Equipped with a high - excursion woofer, seven tweeters, a six -
microphone array for long - range Siri voice commands and the ability to automatically adapt to its environment, the HomePod is clearly targeting a different market than the AI - driven speakers from other tech giants.
Amazon's announcement last week of the availability of its far - field
microphone array for developers followed by the testing feature today are clear market signals.
Along with LTE, there's Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi a / b / g / n, and A - GPS / GLONASS; Nokia also throws in a triple
microphone array for Nokia Rich Recording, capturing Dolby 5.1 surround sound during video and performing noise - cancellation in calls.
Around the speaker it has a six -
microphone array for far - field Siri detection.
While I can understand not including the Kinect and even leaving out any port for it to save space and reduce costs, I think not including
any microphone array for voice commands is a wrong decision — especially with the addition of the Cortana voice assistant in the Summer Update.
The other, AFTVNews claimed, would be an even pricier set - top box with
a microphone array for hands - free voice controls and infrared emitters for controlling TV volume.
Not exact matches
After Kinect hit North American shelves on Nov. 4, Adafruit announced a bounty of $ 1,000 to the first hacker able to create an open - source driver
for Kinect, a piece of software that would allow anybody to create programs that used the device's powerful
array of video cameras and
microphones.
Designed
for up to six participants in small to midsize meeting rooms and workgroups, C3 Teamroom MP features Yamaha's PJP 300V with triple 120 degree pan cameras, and a built - in
array of 16
microphones and 14 loudspeakers
for automated track - the - talker audio and camera adjustments.
The
microphone array allowed
for the identification of vocalizations produced by the target family, by comparing the relative amplitudes on the three
microphones.
7.8 ″ 1404 × 1872 16 greyscale primary eink display as «digital paper» Frontlight
array with 24 levels amber / blue / white 1404 × 420 LED touchscreen
for app interaction Cortex A9 quad - core 1.5 Ghz CPU 2 GB RAM, 32 GB internal with MicroSDXC slot
for expansion 802.11 n / g / b WiFi plus Bluetooth 4.1 GPS, accelerometer and
microphone 3.5 mm headphone jack (no speakers) Rear 13MPixel camera with flash optimized
for OCR 3.5 mm headphone jack (no speakers) microUSB 3.0 & USB - C ports with OTG support 4000mAh battery with solar charger in flipcase Android 8.0 or Elementary OS 0.4.1 Loki Okular 1.3 or Bookworm based e-reader software enhanced with «shelves» concept
Chromebook Plus has two 1.5 Watt stereo speakers, a HD front camera, dual
array microphones, two USB Type - C ports with supprt
for 4K monitors / displays, it has a spill resistant keyboard, and the the Samsung Chromebook Plus battery life is 8 hours long with a 5140 mAh 29 WHr battery.
An iPad mini Pro would have all the features that would make it a «pro» tablet, including the True Tone display introduced on the 9.7 - inch iPad Pro, a Smart Connector on the side
for magnetically connecting to accessories like a keyboard, quad stereo speakers, an improved 12 - megapixel camera with True Tone flash and a new four -
array microphone setup.
There are 7 tiny dots on the cover, little holes
for the powerful
microphone far - field listening
array, which replace the circular grille on the original Echo.
Kinect
for Xbox One has a 1080p HD camera, advanced infrared technology and a
microphone array with noise isolation
for maximum precision in capturing sound and motion.
Six
microphones are used to listen
for the «Hey Siri» activation, while a seven - tweeter
array gauges sound quality.
This new Nest Cam also upgrades its audio capabilities, with a three - way
microphone array that provides noise suppression and echo cancellation
for clearer conversations with family members at home.
Acer TrueHarmony, Dolby Audio Premium technology and two - front facing speakers
for a crystal clear and immersive audio experience; the Spin 5 integrates four
array microphones combined with far - field voice - recognition technology that allows users to access Cortana from up to four meters away.
The Asus ROG G752VS has a wide
array of ports: Thunderbolt 3, Ethernet, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, four USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot, a Kensington lock, and jacks
for headphones, a
microphone, and audio in.
Alongside the new headphones, the Vive Pro augments the original Vive's single
microphone for in - headset voice chat, with a dual -
microphone array.
