Canalys has released its latest numbers on smart speaker sales, and the research firm found that Google beat out Amazon for most units sold globally in Q1 2018. Overall, sales in this product category rose 210% to 9 million units based on Canalys’ accounting. Continue Reading
Amazon has shared its financial results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year 2017. “Our 2017 projections for Alexa were very optimistic, and we far exceeded them. We don’t see positive surprises of this magnitude very often — expect us to double down,” Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said. Continue Reading
Amazon announced that it will launch its Echo smart speaker line in Australia and New Zealand. Pre-orders for the devices begin today, and the first shipments are expected in early February. In addition the company is rolling out Amazon Music Unlimited in those two markets starting February 1. Continue Reading
Amazon Music Unlimited and the Amazon Echo have rolled out into 28 new countries. The on-demand streaming subscription service debuted in the United States in October 2016, and Amazon made voice controls and smart speaker access central components of using the music platform. It even offers tiered pricing for people who are part of its Prime program and who own an Echo device. Continue Reading
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) hosted a webinar to share data into smart speaker ownership. Of the more than 3,000 U.S. participants in its September music consumption survey by AudienceNet/LOOP, 10% said they owned an Amazon Echo and 3% owned a Google Home. The results shows a strong correlation between smart speaker ownership and use of the device for music consumption. Continue Reading
Amazon announced a rollout of several products in Canada. First, the Echo suite of smart speakers and the Alexa voice control system have launched in the country. Second, Amazon has launched Prime Music for Canadian listeners. Continue Reading
Amazon has rolled out its Echo smart speaker line in Japan. The Amazon Echo, Echo Plus, and Echo Dot are now available by invitation in the country. The devices will begin shipping in Japan next week. Continue Reading
Intelligence company NuVoodoo Media Services shared information about smart speaker ownership from its Ratings Prospects Study. The company asked almost 3,000 participants between the ages of 14 and 54 about the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot, and found an overall ownership rate of 15.5%. Continue Reading
Amazon hosted a jam-packed day of announcements on Wednesday, with a heavy focus on expanding its Echo product line and bringing its Alexa voice controls to more places. Continue Reading
XAPPmedia announced that in less than six months, it has deployed live Alexa voice skills for 119 radio stations. These custom commands allow quick, direct access to the stations on the Amazon Echo suite of home speakers and other technology using the Alexa system. Continue Reading
This week brings two updates from the growing Amazon entertainment and technology ecosystem. First is a new price option for its streaming music service, and second is a development for its Echo product line. Continue Reading
AirKast, a provider of mobile apps to radio stations, announced that it will provide free Alexa skills for all of its customers. That means more than 800 North American radio stations, syndicated radio hosts, and podcasters will receive voice commands so their work can be accessed on the Amazon Echo smart speaker. Continue Reading