voice control
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Google and Sonos are now fighting over voice assistant patents
Google has sued Sonos, alleging that its new voice assistant violates seven patents related to its own Google Assistant technology.
Google will expand the usefulness of voice commands beyond Android phones
Google wants to make voice commands more useful beyond your Android phone, and it's steering app creators toward new technology to make that happen.
Urtopia e-bike is basically a computer on wheels
The motor on the Urtopia e-bike is probably the most lo-fi thing about it. This ride has a lot of promise, from GPS navigation to voice control.
Alexa can now 'Play Something' on Netflix if you ask it to
You can now ask Alexa to 'Play Something on Netflix' on a Fire TV.
Spotify opens its Car Thing waitlist to all US users
You'll need a Spotify Premium subscription to actually use the music and podcast player though.
Vizio's new soundbars include multiple options with Dolby Atmos
Vizio's latest soundbars include multiple Dolby Atmos options and affordable models to boost your TV's sound.
Spotify's voice-controlled 'Car Thing' is available for some subscribers
Spotify admitted its voice-controlled in-car streaming player existed in 2019. Now you might have a chance to actually use it.
Microsoft will acquire speech-tech giant Nuance for $19.7 billion
Nuance already works with Microsoft on its Healthcare Cloud, now it'll be part of Microsoft's cloud business entirely.
Amazon's new Alexa app runs directly on your Xbox
Now you can tell Alexa to pull up the doorbell cam's video on your Xbox.
Tasker's Android phone automation connects with Google Assistant
Now you can trigger Tasker's automated scripts by voice using Google Assistant.
Polk Audio claims React is the 'most advanced Alexa-enabled soundbar'
The $249 soundbar supports Dolby Digital and STS 5.1 virtual surround sound.
Amazon's Alexa app now works hands-free on Android and iOS devices
Alexa allows hands-free control of all manner of devices, but there’s been one glaring exception: its own smartphone app. Amazon has finally brought that feature directly to Android and iOS devices via a new update to the Alexa app.
Bang & Olufsen adds Alexa to its Beosound A1 Bluetooth speaker
B&O says this is the first Bluetooth-only speaker with Alexa built-in. The first A1 sounded great for its size, but B&O says it improved the sound quality for the 2nd-gen model. The 2nd-gen Beosound A1 is available now in black and grey color options from B&O and select retailers.
Samsung's old S Voice assistant will shut down in June
Bixby hasn’t made that much of a mark either, but now Samsung is pulling the plug on S Voice.
Roku adds voice command support for Spanish in the US and Mexico
For all their many strengths, Roku devices have not had the best voice control features. If that's important to you, your best bet has frequently been Amazon's Fire TV devices. However, with its latest software update, Roku is trying to change that with more robust voice features across the board.
What happened to the doughnut-shaped Olly speaker?
A few years back, CES attendees went mad for Olly, a doughnut-shaped speaker with a voice assistant that adapted to your personality. It was a refreshing change to the seemingly infinite hardware packing Alexa and Google Assistant, and visitors were charmed by its ability to stand up and spin around a circular stand. Olly's creator, a London-based startup called Emotech, offered two prototypes at the show -- one that was excitable and spoke quickly and another that seemed a little more placid -- to demonstrate how Olly would mimic its owners. As TechCrunch reported, the company wanted to start its initial production run later that year.
Alexa voice control is coming to Lamborghini and Rivian cars
Alexa is about to come to some particularly posh cars, and it'll handle more than you might think. Both Lamborghini and Rivian have announced that Amazon's voice assistant will be integrated in their vehicles by the end of 2020. It'll perform common Alexa tasks like calls, navigation and even paying for gas (for Lambos, that is), but you can also use it for climate control, windows and other basic car functions. You might not have to touch a button if you're just trying to warm up on a cold day.
Citizen has a fancier alternative to Amazon's Alexa wall clock
If you find Amazon's Echo Wall Clock a tad too drab but still like the idea of a connected timepiece on your wall, Citizen might have what you're looking for. The company has introduced a Smart Clock thatcan accept Alexa commands through other devices to set timers, much like its Amazon counterpart, but offers a more stylish package that could better fit in with your decor. Set a timer and blue LEDs in the minute markers will show the remaining time without making you reach for your phone or twist your arm to look at a watch -- helpful if you're cooking or otherwise don't have a hand free.
Google Assistant will place Dunkin' Donuts orders, finally
Google just added a handful of voice control features to Google Assistant. You can now manage notes and lists in select third-party apps, ask Assistant to search your photos, search for podcasts by topic and set reminders for the whole family. You can also place Dunkin' Donuts orders -- just what everyone was hoping for.
Sonos buys an AI startup to improve voice control for its speakers
Sonos might just be less reliant on third-party assistants for voice control. The company has bought Snips, a Paris startup that helps create "tailored voice experiences" through its AI voice platform and tools. No, Sonos isn't planning to take on Alexa or Google Assistant -- rather, the company said in a letter that this is to "add to [Sonos] customers' ease of use and control" for music. Snips' speedy, private on-device voice processing is designed to sit alongside general assistants, suggesting that Sonos may reserve the custom voice control for basic functions like playback.
