Amazon plans headphones that know when someone says your name

Noise-canceling headphones can make it hard to hear when a person actually needs your attention, and Amazon wants to fix that

Noise-canceling headphones provide a peaceful haven for those trying to work or sleep in loud environments, but make it difficult to hear when someone really needs your attention.

To address this problem, Amazon has outlined plans for headphones that selectively listen out for certain sound patterns – such as someone saying a specific keyword, such as your name.

Related: Inside Amazon: secretive tech company opens its Seattle HQ to the public

Related: Virtual assistants such as Amazon's Echo break US child privacy law, experts say