NXP Semiconductors Completes Acquisition of Retune DSP

NXP expanded its already broad portfolio of voice enablement solutions with the acquisition of Retune DSP, the Denmark-based provider of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) software and algorithms for voice control and communication applications. Announced in July and now confirmed, the acquisition of Retune DSP adds three powerful voice DSP software products that will merge with NXP’s voice solutions. The combination with NXP’s broad customer base, global footprint and scale, promises to expand breakthrough voice solutions through combined R&D, sales force and customer support teams.

Synaptics and DSP Group, both Nasdaq listed, announced the signing of a definitive agreement, unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, whereby Synaptics acquires DSP Group at $22.00 per share in an all-cash transaction. Synaptics is the company from San Jose, CA, that in 2017 acquired Conexant, one of the industry's leading audio and voice technology specialists, and more recently acquired DisplayLink and the wireless connectivity business of Broadcom.

As rumored, Microsoft has announced the acquisition of Nuance Communications, the speech-to-text and voice recognition pioneer, for US$19.7 billion - the second-largest acquisition in Microsoft’s history. Microsoft apparently recognized the value of Nuance's efforts in healthcare, financial services, telco, retail, travel, and government applications, and recent investments in conversational AI. How will Microsoft leverage the company's products and technologies is certainly more related to his efforts in those very same verticals and synergy with its Office and Business software suites, than any effort to revive Cortana.

For the past 20 years, Nuance Communications, the voice recognition pioneer that was once Dragon Systems and ScanSoft, has been building deep domain expertise across verticals such as healthcare or retail. Now focusing on conversational AI and building AI‑powered solutions that amplify human intelligence, Nuance has announced the acquisition of Saykara, a like-minded startup focused on developing a mobile AI assistant to automate clinical documentation for physicians.

Sensory Inc., a Silicon Valley company that pioneered speech recognition and AI in consumer electronics, announced the acquisition of Vocalize.ai, a software tools and services company that performs benchmarking, accuracy assessments and bias evaluations for speech technologies and natural language interfaces. As part of the acquisition, Sensory will maintain Vocalize.ai as an independently operated division.

XMOS announced that it has completed the acquisition of Setem Technologies, a pioneer on algorithms that enable separation of voice or conversation signals within a crowded audio environment to achieve optimized input into speech recognition systems. The two companies have been collaborating on next generation voice interfaces and decided upon the combination of the companies to create a leading vendor in the fast-growing application area.

The market for anything related to far-field voice solutions has never been hotter, and acquisitions are a natural result of the increasing demand for those cutting edge technologies and engineering talent. Conexant Systems, a leading provider of audio and voice technology solutions based in Irvine, CA, announced an agreement to be acquired by Synaptics. Meanwhile, Synaptics also acquired the video and audio processing division of Marvell Technology Group.

Knowles completed the acquisition of Audience, following an updated offer for a mix of cash and shares of Knowles common stock. The acquisition and merger of the two companies was already approved by Korean regulators and should enable the world leader in MEMS devices and transducers for mobile devices to access Audience’s advanced voice and audio processing technologies.