Although Amazon recommends you put at least 3 feet of space between the speakers and the Echo device (because very close proximity can make it difficult, while audio is pumping out of the speakers,
for the
microphone array to properly pick up your voice commands) we found that their concern was a bit overblown.
The Milo, which includes a built - in three
microphone array, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 and support
for Zigbee devices, can control hundreds of devices around the home.
As
for the
microphones, the Echo Dot has a seven - field
array, and the Home Mini has far - field voice recognition technology that supports hands - free use.
Amazon yesterday announced its Echo connected smart speaker is now available to pre-order in the U.K. and Germany, signaling the end of a 14 - month wait
for the device to become available outside of the U.S.
For those unfamiliar with the device, the Echo's
array of
microphones lets users query voice - based assistant Alexa, who can be asked to do things like play music, read the news, use apps, check the weather, turn on the lights, set timers, and more.The Amazon Echo costs # 150 in the UK and 180 Euros in Germany, while Amazon Prime members get a # 50 or 50 Euros discount off the sale price if they pre-order today.
Amazon today began offering devices in its Echo smart speaker range at discounted prices
for the first time in the products» short history, as part of its Black Friday Deals Week.
For those unfamiliar with the devices, the connected speakers»
array of
microphones lets users query voice - based assistant Alexa, who can be asked to do things like play music, read the news, use apps, check the weather, turn on the lights, set timers, and more.The full - size Echo speaker is being offered at $ 140 (usually $ 180), while the second - generation Echo Dot — a smaller variant with the same features — has had $ 10 lopped off the price and is going
for $ 40.
The left side bears a five dot LED
array for monitoring battery life, along with an echo / noise canceling
microphone.
The idea is to get «hobbyist and enthusiast developers» to create apps
for the Bluetooth - and Wi - Fi - enabled speaker, which uses its powerful 7 -
microphone array to continuously listen
for the «wake word» (either Alexa or Amazon), so it can do your bidding.
Other features include support
for Dolby Audio, far - field
microphones, a 4in woofer, and an
array of 7 tweeters.
That includes the
microphone array that helps Echo pick up speech even in a fairly noisy room, as well as Amazon's own proprietary software
for recognizing wake words, reducing background noise and cancelling out echoes in large open rooms.
Xiaomi just launched a smart speaker.Called the Mi AI Speaker, the speaker features a six -
microphone array and is meant to double as a hub
for Xiaomi's smart home devices, which includes things like vacuum cleaners and lamps.
You still get a manual Alexa button, as well as a
microphone mute key
for the excellent seven - mic
array.
The headset also features two
array microphones, an integrated AKG headset
for 360 ° Spatial Sound and access to Microsoft's virtual assistant, Cortana.
Highlighted Features: — 7th generation Intel Core i7 - 7567U Processor (3.5 GHz Dual Core, 4 GHz Turbo, 4 MB Cach)-- Intel ® Iris ™ Plus Graphics 650 — Windows 10 Base OS with HomeBase Custom UI — 8 GB DDR4 (can upgrade to 32 GB)-- 128 GB SATA M. 2 Solid State Drive (SSD) Installed — 2 TB 2.5» HDD — Intel ® Optane ™ Memory Ready — Thunderbolt ™ 3 (40 Gbps), USB 3.1 Gen2 (10 Gbps) and DisplayPort 1.2 via Type - C connector — HDMI 2.0 supporting 8 - channel digital audio (7.1 surround sound)-- DisplayPort 1.2 via USB 3.1 Type - C connector, supporting 8 - channel digital audio (7.1 surround sound)-- Up to 4096 × 2304 (4K) monitors supported on both HDMI and DisplayPort (Type - C) Ports — Intel I219 - V Gigabit Ethernet (GbE)(10 / 100/1000)-- Intel Dual Band Wireless - AC 8265, 802.11 ac 2 × 2, Bluetooth 4.2, Intel Wireless Display 6.0 — USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) via Type - C connector on back panel --(2) USB 3.0 ports on the front panel, including one charging port --(2) USB 3.0 ports on the back panel — Intel HD Audio via Headphone /
Microphone jack (3.5 mm TRRS)-- Dual
Array Microphones built in (front panel openings)-- Consumer infrared sensor on front panel — Micro SDXC Slot with UHS - 1 support, on side panel — Product size 4.55 ″ x 4.4 ″ x 1.85 ″ (2 ″ at rubber feet)-- VESA Mount bracket with screws included (
