Hi All!
I was referred to this amazing site by one of your members Justin (drummer0608)
I myself am not blind, but I have invented a product that blind iOS users like Justin are getting really excited about. He urged that I share here.
My name is Anthony Mattana. For the last 5 years I've worked as a professional sound designer and composer in NYC. Now I am the founder and creator of Hooke Audio and have always been fascinated by binaural audio. For those that don't know, binaural audio is recorded audio captured identically to the way the human ear experiences sound. The result is a two channel recording that makes any listener with a pair of headphones feel like they are there. How cool is that?!
There haven't been any products out there that let a user record binaural audio to their iphones, so I decided to invent one! I combined binaural recording technology into a pair of wireless headphones. It's called the Hooke Verse. Hooke Audio is my company. Hooke is both a playback and capturing device, capable of playing music AND recording 3D Audio. Check out my site here: www.hookeaudio.com and our youtube channel here to hear our 3d recordings captured with Hooke: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBRvQgL46ga9WmgFyTFxNCg
I hope to bring binaural recording to all by making storytelling as easy as unlocking your iOS device!
Would love to hear what you guys think of my product and would be happy to answer any questions you might have! Right now we are manufacturing the headphones. You can pre order via our website. They are set to ship late this summer.
Thank you!
Anthony
Comments
I just want to say, I'm
I just want to say, I'm loving the tweets. You guys are awsome and are doing a cool job in promoting the release of what should be a revolutionarry product.
Take care to all and be blessed.
Hi all. I'm just wondering,
Hi all. I'm just wondering, how much will this cost? If you, Anthony, need testers, I'd be glad to test the hardware and software. I'd also like this to work with computers, like the mac and such, I'm sure the Mac supports recording in binaural audio.
using voice-over while recording?
Hello Anthony,
I have a question:
Is it possible to use voice-over while making recordings with the hooke?
Regards
Unable to order in UK
Hi. I've tried to order from the UK using the link you provided but it gives me several errors related to the carrier. I've copied the text which JAWS reads to me exactly in case it helps. Shipping options require your zip/postal code to estimate.
The zip code you entered is not valid.
All products in this cart are missing weight information.
A method is unavailable because all items violate carrier limits.
Something went wrong reaching the shipping carrier for estimates. I can't wait to receive mine.
beta testing
If beta testers are still needed I would love to take part. This product sounds great, I'm sure it will be popular!
Twitter @lorna808 or Facebook.com/lorna808
The price is about $150 plus
The price is about $150 plus shipping. I think I paid about $160 for the hardware. I preordered in June so cant' wait. I'm really excited and impressed by what I'm hearing on the recordings.
Is there a release date yet?
I haven't heard about a release date. I will probably get it, but I want to hear info from Applevis and its usability before I do.
I've been looking at their
I've been looking at their twitter feed and they are constantly improving the product, and taking this thing to conventions and stuff. The release date I think is set for fall which is coming up soon.
It sounds amazing and I already pre-ordered mine.
@DevinPrater: Right now you
@DevinPrater: Right now you can pre order Hooke via our website www.hookeaudio.com for $139! They'll jump up to $189 once we launch later this year. Right now our beta tester list is SUPER long but I'll add your name to it and let ya know if anything frees up. Thanks!
@Falco, yes we are working to make voice-over function alongside Hooke. This feature may not be in our first app release, but it is something we are working to accomplish!
@PeterHoldstock: that problem should be fixed now! We changed the way the pre order screen pops up. Try now and let me know? We have had some issues with Australian cc in the past. Just an FYI
@Lorna808 I'll add ya to the list!
@KE7ZUM thanks for noticing :-) We have a really cool "How to Use Hooke" Instructional video coming out in the next few weeks which I think will be super helpful.
Thanks all!
Anthony
Very cool very cool. I can't
Very cool very cool. I can't wait. I follow your twitter account on both my personal and my podcast twitter. You guys are awsome.
Take care and happy Wednesday.
Accessibility?
Hello Anthony and all,
I don't wish to rain on your parade, but I have some potential accessibility concerns with your product.
First, there seems to be an accessibility issue with the pre-ordering process on your website. What steps are being taken to insure your website meets WCAG Web Content Accessibility Guidelines?
Second, what steps are being taken to make sure the iOS app accompanying the product will be accessible with VoiceOver?
Thanks,
Darrell
@Darrell, when did you try
@Darrell, when did you try ordering through the site? I recently completed changes asked to made by a member of your community and last I heard everything was working fine and meeting guidelines. What are you noticing is wrong?
Website Accessibility
Hello Anthony,
I had initially tried ordering on Monday, July 6, when I had some problems. Admittedly, I was accessing your website using Safari on iOS 8.3 at the time.
