"Music is more portable than ever before, but we haven't really changed the way we listen to it yet."
That's how I opened my recent interview with Andreas Haase, the Chief Creative Officer at Raptor Creative. I got in touch with the creators of the OMO+ (Optical Musical Object) to learn more about the future of audio and the ways it's being innovated.
While it looked like 3D sound would be the future of audio back in 2014, there hasn't been a huge reaction to the existing 3D sound projects.
As our technology and ability to carry music with us grows, it seems we've hit a plateau in finding new ways to enjoy it. Innovative, wallet-friendly options in audio are limited. It's time for an audio update.
Haase says he's been a product developer for more than 20 years, getting his start with major companies like AT&T, Whirlpool, Motorola, Alienware, and GE before branching out onto his own as an entrepreneur with big goals and ambitions.
I asked about his mission at Raptor Creative, the brains behind the OMO+:
"It isn't just about innovative design, but bringing eco-friendly and cost-effective products to the market which are functional and profitable."
Andreas was excited to tell me what he imagines audio could be: functional, useful, and part of the party.
"The OMO+ is a speaker and more, designed to connect to Android and iOS phones through Bluetooth technology and float in the water, sit on a table, or hang on the wall. It's waterproof and can be submerged by up to 3 feet (1 meter) of water. It has a control interface (also waterproof) to change the volume, play, pause, and even skip a song."
And the pièce de résistance: The moving light show that syncs to the beat of the music.
If you don't want your phone in your pocket while you exercise, relax, or move around wildly, Andreas says "you're covered." I imagine leaving my phone in a safe spot and bringing this thing everywhere -- if you inadvertently get it wet or it starts to rain, it won't be damaged (this is the part where I sadly remember the dozens of phones I've washed, flushed, or otherwise drowned by accident).
And for the audiophiles: Andreas notes the device has high quality, uncompressed sound that will do your music justice.
Awesome, right? But hold your horses: The OMO+ isn't technically on the market just yet. Haase recently created a Kickstarter campaign to fund it, and they're shooting for $50K.
I'm excited for some innovation in audio and the sweet thought of never drowning another phone in my quest for music. Special thanks to Andreas for taking the time to talk to me!