Kingston Introduces Next-gen XTS-AES 256-bit Hardware- Encrypted USB Drive

 

Kingston Introduces Next-gen XTS-AES 256-bit Hardware- Encrypted USB Drive

 

• FIPS 197 Certification by NIST

• Brute Force Password and BadUSB Attack Protection
• Multi-Password Support with Complex/Passphrase Modes

 

Fountain Valley, CA – March 16, 2026 – Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announced the launch of the next-generation IronKey™ Locker+ 50 G2 (LP50 G2) hardware-encrypted USB flash drive. The drive provides enterprise-grade security with FIPS 197 and AES 256-bit hardware encryption in XTS mode. It also safeguards against BadUSB with digitally signed firmware and against Brute Force password attacks.

LP50G2 features a premium space grey metal casing and supports both Admin and User passwords with options for Complex or Passphrase modes. Complex mode allows 6–16 character passwords using at least three of four character sets. Passphrase mode supports PINs, sentences, word lists, or other memorable phrases from 10–64 characters. Admin can enable or reset User passwords as needed. To aid in password entry, the “eye” symbol can be enabled to reveal the typed-in password, reducing typos leading to failed login attempts. Brute Force password attacks protection locks the User password after 10 failed password attempts in a row and crypto-erases the drive if the Admin password is entered incorrectly 10 times in a row. Additional safeguards include virtual keyboard to protect against keyloggers and screenloggers and anti-fingerprint coating on the casing which helps with resisting scratches

Designed for everyday convenience, LP50G2 is easy for anyone to setup and use, with no application installation is required . It is compatible with both Windows® and macOS® systems so users can access files from multiple systems.
          “With the LP50G2, the Kingston IronKeyline up is all XTS-AES 256-bit hardware-encrypted with a baseline FIPS 197 certification by a NIST authorized lab,” said Martin Komal, encrypted product manager, Kingston. “In addition, IronKey leads the industry with three best-in-class FIPS 140-3 Level 3 validated drives. This portfolio offers superior data protection solutions designed to meet the specific requirements of consumer, enterprise, and government customers."

Kingston IronKey Locker+ 50 G2 is available in capacities from 32GB – 256GB and is backed by a limited five-year warranty, free technical support and legendary Kingston reliability.

For more information visit kingston.com.

Kingston IronKey Locker+ 50 G2

Part Number	Capacity
IKLP50G2/32GB	32GB IronKey LP50G2
IKLP50G2/64GB	64GB IronKey LP50G2
IKLP50G2/128GB	128GB IronKey LP50G2
IKLP50G2/256GB	256GB IronKey LP50G2

 

Kingston IronKey Locker+ 50 Features and Specifications:

• Enterprise-grade hardware-encrypted USB drive: FIPS 197 Certified, XTS-AES 256-bit hardware encryption safeguards important data with built-in protection against BadUSB & Brute Force password attacks.
• Multi-password option with Complex/Passphrase modes: Admin can reset a User password to restore User’s access to data with either Complex or Passphrase password mode. Passphrases can be a numeric PIN, sentence with space characters, list of words, or even lyrics – from 10 to 64 characters long.
• Additional security features: Reduce failed login attempts and frustration by enabling the “eye” button to view the typed password. LP50G2 has anti-fingerprint coating and a virtual keyboard to shield password entry from keyloggers and screenloggers.
• Key certification: FIPS 197 certified and TAA Compliant
• Interface: USB Type-A
• Standard/Speed¹: USB 3.2 Gen 1, 145MB/s Read, 115MB/s Write
• Capacities²: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
• Dimensions: 60.56mm x 18.6mm x 9.6mm
• Weight: 22.94g
• Casing material: Metal + Plastic
• Operating temperature: 0°C to 50°C
• Storage temperature: -20°C to 85°C
• Minimum system requirements: Two (2) free consecutive drive letters required for use³
• Compatibility: USB 3.0/USB 3.1/USB 3.2 Gen 1
• Warranty/Support: Limited 5-year warranty with free technical support
• Compatible with: Windows® 11, macOS® 13.x -26.x

 

¹ Speed may vary due to host hardware, software and usage. USB 3.2 Gen 1 host device required for optimal speeds.

