How mobile handset SNR requirements impact audio performance

The mobile phone market continues to evolve from primarily voice communications devices to sophisticated organizational and entertainment “appliances.” With the arrival of smartphones, users enjoy feature-rich portability, such as an integrated MP3 players, video playback, video and still picture cameras, blue-tooth, and GPS--all with a touch screen interface.

Additionally, operating systems with true multitasking have arrived with seemingly limitless applications, resulting in a powerful handheld tool. The smartphone is truly a unique example of engineering innovation that is changing people’s lives.

Along with this functionality, smartphone users expect high performance. This article addresses a key area of handset performance:, the mobile phone's audio playback, specifically the MP3-player audio output to headphones or earbuds.
Via EETimes

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Why is NASA audio so bad?

I came across this on the EETimes

Why is NASA audio so bad?

Rich Pell

8/25/2010 11:19 AM EDT

We're all familiar with the noisy, "squelchy"-sounding audio that seems to characterize voice communications between astronauts and mission control during NASA space missions. Most of us don't give it a second thought, but a poster over at diyAudio wonders why does the audio have to be so bad?

He has a point. Given today's technology - or even 1970's or 80's technology - and the relatively low requirements for reproducing good quality audio, what's the excuse for the poor audio quality heard on low-earth orbit operations like the International Space Station and shuttle missions?

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