I tried again from a Windows computer a few minutes ago, and it seems to be working fine.
Thanks! I think I'm going to do this!
so I can use voiceover and let hooke record in teh background?
HI Anthony,
Nice to read that I can use Hooke while I'm using voice-over.
So it means I can surf on the internet and let Hooke record the sounds around me in the background?
limitations
Given apple's 10 minute limitation of applications taking up processing power, I would keep an eye on that. I think the apps if they are not doing anything will, or should, close down after 10 minutes but some apps even when they are running stop working after 10 minutes to save both processing and battery power as well. I'd suggest keeping an eye on that once we ge the app working.
It's nice to know that accessibelity will be worked on in the app, however, can it be worked on from the get go? it would make things much easier in the long run. Plus, it would leave less to do as well.
I would also love to be part
I would also love to be part of the beta testing process, assuming a slot opens up at some point. I preordered several weeks ago and eagerly await the headphones. I do software development and accessibility testing as part of my day job, and I've been into binaural recording for the past ten years with, admittedly, an amateur set of tools. Hoping for a real game changer here.
Thanks,
Steve
Hooke and The Blind Community On The Observer!
Hey All! Thought I'd share, Justin and I were recently featured in an incredible article by the New York Observer on Hooke and it's benefits to the blind community.
http://observer.com/2015/08/hooke-audio-verse-camcorder-for-the-blind/
status?
Any new developments on this project? Links are good to external resources, but an update on the forum topic itself would be appreciated!
I've been reading
I've been reading theirtwitter account. They're close. Very very close. They've been showing the product off at conferences and conventions etc. Hopefully next year they could show up at the nfb and ACB conventions. Just a thought.
Hey All! The plan still is to
Hey All! The plan still is to be shipping at the end of this year. We're manufacturing overseas and it's such a freaking blackhole that anything could happen, but I'm not worried. Tooling is complete which is a HUGE undertaking. Essentially now that that is complete it's just testing and certifications. The factory just sent me pics of a sample made from tooling (not 3D printed) and it looks INCREDIBLE. I should be getting it end of this week. All things are good, we're getting there! Thank you so much for the support.
Nice nice nice I can't wait.
Nice nice nice I can't wait. and I'm sure not the only one who is probably thinking this right now. Lol! Thanks for the progress report.
Any news about this project?
Hello,
I placed a pre-order a few months ago... Is there any news about production and shipping of hooke?
Regards
Looks like it's almost here.
Looks like it's almost here. From the twitter account.
#Hooke #Verse Is Almost Here - Are You Ready? https://t.co/v8K3bsgfnS
#binaural #3d #audio #recording #microphones #headphones #VR #AR
I better pre order soon
from the sound of it, it's a fantastic microphone!!! I better pre order soon!!! I have another bluetooth headphones, but the microphone isn't stereo, it's mono. I will however take a look at the mike and order when I have the time. @AnthonyM and the team are working so hard on this product, I was just listening to the audio recordings over youtube, and I cannot believe my ears!
You could, but I'm still
You could, but I'm still waiting for the status on twitter. They are showing it, but since they are having issue with apple's api so I remember, it looks like no one will be getting theirh devices yet. I hope we do, as I was hoping to do some stuff with it this year.
Update
Hey All!
Thanks for keeping on this. Things have been really crazy over the holidays and I finally have some time to catch up!
The headsets are complete, they're packaged and ready to ship. Unfortunately Apple is getting in the way of our mission to bring this revolutionary product to market. We are currently going through MFI (made for iPhone) certification right now which is taking longer than expected. As you might have heard, Apple is planning to remove the headphone jack in their new iPhone. Because of this they have been auditing all headphone factories around the world making sure they are “apple certified”. You can read all about it here:
http://blog.hookeaudio.com/hooke-blog1/2015/12/16/think-different-the-trojan-horse-that-lets-apple-reign
Because of this delay and Chinese New Year, we are now expecting to ship in April of this year. Trust me when I say there is no one more frustrated by this process than me right now. The headsets are ready, but Apple is to blame. What we are doing is very very hard, it's a pretty groundbreaking technology that has required a lot of new innovation. With any great innovation you experience delays you could have never anticipated. Know that I am working around the clock to have these completed and there is no one that wants these more than me! I really appreciate your patience as we work to bring this groundbreaking technology to market! Please let me know if you have any questions at any time.
Best,
Anthony
will it work for iPhone 5s? and will...
hi @AnthonyM I'm so looking forward to these earphones! I have 2 questions though: first, will it work with my iPhone 5s, and if I pre ordered the earphones, will I be the first to receive them as soon as they start shipping? and one more thing, will it work with all voice recording apps?
