Bzzzzzzzzzz. Bzzzz-zz. Bzz. Bzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-zz-zzz-zzzzz. Bzzzzzzz.
If you’re a smartphone user, there’s a sporting chance you’re quite familiar with the annoying electro-buzz-sound I’ve attempted to recreate in words (err, letters) above.
You know, that annoying angry-bee noise that emits from speakers, or gadgets with speakers, whenever you place your handheld close enough to them.
Nearly three years ago, I penned a piece in which I examined this frustrating phenomenon that I’ve not-so-affectionately dubbed the “BlackBerry Buzz.” Before I go on, I’ll reiterate a message I put forth in that original story: “[R]egardless of the title of this blog post, the buzzing speaker issue is by no means caused only by BlackBerrys.”
I used the term “BlackBerry Buzz” because I’m a BlackBerry user first and foremost, and as such, I associate the noise with my BlackBerry. But my iPhone will also invoke the dreaded buzz, as will various other gadgets that use radio frequency (RF) technologies.
I’m not going to explain all over again the hows and whys of the BlackBerry Buzz—you can read my older post for that. But I’m curious if you long-time BlackBerry users have also noticed that the issue appears to be improving…or at least I think it is.
Sure. I might have become “desensitized,” and I could just be mentally blocking out the noise like city-folk do police sirens. But I don’t think that’s the case. I used to notice the BlackBerry Buzz most often in conference rooms when multiple people placed their smartphones on tables in close proximity to speaker-phones. If you’ve ever been in a meeting and heard the BlackBerry Buzz, you know it’s difficult to ignore.
Have speaker- and/or audio-accessory makers attempted to lessen this issue by using stronger “RF-shielding” materials in their wares? Or are the smartphones themselves the cause of the lessened buzz? My bet is on the speakers getting bolstered shielding, though I’d still assume cheaper speakers have less-effective, if any, shielding.
But I’m interested in your take. Is the BlackBerry Buzz still an issue for you? Are you noticing the annoying buzz less than you used to? Please let me know by voting in the poll below.
AS
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Author: asacco, Managing Editor
Al Sacco was a journalist, blogger and editor who covers the fast-paced mobile beat for CIO.com and IDG Enterprise, with a focus on wearable tech, smartphones and tablet PCs. Al managed CIO.com writers and contributors, covered news, and shared insightful expert analysis of key industry happenings. He also wrote a wide variety of tutorials and how-tos to help readers get the most out of their gadgets, and regularly offered up recommendations on software for a number of mobile platforms. Al resides in Boston and is a passionate reader, traveler, beer lover, film buff and Red Sox fan.