² Some of the listed capacity on a Flash storage device is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. As such, the actual available capacity for data storage is less than what is listed on the product. For more information go to Kingston's Flash Memory Guide. 

³ First free drive letters after physical devices such as system partition, optical drives, etc.

 

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About Kingston Digital, Inc.

From big data to IoT devices, including laptops, PCs, and wearable technology, Kingston Technology is dedicated to delivering top-tier product solutions, service, and support. Trusted by leading PC manufacturers and global cloud providers, we value our long-term partnerships that help us evolve and innovate. We ensure every solution meets the highest standards by prioritizing quality and customer care. At every step, we listen, learn, and engage with our customers and partners to deliver solutions that make a lasting impact. To learn more about Kingston Technology and our “Built on Commitment” vision, visit Kingston.com.

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Kingston and Kingston logo are registered trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation. IronKey is a registered trademark of Kingston Digital, Inc. Kingston FURY and the Kingston FURY logo are trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

écoute audio debuts the TH2, evolution of the award-winning TH1, at CanJam NYC

New York, NY — March 2026 — At CanJam NYC on March 7-8, écoute audio will debut its most anticipated release to date: the écoute audio TH2. Show attendees will be able to audition both the original, award-winning TH1 and the new TH2 side-by-side.   Anticipation for the TH2 has been building across the hi-fi community. The TH2 raised over $500,000 in preproduction reservations within its first two weeks on Kickstarter and is on pact to surpass $1 million before the campaign concludes on March 12.

The TH1 rewrote the rules— The TH2 perfects the form

Two years ago, écoute introduced the TH1 — the world's first headphone integrating a true vacuum tube preamp and dual-mono amplification. It challenged assumptions about portable hi-fo and earned critical acclaim. Magnetic Magazine awarded it an Editor's Choice distinction, writing:   "These headphones don't sound like headphones. They sound like a reference-grade two-channel system."   The TH1 proved that a proper analog signal chain — vaccum tube gain, discrete amplification, and firmware-level tuning — could exist inside a wearable format without compromising system integrity.   The TH2 advances that architecture with measurable refinements in acoustic performance, noise control, shielding, and ergonomics — while preserving the end-to-end dual-mono signal path from DAC to driver. Unlike conventional system-on-chip headphone platforms, TH2 maintains discrete channel separation and analog gain integrity throughout the signal path.

What's New in the TH2 Same architecture. Greater performance. Deeper bass extension and more extended treble for increased resolution Lower-noise active noise cancellation and more natural transparency Improved passive isolation with reduced bleed Enhanced RF and microphonic shielding around the tube stage and more extended treble Eight-band firmware level-tuning with ±12 dB per band Modular construction with interchangeable pads and headband wraps Redesign chassis and hybrid suspension headband for improved durability and long-term comfort

Portable Hi-Fi Without Compromise The TH2 isn't design to replace your home system — it's designed to let you carry its sound with you. By building the same dual-mono architecture and real vacuum tube gain stage found in serious two-channel rigs directly into a headset, écoute preserves the structure integrity that defines high-end listening.   Whether you're at work, on your commute, or on a plane, it sounds like a full system because it is one.   "I have been involved in audio for over 40 years, and when I heard an early écoute prototype, I was blown away! So I joined the company. Technology should support your real-world needs, not make you conform to the tech itself. at écoute, we engineered a real hi-fi architecture into a wearable form — so wherever you listen, you're not leaving your system behind."   - Andrew Regan, President and Co-founder

Experience TH1 and TH2 at CanJam NYC Visitors to CanJam NYC can audition both the original TH1 and the new TH2 on March 7-8. On the show floor, listeners can evaluate the evolution firsthand — hearing how the TH2 builds thoughtfully on the TH1's foundation while further refining the same dual-mono, tube-driven architecture.

The campaign concludes March 12 https://bit.ly/TH2-Kickstarter

About écoute audio écoute audio is an award-winning high-end headphone company redefining portable hi-fi. As the first company to integrate dual-mono architecture and a genuine vacuum tube gain stage into a wireless headphone, écoute brings the proven design principles of reference-grade home systems into a compact, wearable format.