Um, guys, are you still
Um, guys, are you still selling this? How much for the iPhone verssion? I just bought an IRig MicField for 90 bucks, and it sucked. The reason it did was because it wouldn't fit on my phone unless the case was off the phone. So I'm sending it back and want Hoke Aueio really bad!
They are still selling it
They are still selling it according to what I heard on this post and their blog and twitter. They are working with apple with some certification thing. Read more on this forum post and their blog.
I'm wonderinj...
So will they be Bluetooth or actually 3 mm even if Apple removes the jack? I'm 39ping eit3"r, b"`aus" I don't like taking off my case because I can't fit the jack and th" microp3one. They a6" ea61-~s, o6 overear headphones?
Responses!
@djmacradio Yes, Hooke Verse will work with your 5s. There are a lot of others who have ordered before you, should you choose to pre order now. I would expect a summer delivery if you were to pre order now (that is the schedule we are working on currently). The headphones will not record to other voice recording smartphone apps at the moment, that would require Android and iOS to incorporate our custom bluetooth firmware natively. We feel it can happen, will just take time.
@Ken Downey yep, still accepting pre orders! You can pre order at www.hookeaudio.com - pre order price is $139.99. Smartphone app for recording is free :-)
@KE7ZUM Thanks for helping out :-)
@Mitchell, Hooke Verse is a bluetooth headphone, no cable for wired listening. Thanks!!
It will be bluetooth with a
It will be bluetooth with a dongle. This is why they are having issues. They need to certify something with apple. You can read more about their blog as I'm not very knoledgable about this stuff.
AnthonyM, very welcome. I
AnthonyM, very welcome. I just happen to get an email in my inbox saying there was a new message from this thread. Not trying to take your thunder away, I can't do that, just helping out where help is wanted. I can't wait for these, so excited, if apple cooperates that is.
Shipping?
So it will be shipping hopefully in Summer? @AnthonyM
Audit Passed! Added wire recording option
Great news! Factory passed the audit and I had an incredibly productive meeting with the head of Apple MFi last week. We outlined all the technical features our Hooke Verse needs to have in order to pass MFi, so we're well on our way towards submitting the application to Apple at the end of this month. It's pretty insane how many guidelines apple makes you follow in order to properly cooperate. Even more insane to see how many they've added just in the last year. But all things are looking good right now. Also, we took this time during waiting on the certifications to make the PCB board stronger, faster and more efficient. Plus, now the headset is capable of wired recordings from the micro USB jack. I'll update you all once I hear back from MFi (still may be a couple of months) but we're still on track for a Summer '16 delivery. Thanks all!
Will it be compatible with the apple watch? if yes, I might end
Hey @AnthonyM good to here that you've added the hardwire option on the headphones. will it be compatible with the apple watch? if yes, I might end up purchasing the headphones probably for my birthday, once I save the money. or not, who knows. please keep us posted when we are near to release!
updates?
hey @AnthonyM haven't herd from you regarding the updates. well I got my apple watch this easter and loving it. will the product still be shipping this summer? if yes, will it be available after my birthday? I hope so. I would really like the microphone. I have a zoom iq5 microphone, but I might replace it with the hookeverse.
re: updates
I've been talking with the developer, and I don't want to say much, but I'll just say I'm very excited. And happy birthday if the product arrives in your mailbox by then.
Actually it'll be for my...
@ke7zum actually it'll be for my graduation gift. my mother will pre-order it this joon.
Sweet! Congratulations on
Sweet! Congratulations on that, and that will be cool! Let's hope one day it can work with the apple watch for those of us who have such a device. We'll see I guess.
thanks for that
@ke7zum thanks for that. I sure hope it does. I'll be happy if it does work with my apple watch. ferther more, I wish I worked with Zello. even better, I wish the Zello app added stereo audio transimitions.
status?
Anyone have any status on this technology? I know a bunch of us pre-ordered, and some of us are beta testing. So, what's up. The iPhone 7 has ben released, so my thinking is that hooke have submitted the paper work to apple and they approved the technology. I tried sending them a dm a few ays ago but have not heard a ting which to me is kind of odd. If something broke I'd love to know it. My fear is those of us who pre-ordered won't get ourproducts. I'm quite surprised they took the money before shipping. As a business I would not have done this. I'm sure those of us on the kick starter thing are also wondering what's up. I'm not a part of that group, but still.
same thing
I'm wondering the same thing.
i hope you guys get refunds if things don't work
I hope you guys get refunds if things don't work out. I am absolutely certain that the guys doing this are not bad people, but Apple can be really difficult at times, so I hope they didn't bite off more than they could chew. I have to be honest...I absolutely wouldn't have pre-ordered either. I need to know a product is out there, being used by the masses and is getting good reviews before i even consider shelling out cash. That's just how I roll.
