Google acquires Redux

Alphabet’s Google acquired Redux, in August 2017, a firm that uses vibrations to turn displays into speaker. Redux which raised $5 million in March 2017, a funding backed by Arie Capital. Redux creates products and bespoke systems that enable high-resolution haptic feedback and speaker less surround audio as it eliminates the need for small speakers in smarphones, freeing up space for batteries or other vital components.

Only last April, Redux announced it had developed “panel audio technology”, to replace smartphone speakers with sound coming directly from the screen, and also launched haptics effects to give users the feeling of buttons under their touchscreens.

Redux stated in its announcement “Redux overcomes practical limitations of where to put buttons for earpiece speakers and opens up new design possibilities – from the exterior design to the user interface”.

Redux’s technology is big news for Pixel phones, stereo sounds coming directly from the screens could make the phone look and sound slicker and customers nostalgic for buttons and physical keyboards will spring for the improved haptic feedback. It also removes the gaps that speakers and buttons create, paving the way for fully waterproof devices and could even enable the bezel-less screen.

Redux’s impressive hardware and software is second to none including Apple and Amazon and Google needed this badly to be on top.