat one should pick. A small, gentle hat that fits the head looks good on a small face. However, women with big, round faces should choose a different style.
As the saying goes, “Fine feathers make fine birds.” A good hat can not only help your dress but also support your features, so why not choose the best possible one next time you want to be in public?
1. What does the underlined word “harsh” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?
A.good | B.strange | C.poor | D.different |
A.A big-faced woman who wears a small, nice hat. |
B.A short red-haired woman who wears a purple hat. |
C.A tall woman who wears a hat with a huge upturned brim. |
D.A small dark-skinned woman who wears a black hat with a tall crown. |
A.Hats are worn on the head to keep warm. |
B.Hats can help you look better in public. |
C.Hats are not as important as character. |
D.Hats can make you look much taller. |
A.How to Show Your Social Position | B.How to Improve Your Features |
C.How to Choose a Proper Hat | D.How to Design a Nice Hat |
【推荐3】I’m learning to drive in Switzerland. I think it will be a good idea to learn now, because I have plenty of free time and I have earned a little money to pay for lessons. I never learnt when I lived in the UK, so luckily driving on the “wrong” side isn’t a problem.
However, there are a lot of rules to remember. When you see a road to your right and there are no white lines on the ground, the cars to your right have the right to go before your car and you have to stop for them. In practice, lots of people forget this and either wait for each other while both drivers try to remember what to do, or beep (鸣喇叭) at each other if both try to go at the same time!
When you drive round a roundabout, you should check all your mirrors. To remember how to do this, I often count them aloud—one, two, three—then a second glance at my blind spot when I’m in the roundabout. One friend came driving with me and after about an hour asked why on earth I was counting. He had passed his test so long ago,but he couldn’t remember ever having to check three mirrors!
Driving still seems scary to me so I drive quite slowly. I also don’t know the countryside roads very well and don’t know what’s coming up round the corner or over the next hill. I drive slowly so I feel safe, but my driving instructor tells me to speed up or cars will bump into me from behind when trying to drive through a dangerous place. So driving slowly is just as dangerous as driving fast!
I’m not a very practical person, so learning to drive has been a challenge. I don’t have a lot of confidence and find it quite demotivating to do something that doesn’t come naturally to me. To make driving more fun and interesting, I learn in Swiss German, so my instructor gives me instructions in Swiss. This way I’ve tricked myself into enjoying driving and hopefully I will pass the test!
1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?A.It isn’t a proper time for the author to take driving lessons now. |
B.Driving on the “wrong” side doesn’t influence the author. |
C.The author is too poor to pay for driving lessons in Switzerland. |
D.It is easy for the author to get confused about the driving rules in Switzerland. |
A.to remind himself to check the mirrors | B.to speed up |
C.to drive through a dangerous place | D.to make driving more interesting |
A.Encouraging. | B.Amazing. |
C.Exciting. | D.Discouraging. |