Kyocera piezoelectric film speaker delivers 180degree sound to
thin TVs and tablets update live photos  The thinner our devices
become, the less room there is for speakers and other thicker
components. Kyocera has a solution, however: it just modified
its Smart Sonic Receiver conduction technology for use with
conventional, over-the-air audio. The company's new Smart Sonic
Sound device still relies on a piezoelectric actuator, but
vibrates against a film to generate as much volume as a regular
speaker in a far thinner (under 1.5mm thick) design. The new
speaker might even sound better than its traditional
counterparts. It delivers full volume and quality in a
180-degree listening arc, and it's responsive enough to recreate
very subtle noises. Smart Sonic Sound is already shipping in
LG's 55-inch curved OLED TV, and Kyocera expects it to reach
laptops, tablets and other devices where interior space is
valuable.  Update: Our colleagues at Engadget Japanese have
posted their first-hand look at Kyocera's speaker