We strongly believe in the power and importance of consistent innovation here at HTC – it’s a value that is woven into the fabric of our company culture. We continuously design and test, review and evaluate, and iterate and refine our products. One of the latest refinements we’ve made is reinstating a sidetone option into our U.S. phones, starting with the HTC One M9.
Many of you have probably never heard of the term “sidetone,” but we guarantee you can recognize it if you hear it. Sidetone is the immediate, low-level audio feedback of your own voice during a phone call. It’s also a core part of the traditional, landline telephone experience, but cell phone technology doesn’t support the original wiring that created that natural and, for some, necessary, feedback.
As cell phone technology and design have evolved, device manufacturers have grappled with implementing the appropriate mechanisms that create a useful sidetone that doesn’t affect call clarity. In many instances, the sidetone people heard would be too loud or even delayed, which created an uncomfortable call experience. Ultimately, most manufacturers have removed sidetone altogether.
But what happens to a phone call when there is no sidetone? For certain people who are hearing impaired, that lack of feedback can make it difficult to participate on calls as it helps them modulate the volume of their voice appropriately.
Driven by a customer request made through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), we worked to re-implement this feature through Sense and make it an option for people to switch on or off as needed. The response we’ve received from all parties involved, including the FCC, since adding sidetone has been incredibly positive.
Putting a sidetone option back into our devices was a direct effort to help our customers have the best phone call experience possible. You can find it now if you’re one of our U.S.-based customers who owns a One M9 by going to your phone’s Call menu located in Settings. This feature will also be available in HTC’s U.S. phones moving forward.
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