Turning Up the Innovation on Smart Speaker Designs

For its December 2018 edition, audioXpress compiled a Voice Market Update that explores some of the latest developments and platforms for voice processing, with contributed articles from world-renowned experts in voice. In this article, Benwei Xin and Wenchau Albert Lo explain where designers should focus to Turn Up the Innovation on Smart Speaker Designs. This article was originally published in audioxpress, December 2018.

For this last edition of 2018, audioXpress compiled a Voice Market Update that explores some of the latest developments and platforms for voice processing, with contributed articles from world-renowned experts in voice. The December 2018 edition reviews the ZOTL Ultralinear Power Amplifier from Linear Tube Audio; explains how to explore Soviet Germanium Transistors; and measures new SMT Low-Voltage JFETs. This is an edition you don't want to miss.

Olympus introduced the DS-9500 Digital Recorder, a device designed to simplify professional workflows and increase dictation management efficiency through advanced features including WiFi technology, a superior noise canceling system, structural durability and enhanced security. Joining the DS-9500 is the new Olympus Dictation Management System Release 7 software, the Web SCP license and device management program, and the AS-9000 Transcription Kit.

XMOS will be showcasing their portfolio of far-field voice capture solutions for voice-enabled stereo smart TVs, soundbars, set-top boxes, and digital media adapter markets at GSMA Mobile World Congress 2018, Barcelona, 26th February to 1st March. XMOS will be demonstrating commercial solutions in development, and proof of concepts that capture voice commands accurately from across the room even when the audio appliances are playing content at high volume in complex noisy acoustic environments.

XMOS Ltd, a leading vendor in voice capture solutions for the OEM consumer electronics market, has successfully complete a $15M Series-E funding round. The round was led by Infineon Technologies with additional funding from existing investors Amadeus Capital Partners, Draper Esprit, Foundation Capital and Robert Bosch Venture Capital. Following previous platform cooperations, Infineon Technologies AG acquired a minority stake in the company, strengthening the strategic partnership.

XMOS announced the launch of its xCORE Array Microphone aggregation solution for voice user interfaces (VUI) in smart home applications. With the ability to aggregate up to 32 MEMS microphones, and offering USB and I2S backhaul, XMOS enables a new class of array microphones to be created. Applications include smart TVs, soundbars, virtual digital assistants (VDAs) and smart home automation.