Onkyo Creator Series GX-30ARC Powered Monitors Review

When it comes to computers, there’s a lot of content creators. And it’s not just about graphics or video. The audio portion should be taken into consideration. For that reason, Onkyo came out with their Creator Series of speakers. Up for review is their Onkyo GX-30ARC Powered Monitors. MSRP is $349.

 

Features and specs:

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION:  Powered Monitor (pair)

FREQUENCY RESPONSE:  55Hz-20kHz

MAX OUTPUT:  115 dB (1M Stereo Pair)

TOTAL SYSTEM POWER:  50W Total System Power 17W LF+8W HF/ch

HIGH FREQUENCY DRIVER:  3/4 inch (19mm)

LOW FREQUENCY DRIVER:  4 inch (101.6mm) cone woofer

ENCLOSURE MATERIAL:  MDF with PVC

ENCLOSURE TYPE:  Bass-reflex via rear-Slit duct

BLUETOOTH®

VERSION: Bluetooth 5.3

A2DP Codecs: SBC

SPECIFICATIONS

INPUTS: HDMI-ARC with CEC, Bluetooth® 5.3 wireless technology, Phono/Line analog (with switch and ground screw terminal), 3.5mm analog mini jack, USB Type C, Optical

OUTPUTS: Single RCA line level output for connection to subwoofer

PRODUCT DIMENTIONS:  5.75" (146mm) x 8.66" (220mm) x 6.69" (170mm)  (W X H X D )

PRODUCT DIMENTIONS W/STAND (W X H X D):  5.75“ (146mm) x 10.55” (268mm) x 8.27” (210mm)

WEIGHT:  Primary: 6.0lbs (2.7kg) - Secondary: 5.3lbs (2.4kg)

BOX DIMENTIONS (W X H X D):  16.7" (423mm) x 14.2" (360mm) x 11.2" (285mm)

GROSS WEIGHT:  17.6lbs (8kg)

FINISH:  Black / White

VOLTAGE:  100V-240V 50/60Hz AC Adapter

 

The Onkyo GX-30ARC came in a standard white box. Opening the box revealed a well-protected speaker held in place by custom molded Styrofoam. Materials used in the construction was MDF, PVC, and steel. The speakers appear to be made using a paper cone with rubber surround for the woofer, and the tweeters appear to use silk for the dome. Quality of materials used, as well as fit and finish, is very good. Also included were the speaker stands, remote, AC adaptor, speaker cable, HDMI, and USB-C cables.

 

I love the design on the Onkyo GX-30 ARC powered monitor. Whether gaming, websites, or other content creating with a computer, it’s part of their content creator Series. It works great connected to a computer, but it can also do so much more. With imputes that consist of RCA with phono, 3.5 mm, optical, HCMI, USB-C and Bluetooth, it can be used with just about anything. You could connect a record player directly to it, as well as to a TV like a soundbar. You can even set them up by themselves in a living room or den and use your smartphone with Bluetooth to listen to your music. So many possibilities.

 

They are also designed for great sound, tapping into Onkyo’s decades long heritage. They employ a ¾ inch silk dome tweeter for smooth highs. And while they also use a smaller 4 inch woofer to keep the enclosure size down, they still have it ported to improve bass performance. Onkyo even has them bi-amped, for the best sound possible. This means there is a separate amp for the tweeter and woofer, which would also control the frequencies they play.

 

I also love the synergy that seems to have been realized due to the sum of the parts done right. It stars with the quality drivers, great electronics, efficient design, down to the multitude of connects for ease of use. And lastly an efficient and well-made enclosure. It’s a well-made product that should provide years of use. Now let’s see how it sounds.

 

Guns & Roses: Patience – The whistling was silky smooth with excellent harmonics and a tone of air.  The strings from the acoustic guitar was really crisp and clean with really good resolution to show off not just the good dynamics of the strings as they were plucked, but also hear the decay. Vocals were smooth like honey with good texture of the timbre. 

Nat King Cole: L-O-V-E  - hi-hat was really crisp and clean, piano sounded really natural, violin was silky smooth with great resolution of the bow across the strings.  Th bass was equally smooth with not just good low-end extension, but also played with authority.  Trumpet was extremely dynamic with excellent harmonics without being too brassy.  Snare drum was also dynamic.  But just as impressive was not just the soundstage that was really big, not just deep but also forward.  The imaging on a dime was equally impressive.

