Nokia's CEO Pekka Lundmark recently made a phone call utilizing a cutting-edge technology known as “immersive audio and video.” This innovation aims to enhance call quality by introducing a three-dimensional effect, making the listening experience more lifelike. The demonstration was conducted with Stefan Lindström, Finland’s Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies.
Nokia anticipates their 3D calling technology will soon set the industry standard. They are urging network providers, chipset manufacturers, and handset makers to adopt and integrate this immersive calling feature into their products.
A Step Towards Realistic Communication
The objective of this new technology mirrors Google’s Project Starline, albeit with fewer prerequisites. The CEO's demonstration showcased the future of voice communication, akin to his participation during the introduction of 2G calling.
For years, the core technology and output of voice calls have remained mostly unchanged. Initially, calls employed heavy compression to minimize file size for transmission. Despite the current infrastructure's capability to handle high-quality, multi-channel audio, we still rely on monophonic systems. Nokia’s 3D audio-based immersive calling represents a significant advancement in calling technology.
A Leap in Live Voice Calling
Nokia's innovation will not only enhance auditory experience but also allow users to visualize the caller's environment. “It is the biggest leap forward in the live voice calling experience since the introduction of monophonic telephony audio used in smartphones and PCs today,” stated Jenni Lukander, Nokia’s president.
This new calling method's advantage lies in its simplicity; it doesn’t necessitate special audio equipment to experience the 3D effect. A stereo microphone setup, common in most modern smartphones, is sufficient to create this immersive experience.
Practical Demonstration and Future Prospects
For those concerned about transmission, the demonstration used a standard 5G-enabled smartphone. As shown in the image above, CEO Pekka Lundmark was holding a Pixel device. Besides one-on-one calls, this immersive technology can also be applied to conference calls.
Nokia plans to license this new technology and make it publicly accessible within a few years.
