While this was once a rare feature, the ability to synchronize playback across multiple wireless speakers is something that has slowly been added by most other
smart speaker makers and is now pretty much an expected feature.
Amazon, Google, and other
smart speaker makers have another reason for wanting to drive sales.
Not exact matches
Even more audiophile - oriented
speaker makers like JBL, Onkyo, Harman Kardon, and Libratone have also announced new products with
smart assistants from either Google or Amazon.
The high - end
speaker maker, which has partnered with Amazon for voice - controlled
smarts, confidentially filed for an IPO that would value the company at up to $ 3 billion.
The streaming device
maker is unveiling their home audio licensing program to produce Roku - powered
smart speakers.
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It's interesting to see these TV
makers taking a hybrid approach to how their sets will work with
smart speakers and voice technology.
In addition to the full Roku OS, which will be embedded into
Smart Soundbars and
Smart Speakers, Roku will also offer «Roku Connect» to wireless
speaker makers who want their products to work within the Roku whole home ecosystem.
The third is the
maker of a
smart speaker robot for the elderly called Elli - Q.
The device
makers are battling to be the home's
smart speaker, because people aren't often buying a second.
Qualcomm might be inside your next smartphone and even your next laptop, but the chip -
maker is hoping to find a spot in your
smart speaker, too.
Sonos, famed
maker of high - quality
speakers and sound bars, is joining the
smart speaker race with the Sonos One, a device that'll support Amazon Alexa and include Google Assistant and Siri support down the road.
Accessory
makers, meanwhile, have capitalized on the latest Apple HomePod issue by releasing products that will prevent the
smart speaker from damaging wooden furniture.
The arrangement is not exclusive to Amazon, so Ikea can strike similar agreements with
makers of other
smart speakers like Google Home.
The streaming device
maker is unveiling their home audio licensing program to produce Roku - powered
smart speakers.
Bluetooth
speaker maker Libratone has announced that beginning this fall, Zipp and Zipp Mini
speaker owners will be able to use their devices to invoke Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant as well as tap in to Apple's forthcoming AirPlay 2 protocol.The company said it will make a free firmware download available in the coming months that activates Alexa support in the wireless
speakers, which connect to Wi - Fi and have integrated microphones.Following the update, Zipp and Zipp Mini owners will be able to touch the button on the top of the
speakers to ask Alexa for news, sports, traffic updates, and all the other things that can be done on Amazon's Echo range of
speakers, including controlling
smart home devices.Libratone intends to add Apple AirPlay 2 support as soon as Apple
Assembling the Apple HomePod
smart speaker was estimated at $ 216 per unit, hinting that the product is not a money
maker for the company.
HoloLens is pushing Windows in a new direction entirely, IoT is allowing Windows into our homes with Cortana powered
speakers and
smart home items, and hardware
makers are building great, high quality and premium Windows 10 devices for consumers and professionals alike.
A report from Nikkei Asian Review indicates that electronics
maker Inventec Appliances, which is expected to begin shipping the HomePod
smart speaker before the end of the year, will start with a fairly limited supply.
The resulting Amazon Echo would end up being one of Amazon's hottest products ever, sending rival gadget
makers scrambling to cook up
smart speakers of their own.