 

Jessie J, Ariana Grande, & Nickie Minaj: Bang Bang – The various drums and claps were nice and dynamic with great pitch definition.  And while it was the stellar harmonics and timbre of the multiple parts of the female vocals that seamlessly came together to steal the show, I am also impressed with the bass performance.  It had good low-end extension and played with more authority for its size than I expected.

 

The Onkyo GX-30ARC performed as well as I expected.  They had a neutral sound signature as expected from a monitor.  The highs were crisp and clean, with silky smooth mids, and bass that performed well for its size.  What I was not expecting was the level of soundstage and imagine that I heard at its price point.  It’s not perfect, but at only $349, it’s a grand slam for bang for the buck. 

 

Onkyo has a reputation for making great products. And it’s products like the Onkyo GX-30ARC Powered Monitor, that bring a smile to my face, to see that Onkyo is not just sitting on their Laurels. They want to protect their reputation. And the Onkyo GX-30ARC proved to be not just  a great sounding speaker, they are made to be used in many different set ups. They’re even well made to be able to perform for years. Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Onkyo GX-30ARC has earned our Editor’s Choice Award. If you are looking for great sounding a small package, the Onkyo GX-30ARC Powered Monitor should be on your short list. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.onkyo.com.

Actxa Showcases Core Smart Ring with AI Glucose Scan at WHX Dubai

Actxa Showcases Core Smart Ring with AI Glucose Scan at WHX Dubai

Dubai, UAE, 4 February 2026 — Actxa, a Singapore-based preventive health brand committed to making preventive healthcare more accessible and actionable, will be participating in World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai 2026. At the event, Actxa will showcase its Core Smart Ring, featuring AI Glucose Scan capabilities designed to support everyday metabolic health awareness. Introducing Actxa: Advancing Preventive Health Through Wearable Intelligence Actxa’s mission is simple but urgent – empower individuals with meaningful, health insights that enable earlier intervention and better long-term outcomes. By combining wearable technology, artificial intelligence and clinically backed technologies, Actxa aims to bridge the gap between everyday wellness tracking and true preventive care. Spotlight at WHX Dubai: Core Smart Ring with AI Glucose Scan At WHX Dubai, Actxa will highlight the Core Smart Ring, a sleek and comfortable wearable designed for continuous lifestyle monitoring. Featuring AI Glucose Scan powered by Actxa’s proprietary BGEM® Glucose Status technology, the Core Smart Ring provides users with smarter insights related to glucose trends and metabolic patterns.  BGEM® is the world’s first non-invasive, AI-driven glucose evaluation technology, supported by clinical studies. By analysing photoplethysmography (PPG) data from the Core Smart Ring, BGEM® delivers meaningful, pain-free glucose insights without the need for needles or blood samples. With a quick 1-minute scan, users receive a clear “Normal” or “Elevated” result linked to daily habits, with results syncing seamlessly to the Actxa App, where insights are presented through a clean, intuitive interface. Paired with lifestyle guidance that is easy to read and easy to act on, the Core Smart Ring supports smarter daily health decisions.   Key features of the Core Smart Ring include: Clinically backed BGEM® technology   Fast, one-minute scans No needles, no pain An ultra-light, durable titanium design Engaging the Ecosystem at WHX Dubai Actxa is participating in WHX Dubai to engage regional and global stakeholders across healthcare, wellness and technology. Through its participation, Actxa aims to connect with partners who share a common vision for advancing preventive health through innovation. Actxa looks forward to partnership opportunities with: Distributors expanding next-generation wearables across retail, pharmacy and healthcare channels Healthcare and wellness partners exploring innovative solutions in metabolic health and preventive screening Strategic partners and investors aligned with the convergence of AI, wearables and chronic disease prevention Driving Preventive Health Forward “Preventive health starts with awareness, but real impact comes from how insights are turned into everyday action,” said Marcus Soo, CEO of Actxa.  “With the Core Smart Ring and our BGEM® technology roadmap, we aim to empower individuals, partners and healthcare stakeholders with actionable insights that support earlier intervention, better decision-making and long-term health outcomes.” A Peek into the Future: A Preventive Health Pipeline for BGEM® Technology Beyond the Core Smart Ring, Actxa continues to advance its BGEM® technology roadmap. This includes the development of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) for BGEM® Diabetic Risk Assessment, designed to support detection and risk stratification of diabetes. Actxa will also preview its upcoming BGEM® Range, a pain-free, one-minute measurement solution that provides dynamic blood glucose range insights, representing the next phase of its preventive health technology portfolio. Visit Actxa at WHX Dubai Actxa invites attendees to experience its preventive health solutions firsthand at Booth #N23.E74 throughout WHX Dubai and explore opportunities for collaboration, distribution and strategic partnerships.

