Do Sound Meter Apps Measure Noise Levels Accurately?

摘要

Worldwide adoption rate for smartphones is expected to hit 2 billion devices by 2015. As of the end of 2013, smartphone ownership in the U.S. market has reached more than 67% of all mobile subscribers, or more than 140 million devices. Apple iOS and Google Android platforms account for 93% of those devices [Nielsen, 2014]. Smartphones have evolved into powerful computing machines with exceptional capabilities; most now have built-in sensors such as microphones, cameras, global positioning system (GPS) receiver, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and proximity and light sensors. Smartphone developers now offer many sound measurement applications (apps) using the devices' built-in microphone (or through an external microphone for more sophisticated applications). Interest in such sound measurement applications is growing among audio enthusiasts, educators, acoustic and environmental researchers, and the general public.