Amazon Makes the High-Performance 7-Mic Voice Processing Technology from Amazon Echo Available to Third-Party Device Makers

Amazon announced that for the first time it is making the high-performance far-field microphone array and voice processing technology found in Amazon Echo available to hardware makers who want to build the Alexa experience into their products. With the Amazon Alexa 7-Mic Far-Field Development Kit, Amazon is making it easier for commercial developers to build and launch far-field voice-initiated products with Alexa by reducing development time and cost.

ANAM Electronics, a division of ANAM Group, manufacturer of premium quality A/V receiver and speaker products, announced a strategic partnership with turnkey WiFi audio solution provider Linkplay Technology. Linkplay is one of the first audio speaker platforms approved for integration with Amazon Alexa Voice Service (AVS). The partnership enables ANAM to bring these capabilities to its portfolio of A/V receiver, audio speaker, amplifier and smart home electronics customers.

Sonos announced PLAYBASE, the latest addition to its wireless home sound system and the newest speaker in their home theater lineup. Inspired by the simple insight that up to 70% of all TVs stand on furniture and are not mounted to the wall, PLAYBASE is a thin, yet powerful speaker that sits discreetly under the TV. Priced at $699 US and available in both black and white, PLAYBASE will be available globally starting on April 4, 2017.

Linkplay Technology, a WiFi audio solution provider, and one of the first audio platforms approved for integration with Alexa Voice Service (AVS), hosted 300 attendees from global speaker brands, OEMs and ODMs for an Amazon Alexa technology summit. The one day conference held in Shenzhen, China provided an opportunity to educate customers interested in designing and building Powered by Linkplay products with AVS.