ASCENDO, Barco, StormAudio & PrimeTheater Present The Luxury Immersion Cinema at ISE 2026

The ‘Luxury Immersion Cinema’ Redefines What’s Possible in Residential LED Home Theater at ISE 2026   ASCENDO Immersive Audio, Barco Residential, StormAudio, PrimeTheater, and Technology Integration Partners unite to show integrators how DCI-grade LED video and immersive audio, purpose-built for LED video walls, elevate luxury home cinema.   BARCELONA, Spain — 13 January 2026 — ASCENDO, Barco Residential, StormAudio, PrimeTheater, and Technology Integration Partners (TIP) present the Luxury Immersion Cinema at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026, stand 2J500, offering a new benchmark for residential theater design. As the popularity of LED video walls continues to grow in residential settings, this fully immersive, professional-grade demonstration reveals what’s possible when cinema-level video standards and uncompromising immersive audio are combined in a luxury home environment.    DCI Video Sets the Visual Benchmark At the visual core of the Luxury Immersion Cinema is Barco Residential’s Runar, the company’s LED video wall designed for luxury home cinema. Scheduled for DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) certification under the latest HDR standards, Runar represents the highest benchmark currently defined for cinema LED performance. Featuring a 0.9mm pixel pitch and native DCI 4K resolution (4,096 × 2,160), Runar delivers uncompromising cinematic image quality at residential viewing distances. Engineered with Micro LED in Package (MIP) technology, Runar is built for future-proof compatibility with premium DCI-HDR content.    “Whether watching consumer content or digital cinema packages (DCPs), ultra-deep black levels and high brightness provide exceptional contrast performance, whilst DCI-P3 coverage and color precision provide a truly reference cinematic experience,” says Bart Devos, Business Development Manager EMEA, Barco Residential.    With 100,000:1 contrast, ultra-deep 0.005 cd/m² black levels, and full DCI-P3 color coverage, Runar brings DCI-grade HDR at 300 nits and consumer HDR at up to 500 nits to life with remarkable precision. The result is a single LED video wall capable of presenting both professional cinema content and consumer formats seamlessly—something rarely achieved in residential environments.   Immersive Audio Designed for LED Cinema Environments While LED video walls elevate visual performance, they fundamentally change how immersive audio must be designed because they don’t allow speakers to be placed behind the image, often forcing compromises in audio placement and performance.   The Luxury Immersion Cinema solves this challenge with a 14.8.8-channel ASCENDO immersive system engineered specifically for LED-based cinema applications. Recognizing the growing popularity of LED video walls in home environments, ASCENDO continues to innovate in LED screen wall audio, designing speakers that integrate around rather than behind the screens, preserving proper front-channel localization and cinematic realism.   “For LED applications, audio must be perceived as coming from the vertical center of the wall without exception,” says Geoffrey Heinzel, co-managing partner of ASCENDO. “Our design approach, as always, is to use point source speakers for seat-to-seat performance consistency in multi-seat home theater environments. Because our speakers are direct-radiating, they are capable of extremely high-performance results.”   Making its debut at ISE is ASCENDO’s latest speaker, designed for LED environments, THE8 PRO PASSIVE LED WEDGE. Six of these 3-way LED screen wall speakers will be used for the front channels. THE10 Passive WEDGE 30, THE10 Passive On Wall, and THE10 Passive LED Phantom speakers will be used for the side, overhead, and rear channels. Additionally, eight THE28 SUB PRO SQUARED subwoofers deliver extreme low-frequency infrasonic bass, amplified by eight corresponding ASCENDO AIA2-10K2 IS (infrasonic) amplifiers.   Orchestrating this high-performance ecosystem, StormAudio bridges the critical gap between the visual and audio domains. Since solid LED walls preclude the use of behind-screen speakers, the processing accuracy of the Elite 32 Analog becomes vital. It provides the advanced calibration and spatial mapping required to maintain perfect audio-video coherence, psychoacoustically placing the sound back within the image despite the physical displacement of the front channels, using StormAudio’s center shift feature. Powering this system is the Impulsion 8 amplifier, making its world debut. This new powerhouse delivers the dynamic range and transient response necessary to match the high-contrast intensity of Barco’s DCI-grade visuals.   “An LED video wall creates a massive, solid visual surface that challenges traditional theater audio design. The processor must work harder to ensure the audience believes the dialogue and action are coming directly from the actors on screen. This is where StormAudio’s center shift feature is essential,” says Olivier Thumerel, CEO at StormAudio. “With the ISP Elite 32 and our new Impulsion 8 amplifier, we provide the precise steering and dynamic power needed to ensure the audio is as impactful and localized as the video, creating a seamless sensory experience.”   Home Cinema Built for Performance The theater itself is designed and constructed by PrimeTheater, an integrator that considers every detail of the room—from acoustics to sightlines to seating—to ensure ideal performance, even on a challenging trade show floor. PrimeTheater provides turnkey, fully customizable home theaters that make installation easy.   “This is more than a technology demo. It is a masterclass in modern residential cinema, giving integrators a clear vision of how DCI-grade LED video and immersive audio designed for LED, in concert with a room built for performance, raise expectations for what luxury home theaters can—and should—deliver,” says Helder Martins, Owner of PrimeTheater.   About Technology Integration Partners Technology Integration Partners is an ISE exhibition partner, organizing a group of design-oriented technology partners at stand 2J500, with a portfolio of complementary products and services that simplify technology integration for both residential and commercial applications. As a founding member of ISE, TIP is celebrating its 22nd year of participation at Integrated Systems Europe.

