Google recently released an experimental feature for its Chrome browser called Google Tone, which is a Chrome extension that can instantly share URL to nearby devices by using inaudible sounds.
The new feature from Google Chrome will use active microphones in order to pick up the sound signals. Google Tone is capable of sharing browser search result and pages over devices as long as they are in range. The features works best on a small office setting, as long as the devices involved are within audio proximity of each other.
Since it uses inaudible audio signals, the feature cannot pass through walls, according to PC World. In order for the feature to function to its fullest extent, the devices involved should be within earshot distance. Google added that the feature is designed in order to make the sharing of URL easier when users are within close distance to each other.
The idea behind Google Tone is no longer novel. An Android and iOS app called Chirp works on the same principle as the Google Tone and the former was released way back in 2013.
Software engineer Boris Smus and researcher Alex Kaufmann posted on Google Research, "The initial prototype used an efficient audio transmission scheme that sounded terrible, so we played it beyond the range of human hearing."
Google Tone uses a codec which is based on Dual-tone Multi-frequency Signaling (DTMF). This is the same tone heard when dialing on traditional telephones.
In order to use this new feature, users are needed install the extension on their Chrome browser and log in their Google account.