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IKEA will start selling its Sonos-powered smart speakers in August
IKEA and Sonos have been working together on audio devices for some time, and this year, we'll start to see the fruits of that labor. Following the release of its smart window blinds in April, the Swedish retail giant will start selling Sonos-powered smart speakers in August.
Google kills its Chromecast Audio dongle
If you've been thinking about whether to pick up a Chromecast Audio to make your audio setup a little smarter, you should probably make your mind up quickly. Google has confirmed it's discontinuing the device.
Google is using AI to curate personalized news for smart speakers
Every morning, without fail, I ask my closest smart speaker to play NPR. That's convenient, but it's only slightly better than turning on an old-school radio. Clearly, there's much more that a web-connected, voice-controlled speaker could do. And it seems Google has the same idea: the company announced today that it's developing an open audio news standard for the Assistant. When you ask your Google Home (or any other Assistant-powered device) to play the news, it'll automatically generate a playlist of stories based on your interests using the same technology behind the AI on Google News.
You can now sync Chromecast with Google Home speakers
Starting today, Google is allowing Chromecast owners to add the streaming device to speaker groups along with Home speakers. The addition of the dongle to the Home ecosystem will allow you to queue up a song, playlist, podcast or audiobook and have it play in sync across all of the speakers and Chromecast-connected devices in your home.
Huawei cloned another famous smart speaker
Apple, Google, and Samsung all have smart speakers. Not to be left behind, fellow smartphone titan Huawei is playing catch up with another budget contender, following the reveal of its AI Cube (a speaker, 4G modem, WiFi router hybrid and Google Home clone, all rolled into one). The company teased the new gadget -- the Chinese name of which translates as "Huawei AI Speaker" -- at its Mate 20 series event in Shanghai, China, earlier today.
Alexa's intercom-like announcements arrive on Sonos One and Beam
One of the more useful features of Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is the ability to create custom recordings and use them as announcements for your entire network of Alexa-enabled connected speakers. Now, Sonos is getting the feature, too: announcements are coming to Sonos One and Sonos Beam.
It's too easy to trick your Echo into spying on you
The main reason most people get an Amazon Echo, with its onboard AI servant,Alexa, is convenience. But, after a family in Oregon found out Alexa recorded at least one private conversation and sent it to a contact in their address book, you might want to sacrifice convenience for privacy and personal security. Or, maybe you should at least keep the microphone turned off when not in use. Not very convenient, I know.
Onkyo's high-end receivers will link up with Sonos
Some Onkyo receivers are getting the Work with Sonos seal of approval -- you'll soon be able to stream tunes from the Sonos app to Onkyo, Integra and Pioneer Elite receivers. You can add Onkyo devices to an existing Sonos setup as well, which might come in handy for a multi-room setup. Some Onkyo systems already have Google Assistant support via Google Home, and the Sonos tie-up will similarly add limited Alexa controls through Amazon's Echo hardware, the company told Twice.
Roku bought a Sonos-like company focused on multi-room audio
You've probably never heard of Dynastrom, but Roku has. The streaming player company acquired Dynastrom last month, a Danish firm building multi-room audio software, Variety reports. The news follows an earlier report from the outlet in September, which noted that Roku was seeking audio experts for new roles. That led to speculation that the company was building a smart speaker of its own -- an increasingly intriguing category, albeit one that seems surprising for Roku.
Harman Kardon Invoke review: The first Cortana speaker sounds amazing
Smart speakers are everywhere this year. So far, we've seen new entries from Apple, Amazon, Google and Sonos. Now Microsoft is finally ready to join the party. The Harman Kardon Invoke is the first speaker to feature Microsoft's Cortana virtual assistant. Since it's coming from a brand known for audio gear, it promises better sound than the competition. And for the most part, it succeeds. The Invoke is miles ahead of Amazon's original Echo and Google's Home when it comes to audio quality. But Cortana still has to mature a bit before it can successfully take on Alexa.
Home Max hands-on: Google takes on Apple's HomePod and Sonos
Sonos and Apple have some unexpected competition in the voice-activated speaker market this holiday season. Google's somewhat unexpected Home Max is built with high quality music playback in mind, first and foremost. At $399 ($50 more than the HomePod and $100 less than the Sonos Play:5), it's priced accordingly — but at first listen, it has the chops to match up with those other speakers. And Google says that its machine learning capabilities will give the company a leg up other players in the market.
Google Assistant is coming to more speakers and appliances
Last May, Google opened up its AI Assistant's software development kit to the wider world of third-party smart devices, including blenders, smart locks and web cameras. At the IFA in Berlin, Google has just announced that even more gadgets will be able to integrate Google Assistant. You'll soon see the digital helper in more speakers, various appliances and home automation systems.
Sierra Sounds' iN STUDIO 5.0 iPod-friendly speakers
We must admit, it's somewhat refreshing to see a set of Made for iPod speakers hit the marketplace that could potentially sound better than a poorly-amplified glorified tweeter, and Sierra Sounds' iN STUDIO 5.0 set is looking to up the ante by catering to the more discerning set. The pair of monitors are purportedly best matched in one's recording studio, as they feature an integrated 50-watt dynamic amplifier, built-in iPod dock, a pair of auxiliary inputs, S-Video output, and a fully enclosed power supply to boot. Additionally, users can control the action from afar with the wireless infrared remote, and Pod owners should be delighted that they can pick a set up in a black, red, or the oh-so-trendy white color scheme. Set to ship later this month, the iN STUDIO 5.0s will run you just under four Benjamins.[Via iLounge]