Noise Unveils Master Buds 2 at CES 2026. A bold evolution of its flagship audio experience, with Sound by Bose technology

Las Vegas, NV, 5pm PST, 5th January 2026: India’s leading wearables company, Noise, today unveiled Master Buds 2 at CES 2026, marking the next chapter in its flagship Master Series. Expertly tuned with Sound by Bose technology, Master Buds 2 is a worthy successor to the original Master Buds, building on its success with a significant leap in performance, design, intelligence and immersion.

 

The announcement reinforces Noise’s growing global ambition: to deliver world-class sound experiences that are deeply human, intuitive, and accessible.

 

Master Buds 2: Immersive Sound, Reimagined

 

The first-generation Master Buds set a new benchmark for premium listening in its category. Master Buds 2 raises the bar even further, introducing a more powerful, responsive, and intelligent audio experience designed around how people listen, move, and live today.

 

Master Buds 2 with Sound by Bose technology delivers richer acoustics, deeper bass, clear highs, and greater spatial precision, making it the most advanced and power-packed Master Series device to date.

 

Designed for the Way the World Listens

 

Master Buds 2 represents more than an upgrade—it reflects a philosophy. Built around real-world use cases, the product blends immersion, intelligence, and ease into a seamless everyday experience.

 

“With Master Buds 2, we’re not making incremental changes, we’re making a generational leap,” said Amit Khatri, Co-Founder of Noise.

 

“This product reflects our belief that great sound should be intuitive, immersive, and effortlessly integrated into daily life. Powered by Sound by Bose, Master Buds 2 is designed for how people actually listen today.”

 

Availability

 

Master Buds 2 was unveiled today at CES 2026 and will be available globally for sale by the end of the February 2026. The device will launch in two signature colorways, along with a Special Edition Variant, priced at $129.

 

About Noise

 

Noise is a global personal technology brand focused on building human-centric products across wearables, personal audio, and connected lifestyle technology. With a vision to make innovation accessible, Noise designs and builds technology that enhances how people live, work, and connect.