Yeah I don't think they mean
Yeah I don't think they mean harm eather. I saw stuff produced by hooke audio in stores, they produce head phones and stuff. I don't think the android people got theirs eather, so I guess we'll see.
Hooke Update
Hey All!
Anthony here, founder of Hooke Audio. I appreciate you reaching out and I'm sorry it's taking a bit longer than expected to deliver Hooke Verses.
We’ve experienced some delays in manufacturing due to Apple. We’re moving along! Just a bit slower than anticipated. They are forcing us to receive an MFi certification (made for iPhone) in order to have our app in the app store. This is taking us longer than anticipated because of all the hoops we’re jumping through. It started when they forced us to implement a 3 button array (you know, like the one on the iPhone headphones, volume up/down power on/off) which is totally ludicrous. We specifically designed all volume controls to be accessed via the phone just like a field recorder. But they were forcing it on us. Last month I submitted an official “exception request” asking Apple to allow us to deviate from the spec in order to have our accessory approved. The world has never seen a product like this so it has been a lot for them to comprehend. Just this week I received word that the exception WOULD be approved IF we removed “hands free calling” functionality from the headset. So I am currently working on that.
We know it feels frustrating, we are just as frustrated. Know we are doing everything we can and it will be worth the wait!
The wait on certifications has allowed us to add some serious features to the Hooke Verse though!
New PCB & Wired Recordings
During these past few months of waiting on Apple, I decided to put it to good use. Before the end of last year I felt there could be some minor changes to the PCB. I was also curious to find a new way of making wired recordings on the Hooke Verse possible. You'll be very happy to hear that we have entirely overhauled the PCB in these off months and will now be shipping Hooke Verse with a brand new PCB that will improve antennae performance, playback quality, battery life AND make wired recordings. It's very hard to ensure the best PCB design for a revolutionary product like this until you actually have it in your hands to test with. These months have allowed us the time to adjust (for better or for worse) and deliver a product that is even better than before.
Hooke Verse Cable
The cable will be included free of charge with your shipment. To make wired recordings on the Hooke Verse possible, we had to completely custom design a cable. The Hooke Verse has one micro USB jack that is used for charging the headset. Now with this custom cable you can plug it in to that same micro USB jack and put the headset into audio output mode. But seriously, it gets better. On the other end of that cable is a 10 pin mini USB jack for recording straight to GoPro cameras and a stereo 3.5mm jack for recording to pretty much anything else. An analog to digital converter lives inside the cable retractor making this cable lightweight, portable and incredibly easy to use. Now Hooke Verse is capable of recording binaural 3d audio on truly any device you throw at it.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your patience and support as we bring this revolutionary product to market. We would never take your money and not deliver! I am here should you have any questions along the way.
Thank you for supporting Hooke Audio,
Anthony Mattana
re: update
Wo! Sounds cool. I can't wait Thank so much for the update. Sorry I and others have ben sounding so naggy. Now, about the software, did your team have a chance to work with accessibility to make sure it is 100 percent usable for VI users in order for us to have a totally hands free thing without being too frustrated? That's the next question
Again, thanks for the update.
If I don't have a hooke verse, can the app still be used with...
Hi @AnthonyM thanks for informing us about this. I'm looking forward to testing the app once it's available in the app store. If I don't have a hooke verse, can the app still be used with other stereo microphones? for example, I have a zoom IQ 5 microphone that hooks up to the lightning port on your iPhone. can the app work with it? also, will the app include a monitoring function that will let you monitor while recording as will as vibrations to inform a user that the level is too high and your clopping? let me know. kthanks again for the update, and let us know when the app goes Live.
also, I would like the hooke verse to test but...
Hi @AnthonyM I forgot to mention that I would like the HookeVerse to test, but it caust too much money and this august was my birthday, and my birthday wish is to have my very own HookeVerse to test for free. could you make that hapin? I saw some recordings on youtube, and I am actually a podcaster. I actually subscribed to your youtube channel! Please hit me up on this forum. cannot wait!
Responses
@KE7ZUM No apology necessary. We are as excited as you are to release this groundbreaking technology! To answer your question, yes we continue to work with our blind beta testers to make Hooke Verse completely 100% accessible when operating on iOS and Android. One feature we have added recently is the ability to stop and start a recording by simply pressing the button on the Hooke Verse.
@djmacradio I haven't tested on IQ 5 specifically. But if the microphone is set up to override the built in mic upon plugging in and you can use it with native iOS apps like voice memos and camera, then yes the app should be able to work with it. If you have an Android device, you could test on our Android app which is currently available (tho still in BETA mode): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hooke.audio.app&hl=en We are working on a vibrating feature for audio clipping, more to come.