Sound technology has come a long way ever since the first microphone was created in 1875. Analog audio systems are a thing of the past with the onset of the digital era. The audio devices will continue to evolve with the advancement in technology. The hardware of the audio devices has gone through a tremendous makeover in the last one and half centuries. This development may well be attributed to the onslaught of technology in the landscape of media and entertainment. While the hardware has grown remarkably well, the software and programming will never stop growing as they make the audio devices more flexing and provide for greater control and creativity. Discussed herein are some of the latest trends that rule the audio market.

• Digital audio devices have completely replaced their analog counterparts. Convenience in manipulation, storage, transmission and retrieval of an audio signal are the advantages that the digital audio devices offer. Infinite copies of the audio can be made without generation loss and degradation in signal quality.
• Size of the audio devices has shrunk to enable portability and better manageability. Creativity is at its peak in the field of audio engineering. For instance, earphones have shrunk to the size of earbuds. From huge space occupying amplifiers and speakers, these audio devices have evolved into handheld electronics. Digital audio devices can hold much more in a single console than the analog devices. Small size audio devices are easy to set up and they give maximum output.
• Audio devices are increasingly becoming more efficient, and audio engineers are able to fit a huge amount of power into these small devices that can give amplified results. This has led to the proliferation of powered speakers. Microphones with voice tracking give the users a hands-free experience. The user can even have his back to the mic and be heard loud and clear.
• Audio devices are driven by wireless technology. Gone are the days when the wires ran all over the place to connect the devices. Streaming of data to these devices is possible with the help of wireless technology like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Airplay. Wireless audio devices are esthetic and reduce the amount of cabling and connectivity thereby having a smaller footprint. By downloading an application on the smartphone, one can listen to music with just a pair of wireless earphones.
• The network of audio devices can be remotely controlled. The devices can be tuned from palm size smartphones or pocket-size computers. The user need not run to the system for operating or tuning. The advantage of the network lies in lesser hardware with the best quality audio.
• Automation and voice control is assuming importance in homes as well as office spaces. The new age audio devices such as Alexa, Siri, and Google Home are being used extensively by CEOs to control offices in the same manner as they control their homes.
• Cloud-based audio and video may become the future of communication with AV phasing out gradually. The audio devices of the future are bound to enhance the user experience.