Latest news with #Sycamore-W
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
This Unconventional Speaker Gives Smartwatches a More Spacious Interior
Audio manufacturer xMEMS just introduced Sycamore-W, a solid-state speaker designed for smartwatches. With a footprint approximately 70% smaller than that of a conventional speaker, Sycamore-W will free up space inside of smartwatches, leaving more room for sensors, batteries, and other components. I began covering xMEMS when the company's Cypress driver was introduced in 2023. It was an exciting departure from the magnetic coil and cone speaker design that we've used for the last 100-ish years—not only did Sycamore boast a crazy 1mm-thin profile, but it supposedly outperformed conventional speakers in the 5kHz range and offered a super-accurate transient response. This solid-state speaker, which looked like a computer chip (it's on a silicon die), had the potential to improve earbud and headphone audio quality. However, it lacked bass response and had to be paired with a conventional full-range driver or woofer (a technique that brands like Creative have since used to great effect). The original Sycamore speaker debuted about a year after Cypress. Its full-range, open-air design made it an interesting option for wearable devices like smartwatches and smart glasses, which tend to be crammed full of various components due to their small and somewhat awkward size. I got some hands-on time with the Sycamore chip and some hacked-together prototype devices at CES 2025, and the benefits offered by the tech were plainly obvious. I'd gladly have it in a smartwatch. "Sycamore-W is engineered specifically for the unique demands of wrist-based wearables. Its 4mm wide x 1mm thin profile minimizes incursion into the watch cavity, enabling designers with the space to integrate more biometric sensors and larger batteries. Compared to legacy coil speakers that are typically 3 to 4mm thick and weigh up to 3 grams, Sycamore-W's 150mg weight dramatically reduces strain and enhances comfort, both of which are key considerations for wearable devices." But the Sycamore's square shape has (evidently) limited its usefulness in the real world. It's a fine shape for the Apple Watch—check the image at the top of this article to see what I mean—but it's too tall for a smartwatch or fitness tracker with a narrow enclosure. That's why xMEMS is launching the Sycamore-W, which is essentially just an elongated version of the original Sycamore driver. While the original design measured about 9mm tall and 8.5mm wide, this new unit is 4mm wide and 1mm tall. Functionally, the Sycamore-W appears to be identical to the standard Sycamore. It sports the same IP58 dust and water-resistance rating and boasts "superior audio performance" with zero phase delay. I assume that there are minor differences in output volume and bass response, but xMEMS hasn't mentioned any differences. Select brands can now order samples of the xMEMS Sycamore, with volume production and sales planned for mid-2026. Interestingly, xMEMS says that it's preparing to announce additional "Sycamore family variants" later this year. These variants will focus on other device categories, presumably things like VR headsets and AR glasses. Source: xMEMS
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
xMEMS Unveils Sycamore-W – The World's Thinnest Speaker Engineered for Smart Watches and Fitness Bands
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--xMEMS Labs, the leader in piezoMEMS audio innovation and creators of the world's first all-silicon micro speakers, today announced Sycamore-W, a new addition to the company's Sycamore near-field MEMS speaker family, engineered for smart watches, fitness bands, and other wrist-worn wearables. Following the successful debut of the original Sycamore µSpeaker in late 2024, Sycamore-W extends xMEMS' commitment to µFidelity™ audio in space-constrained mobile form factors. Measuring just 1 millimeter thin in a 20 x 4mm form factor, Sycamore-W reduces speaker package volume by 70%, enabling dramatically slimmer, sleeker form factors while delivering high-quality, full-range sound. 'Sycamore-W redefines audio for smart watches, combining compact design with robust performance to meet the demands of next-generation wearables,' said Mike Housholder, xMEMS VP of Marketing and Business Development. 'As the wrist becomes a key interface for ears-free, hands-free AI interactions, Sycamore-W empowers manufacturers to deliver premium audio in smaller, lighter, more durable devices.' Optimized for Wrist-Worn Devices Sycamore-W is engineered specifically for the unique demands of wrist-based wearables. Its 4mm wide x 1mm thin profile minimizes incursion into the watch cavity, enabling designers with the space to integrate more biometric sensors and larger batteries. Compared to legacy coil speakers that are typically 3 to 4mm thick and weigh up to 3 grams, Sycamore-W's 150mg weight dramatically reduces strain and enhances comfort, both of which are key considerations for wearable devices. Silicon Durability and Rugged Design This new solution maintains the same solid-state durability xMEMS speakers are known for, with component-level IP58-rated protection and robust 10,000 g mechanical shock resistance. These qualities make it ideal for active lifestyle wearables and outdoor-oriented smartwatches and fitness bands. Sycamore-W measures 20 x 4 x 1.28mm. Samples are available now to early access customers, with volume production slated for Q2 2026. The original Sycamore µSpeaker will continue to serve broader applications, including smart glasses, open-fit earbuds, and laptops, while additional Sycamore family variants tailored to other specific applications will be announced later this year. For more information about Sycamore and xMEMS visit and for hi-res imagery click here. About xMEMS Labs, Inc. Founded in January 2018, xMEMS Labs is the 'X' factor in MEMS with the world's most innovative piezoMEMS platform. It invented the world's first solid-state, True MEMS µFidelity speakers for TWS, near-field OWS, and other personal audio devices, and evolved its substantial IP to produce the world's first μCooling fan on a chip for smartphones and other thin, performance-oriented devices. xMEMS has over 245 granted patents worldwide for its technology. For more information, visit
Engadget
13-05-2025
- Business
- Engadget
xMEMS launches a tiny speaker for smartwatches
xMEMS has launched the Sycamore-W, which it claims is the "world's thinnest speaker designed specifically for wrist-worn wearables." The Sycamore-W is only 1 mm thin and weighs only 150 mg, making it approximately 70 percent smaller than the speakers typically used for smart watches. xMEMS took the micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology used in cell phones' microphones and developed drivers based on it for use in earphones instead. Last year, it launched the Sycamore speakers, based on the same platform as its original product, for open-fit earbuds, smart glasses and smart watches. While the original Sycamore could already be used in smartwatches, the Sycamore-W was engineered specifically for wrist-based wearables. Since it's very thin, companies can fit larger batteries or more biometric sensors into their products. The speakers are also water, dust and shock-resistant. "Sycamore-W redefines audio for smart watches, combining compact design with robust performance to meet the demands of next-generation wearables," said Mike Housholder, xMEMS VP of Marketing and Business Development. "As the wrist becomes a key interface for ears-free, hands-free AI interactions, Sycamore-W empowers manufacturers to deliver premium audio in smaller, lighter, more durable devices." The company is planning to start volume production for the Sycamore-W in the second quarter of 2026, so we won't be seeing products that use the component until sometime next year. xMEMS will continue producing the original Sycamore speakers for smart glasses, open-fit earbuds and laptops, but it will announce more models for more specific applications in the coming months.
