The Dyson Zone air-purifying headphones were designed in response to growing concerns about air and sound pollution in urban areas. PA
The Dyson Zone air-purifying headphones were designed in response to growing concerns about air and sound pollution in urban areas. PA
The Dyson Zone air-purifying headphones were designed in response to growing concerns about air and sound pollution in urban areas. PA
The Dyson Zone air-purifying headphones were designed in response to growing concerns about air and sound pollution in urban areas. PA

Business

Dyson denies air-purifying headphones are an April Fool's prank

Technology group says eye-catching design will help people who live in noisy and polluted cities

Neil Murphy
Neil Murphy

March 30, 2022

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Dyson has been forced to deny that its new noise-cancelling headphones which include an air-purifying device is an April Fool's prank.

The British technology company has released pictures of the innovative filtration system, which it says is designed to help people who live in noisy and polluted cities.

But with April Fool's Day approaching, Dyson insisted the new eye-catching design is genuine after attracting puzzled reactions from social media users.

Called the Dyson Zone, the wearable device combines noise-cancelling, over-ear headphones with a visor that sits in front of the nose and mouth, delivering filtered air.

The company said the headphones were created in response to growing concerns about air and sound pollution in urban areas.

It cited World Health Organisation figures estimating nine in 10 people worldwide breathe air that exceeds its guidelines on pollutant limits, while about 100 million people in Europe are said to be exposed to long-term noise exposure above its recommended level.

The headphones are the result of six years’ development and more than 500 prototypes, Dyson said.

Compressors in each ear draw air through built-in filters and project two streams of purified air to the wearer’s nose and mouth through the visor.

The visor can be lowered when the wearer is speaking or detached completely when not in use.

A prototype of the Dyson Zone. PA
A prototype of the Dyson Zone. PA

Dyson said the headphones will go on sale in the autumn with the price yet to be confirmed.

“Air pollution is a global problem. It affects us everywhere we go, in our homes, at school, at work and as we travel, whether on foot, on a bike or by public or private transport,” said Jake Dyson, the company’s chief engineer.

“The Dyson Zone purifies the air you breathe on the move. And unlike face masks, it delivers a plume of fresh air without touching your face, using high-performance filters and two miniaturised air pumps.

“After six years in development, we’re excited to deliver pure air and pure audio, anywhere.”

Dyson products through the years - in pictures

  • Dyson was founded by inventor Sir James Dyson, above, in 1991, and has become known for producing innovative household appliances. Getty Images
    Dyson was founded by inventor Sir James Dyson, above, in 1991, and has become known for producing innovative household appliances. Getty Images
  • James Dyson created the G-Force Vacuum cleaner in the 1980s, revolutionary at the time as it didn't require a bag to collect the vacuumed dust and dirt. Getty Images
    James Dyson created the G-Force Vacuum cleaner in the 1980s, revolutionary at the time as it didn't require a bag to collect the vacuumed dust and dirt. Getty Images
  • The Dyson V11 Absolute Pro Cordless Vacuum Gold. A battery powered vacuum cleaner which didn't need to be plugged into the mains. Photo: Dyson
    The Dyson V11 Absolute Pro Cordless Vacuum Gold. A battery powered vacuum cleaner which didn't need to be plugged into the mains. Photo: Dyson
  • The Dyson 360 Eye robot vacuum cleaner. Reuters
    The Dyson 360 Eye robot vacuum cleaner. Reuters
  • The Dyson Supersonic. Dyson moved into the haircare sector with this quiet and quick hairdryer. Photo: Dyson
    The Dyson Supersonic. Dyson moved into the haircare sector with this quiet and quick hairdryer. Photo: Dyson
  • The Dyson HEPA Cool Formaldehyde fan. A purifying fan which has a catalytic filter to destroy formaldehyde and an activated carbon filter to purify the air from other particulate matter. Photo: Dyson
    The Dyson HEPA Cool Formaldehyde fan. A purifying fan which has a catalytic filter to destroy formaldehyde and an activated carbon filter to purify the air from other particulate matter. Photo: Dyson
  • Dyson Airwrap. A hair curler and dryer which uses air power to style hair. Photo: Tom Bunning
    Dyson Airwrap. A hair curler and dryer which uses air power to style hair. Photo: Tom Bunning
  • The Dyson Air Multiplier. A bladeless fan introduced in 2009. Reuters
    The Dyson Air Multiplier. A bladeless fan introduced in 2009. Reuters
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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Essentials

The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.

What is graphene?

Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.

It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.

It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.

It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.

Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.

The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.

2019 ASIA CUP POTS

Pot 1
UAE, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia

Pot 2
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand

Pot 3
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam

Pot 4
North Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan

While you're here
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The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

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Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Updated: March 31, 2022, 3:54 AM