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Noise Machine Makes Awkward Conversations Slightly Less So

by Abby Seiff on March 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM

noise machineEver try to tell the pharmacist about that weird rash in a hushed tone while the line of people behind you stifles giggles? Embarrassing, right? Fortunately Yamaha, the geniuses behind your player piano and ATV, are rolling out a miniature ambient noise generator this spring to help keep private conversations private. Smaller than a breadbox (honest!), the VPS-1 machine pumps out one of 8 dulcet tones, including two forests and "the sound of crowds." During a trial run in four pharmacies, it was found to mask conversations between 47 and 89 percent of the time. The company envisions it being useful at drug stores, banks, even offices -- any public places where private conversations are forced to take place. Now, about that rash, you should really have a doctor check it out.

Tags: ambient noise, AmbientNoise, newsmain, top, vsp-1, yamaha, Yamaha VSP-1, YamahaVsp-1

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