Google and "pink noise"
While running an experiment here today, I told Google Assistant/Google
Home to "Play pink noise" -- and without a word it seemed to comply. I
also told it to "play white noise" -- and it also complied without a
word.
But -- hmmm -- I couldn't seem to hear a difference between the two.
Well, hell, my hearing can't be what it used to be, let's pull out the
spectrum analyzer. And ... uh ... the spectrums for both look identical.
And it's the spectrum for white noise. And in fact, someone with a Hub
(which I don't have) checking my results says, yes, Google is playing
white noise when you ask it for either white noise or pink noise.
Does this matter? Well, yeah, it does. You can find articles around
the Net saying that "play pink noise" actually does play pink noise
through these Google devices, and there are generally believed to be
physiological differences in our reactions to pink noise vis-a-vis
white noise. In general, pink noise is viewed as being easier on the
ears and more useful for sound masking and relaxation purposes than
white noise.
There are some alternate ways to get genuine pink noise from these
devices, but they require calling up third party apps, videos, or sound
files.
And really, this shouldn't be necessary. If you tell Google to play pink
noise, it should either play pink noise or admit that it can't ...
OK Google? Thanks.
- - -
Request invite to my private discussion forum: [email protected]
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein ([email protected]): https://www.vortex.com/lauren
Lauren's Blog: https://lauren.vortex.com
Founder: Network Neutrality Squad: https://www.nnsquad.org
PRIVACY Forum: https://www.vortex.com/privacy-info
Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenweinstein
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
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