News + Trends
Transparent, with an integrated speaker and RGB lighting – the mask revolution?
by Raphael Knecht
LG equips its air-purifying mask with microphone and speaker
23.7.2021
Translation: Eva Francis
LG has launched an improved version of its high-tech face mask that’s designed to solve a problem. Which one? That wearing a mask makes it harder for others to understand what you’re saying. As LG has announced, the new product will be available in August.
LG introduced its mouth and nose mask that goes by the somewhat bulky name «PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier» a year ago. The mask with built-in fans and replaceable filters (here’s the product on the official LG store) was obviously a sales success, despite or perhaps because of its price tag of around 130 francs.
However, the Corona pandemic alone can’t be the reason why LG has announced an updated version of the mask, as tech magazine «The Verge» suspects in its article. More than anything else, air pollution in Asian countries is likely to have fuelled the demand for the air-purifying mask. Therefore, the improved version is to be launched in Thailand first, before other countries will follow. Nothing is known about the price of the mask yet.
Razer and LG competing
According to LG, the mask features a smaller and quieter motor than its predecessor. Built-in microphones and speakers are designed to amplify the wearers' words. With this, LG intends to solve a problem when wearing masks: that they muffle the volume when speaking and make it more difficult for others to understand what someone’s saying. A new technology is now said to automatically detect when the mask wearer is speaking and activate the loudspeakers at the right time. As reports suggest, the 94-gram mask is powered by a built-in 1000 mAh battery.
LG isn’t the only supplier of masks that feature built-in tech components – unlike the fabric masks that are common in this country. Razer, better known for producing gaming peripherals, also presented a mask with voice amplification technology last year. Their mask also features RGB lighting.
The Razer mask – marketed as «Project Hazel» – is expected to go on sale in the fourth quarter of this year, which is October 2021. However, it will probably only be available directly via the Razer website, where you have to register for the sales launch.
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
Beauty
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Health
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
19 comments
later