All items written by audioXpress Staff
Sonos Adds Google Assistant Support via Free Software Update
May 15, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

Sonos Adds Google Assistant Support via Free Software Update

Sonos confirmed the introduction of Google Assistant smart voice control to its Sonos One or Sonos Beam speakers, allowing users to easily start a song, queue a TV show, control smart home devices, and get calendar and traffic updates. For now, the service is available in the United States, with additional countries to follow in July 2019. As the first company to bring multiple voice assistants to the same sound system, Sonos demonstrates the power of its open, multi-partner platform.
Read more...
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant In Neck and Neck Fight For Smart Speaker Leadership
May 15, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant In Neck and Neck Fight For Smart Speaker Leadership

The Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant platforms will take an almost equal share of the global smart speaker market this year, according to the latest forecast from Strategy Analytics. Amazon Alexa had a 37.7% share of sales in 2018, but this will decline to 31.7% in 2019, while Google Assistant’s share will rise from 30.3% to 31.4%, the company predicts. Global sales of all smart speakers are expected to reach 135 million units in 2019, a growth rate of 57%.
Read more...
Harman's Luxury Audio Division Introduces Flagship Lexicon SL-1 High-End Adaptive Speaker
May 14, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

Harman's Luxury Audio Division Introduces Flagship Lexicon SL-1 High-End Adaptive Speaker

During the 2019 High End Show in Munich, Germany, Harman unveiled the new controllable Lexicon SoundSteer SL-1 loudspeaker system, using 66 drivers arranged in a 360-degree configuration, and 46 discrete amplifier channels with a music output of 1,300 watts. Truly, a smart speaker on steroids, the SL-1 combines all the latest innovations in advanced beam steering technology.
Read more...
Voice Algorithm Software Ecosystem Expected to Increase Significantly
May 14, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

Voice Algorithm Software Ecosystem Expected to Increase Significantly

The massive growth in the voice assistant market has created a vibrant ecosystem and significant opportunities for hardware and software developers. Total voice software unit shipments are expected to increase significantly to 2024, according to SAR Insight & Consulting. The firm latest report forecasts a larger increase in voice software, especially within home devices such as smart speakers, soundbars, smart TVs and smart appliances.
Read more...
Neutrik Fights Product Piracy and Announces Initiatives to Protect Its Patents and Trademarks
May 14, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

Neutrik Fights Product Piracy and Announces Initiatives to Protect Its Patents and Trademarks

At the 2019 Prolight+Sound show in Frankfurt, Neutrik went on a determined offensive against product piracy. Following Neutrik’s request, police seized numerous products that clearly violate intellectual property rights. Moreover, extensive warnings to cease and desist have also been sent to the companies concerned and further legal action has already been launched by the famous manufacturer of professional connector products for audio and video.
Read more...
Melco Introduces Intelligent Music Library in Collaboration with SongKong
May 13, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

Melco Introduces Intelligent Music Library in Collaboration with SongKong

Responding to the frustrations of many owners of digital music libraries to find and quickly play music in large and varied music collections, Melco introduced a new powerful music search/metadata software incorporating MinimServer's Intelligent Browsing with SongKong metadata within Melco hardware. The solution, introduced at the 2019 High End show in Munich, breaks free from the constraints of the physical CD that was used to rip music into Melco's servers, now offering metadata integration matching users' search and intentions.
Read more...
Native Instruments KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 Increases Audio Quality in a USB-Powered Audio Interface
May 13, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

Native Instruments KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 Increases Audio Quality in a USB-Powered Audio Interface

Berlin-based Native Instruments launched a new six-channel audio USB audio interface that directly addresses the needs of musicians. The second generation KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 follows the release of KOMPLETE AUDIO 1 and 2 earlier in 2019, completing a new generation of audio interfaces that fulfill the needs of small bands, duos, or solo producers with a flexible set of connections for studio or stage.
Read more...
Wireworld Introduces Second Generation Flat Ethernet and New USB Type C Cables
May 13, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

Wireworld Introduces Second Generation Flat Ethernet and New USB Type C Cables

With the audio market increasingly using digital data interfaces for the most demanding applications, Wireworld Cable Technology, one of the world's most respected brands of high performance audio and video cables, announced the release of their second generation Ethernet patch cables. The new “Series 8” patented flat design uses higher density triple-layer shields and quieter Composilex 3 insulation to maximize audible and visible performance.
Read more...
Naim Introduces Much Improved 2nd Generation Mu-so Integrated Music Streaming System
May 10, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

Naim Introduces Much Improved 2nd Generation Mu-so Integrated Music Streaming System

Naim Audio has launched the 2nd Generation of its Mu-so wireless music system. Mu-so 2nd Generation evolves the iconic styling of its predecessor, combining dramatically improved performance, features and functionalities under the already familiar luxury aluminum casing design. From high-resolution streaming to AirPlay 2 support, from multiroom music to TV sound with room compensation, the British hi-fi specialist updates in all aspects this unique all-in-one wireless system.
Read more...
New PMC fact Signature loudspeakers Introduced at High End 2019
May 10, 2019 by audioXpress Staff

New PMC fact Signature loudspeakers Introduced at High End 2019

The High End show in Munich, Germany, opened with a blast on a first day filled with press conferences and dealer events, where there was no shortage of great sounding speakers. First among many and no doubt among the best quality to be found at the show are the new PMC fact signature speakers. These are re-engineered versions of the renowned fact.8 and fact.12 loudspeakers, with innovations and technology developed for the recently launched fact fenestria flagship, introduced in 2018 precisely at the Munich show.
Read more...