HiGame

We don’t experience music solely with our ears — we have the capacity to sense it all over our bodies. Feeling the bass thud in your chest at a concert or at a movie theater is a vital part of the experience, and we often miss that in the home environment. So, what if you could get that same sensation while playing a PS4 game, or listening to an album on Spotify? That’s exactly what the Woojer is designed to do, and this tiny box effectively adds another layer of immersion. In fact, it might just be the next piece in the virtual reality puzzle.

Plug in your audio device over a standard 3.5mm jack, and the Woojer will send out strong vibrations that match the bass notes perfectly. By placing this device against your chest or the small of your back, these strategically placed vibrations supposedly trick your brain into feeling that your entire body is being surrounded with vibrations.*ExtremeTech’s very own Sebastian Anthony has tried out this device, and the results seem surprisingly positive. If you want to feel your music without investing in an elaborate sound system, this seems like the perfect solution.

Of course, the Woojer has a lot more potential than simply helping you pump up the jams wherever you go. This device can be used by the hearing impaired to sense and enjoy something that they normally wouldn’t be able to perceive. It’s certainly no replacement for cochlear implants, but it can serve as an incredible tool for the deaf and hard of hearing. I know that if I lost my hearing, I would do anything within my means to try to recreate the experience of music. Considering that the Woojer is only $99, this could open the door to music appreciation for millions of people.

As with just about every gadget these days, minds drift towards virtual reality. Sight and sound are already being handled decently with existing technology, but the other senses have largely been ignored. Last month, we covered a powered exoskeleton that adds a sense of touch to virtual worlds, and the Woojer seems like the perfect companion device. Standing next to a crumbling building in Call of Duty? Now you’ll actually be able to feel it shake your whole body.

If you’d like to buy a Woojer of your very own, you can order one directly from the Woojer website. One device will cost you $99, the “Woojer Extreme” two-pack will run you $179, and the official store promises that orders will be shipping out this month. The Woojer isn’t going to completely revolutionize the world of music or virtual reality, but it will make for one hell of a stocking stuffer.

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