Voice-activated home speakers, commonly called “smart speakers,” arguably represent the most important new audio distribution platform since the smartphone.
Smart speakers are a newer product segment in Japan, but the devices have gained awareness quickly in that market. Recent data shared by Voicebot from Marketing Research Camp showed that rates of smart speaker ownership among ages 15-69 in Japan rose from 4.5% in late 2017 to 5.7% in February 2018. Continue Reading
Google may be making a big move in its efforts to secure a bigger slice of the smart speaker pie. According to reports in the Nikkei Asian Review, Google is planning a new smart speaker that will have a video screen. If these rumors come to pass, Google could have a product in direct competition with Amazon’s Echo Show in this year’s holiday shopping season. Continue Reading
Instreamatic.ai announced that it has launched an advertising campaign centered on voice response capabilities in Russia. The campaign, a joint effort with Alfa-Bank and OMD, served users a short audio tease at the launch of a radio stream that ended with a call to action for further information about the product, a debit card. Continue Reading
Westwood One has released a report exploring the audio landscape, with podcasting and smart speakers drawing particular attention. The study leveraged data from the Share of Ear and Infinite Dial studies to explore trends for the podcast audience as well as tracking the adoption rates for smart speakers. Continue Reading
Amazon and Microsoft have integrated their digital assistants, which could open up new possibilities for cross-support of features and services outside of whatever hardware brand a user owns. Plans for an integration were announced last year, and the integration is just available as a preview in the U.S. right now. Continue Reading
New market research projects that Amazon will not hold its massive lead over the smart speaker space indefinitely. Strategy Analytics’ latest report expects that Google will pose the most immediate challenge to Amazon and Echo’s dominance. Continue Reading
Samsung has unveiled its first smart speaker, joining the product segment that has been rapidly growing and bolstering a boom in audio and voice tech. The Samsung Galaxy Home will run the conglomerate’s Bixby voice assistant and will put an emphasis on high-quality audio. Continue Reading
Sonos made its debut on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange today, and the wireless speaker company is reporting modest gains on its first day. In a very special nod to the company’s skills in audio engineering, Sonos spearheaded creating a new opening bell for the exchange. Continue Reading