Atari surprised many with the announcement of its new console, the Ataribox, and honestly we are very interested to know what it can do. However, it's not the only project the company is working on. It also seems to have plans to develop a new line of wearable devices, and the first on its list is Speakerhat. At first glance, it's a cap with the Atari logo on the front, but on the underside of its flat visor it includes two speakers and a microphone compatible with Bluetooth.
The name "Atari" is being repeated with increasing frequency. No, it's not 1978, and the Atari 2600 hasn't returned to the market, but the company has stepped up its moves and has made that clear to the press. Of course, this Atari is very different from the Atari that conquered the video game market and ended up as a fireball after the crisis of '83. Today, "Atari SA" focuses on exploiting its intellectual properties, developing games compatible with mobile devices, and seeking licenses for the Atari brand. Its situation has improved enough to try getting its feet wet with hardware again, which leads us to the Ataribox wrapped in rumors and speculation. But there's more: a cap.
The Speakerhat
Its name is Speakerhat, and to understand the logic behind this product we need to look more closely at the official announcement. Atari has placed a big bet on Blade Runner 2049, the sequel to the historic Blade Runner that will premiere in theaters on October 6. Atari has reached an agreement with NECA, a company dedicated to making action figures and other collectibles related to movies and video games, and within that agreement there will be wearable devices. Speakerhat, which will be manufactured by Audiowear, is the first item in the group, and during the next fall it will be followed by a "special Blade Runner 2049 edition"
The cap includes two speakers and a microphone compatible with Bluetooth, so it also works as "hands-free". Probably the most interesting technical aspect is the "Multiplayer Mode", which theoretically links multiple Speakerhats to listen to a single audio stream in perfect sync. That might gain traction in the e-sports circuit, but I must admit that I'm much more interested in the cap with the logo, without the speakers and microphone.