for mounting to display or wall)-- 65w AC / DC Power Adapter with Multi-Country AC Plugs (US, UK, EU, and AU)-- Low - acoustics active cooling design
(Upgradeable to 8 GB)-- 2 TB 2.5 in HDD — HDMI version 2.0 (4k @ 60Hz) supporting 8 - channel digital audio (7.1 surround sound)-- VGA Port (
for additional display)-- Intel ® Gigabit Ethernet (GbE)(10 / 100/1000)-- Intel ® Wireless - AC 3168 preinstalled M. 2 22 × 30 card, IEEE 802.11 ac 1 × 1 + Bluetooth v4.2, internal antennas --(2) USB 3.0 ports on the front panel, including one charging port --(2) USB 3.0 ports on the back panel — Intel HD Audio via Front 3.5 mm Headset Jack (TRRS Headphone /
Microphone) and Rear 3.5 mm TRS Speaker / TOSLINK combo Jack — Built - in dual
array microphones — Front Consumer Infrared port — SDXC Slot with UHS - 1 support, on Side — VESA Mount bracket with screws included
for mounting to display or wall — Product Dimensions 115 mm x 111 mm x 51 mm — Low - acoustics active cooling design
This device has at least one
microphone and a glowing light (or
array of lights) to show pertinent updates
for the user.
Also contained within the chassis is an
array of seven
microphones, all of which act as ears
for the Amazon Echo.
Other bells and whistles thrown into this 2 - in - 1 include a
microphone / headphone combo jack, two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 3.0 Type - C port, one micro-HDMI port
for outputting the Windows 10 Home desktop to an external display, one SD card reader, two 1.6 - watt speakers, digital
array microphones, and a 1.2 MP HD webcam.
The pair are back with a followup that brings a four -
microphone array to the AudioSmart Development Kit
for Alexa Voice Service.
While its
microphone array isn't as good as the Dot's,
for $ 15 less, who cares?
This option is right
for your product if it has a 2 +
microphone array and a robust battery or AC adapter
for power.
There's also a three - way
microphone array that provides noise suppression and echo cancellation
for two - way conversations (to enhance privacy, a blue LED ring lights when this feature is in use, and a green LED glows when someone is remotely viewing through the camera).
Requisite speakers and
microphone arrays expected from smart speakers, as well as the home radios that support the standards needed
for PAN connectivity in the home, including Wi - Fi, Zigbee, Z - Wave, and Bluetooth, and is extensible enough to add video capabilities and environment sensors
for an all - in - one customer experience.
With smart speakers like Amazon's Echo using a 7 -
microphone array to hear better
for voice controls using its Alexa assistant, other companies are likely to follow.
Besides an
array of customizable buttons and triggers, the controller also includes a 5 mm audio jack
for stereo audio output and
microphone input.
The new chips are built to integrate with multiple voice assistants, including Google Assistant and Alexa, and support multiple configurations of
microphones, allowing it to vary between,
for example, Google Home's 2 -
microphone array and the Amazon Echo's 7.
For example, it only has a three -
microphone array which is half the number of the Echo.
Qualcomm's full reference design
for the router also includes a six -
microphone array,
for using it as an Alexa, Google Assistant, or other virtual agent.
Sounding like the ultimate incarnation of the big - screened tablet PC, Microsoft notes the Surface Hub experience is designed around a highly responsive screen built
for ink and touch, with both versions featuring integrated, optically bonded displays «capable of detecting 100 points of multi-touch and up to three simultaneous pen inputs, dual 1080p front - facing video cameras, and a four - element
microphone array that detects and follows voices to eliminate background noise during videoconferencing sessions.»
Like other smart speakers, the HomePod has an
array of six
microphones that are used not just to listen
for someone's voice, but also to map a room's acoustic properties, and tailor the output from the speakers accordingly.
This is vastly different from my experiences with Amazon's Echo products: While the Echo has an excellent
array of
microphones for picking up your voice at rest, when playing loud music I often found myself shouting to get the Echo to understand me.
Connectivity afforded via Project Linda includes a built in 3.5 - millimeter audio jack, a USB - A port, a USB - C charging port, 720p webcam, and a dual -
array microphone, giving a range of options
for communication and external devices.