Voice-Controlled Portable Speakers to Reach 27 Million Shipments in 2025

Voice-controlled portable speakers are enjoying a moment in the sun, with almost 27 million units expected to ship in 2025, according to the latest research conducted by SAR Insight & Consulting. In its latest in-depth report, ‘Portable Speakers: market growth, technology trends, forecasts and competitive analysis,’ the market research and analysis firm looks closely at the technology trends and consumer behavior that will foster growth in the specific segment.

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, the inventor of mp3 and primary developer of the xHE-AAC and MPEG-H Audio standards, announced that NXP Semiconductors has licensed Fraunhofer’s MPEG audio SDK. The complete software package covers four generations of audio codecs, from legacy MPEG Layer-1/2/3 to the next-generation MPEG-H 3D Audio standard and the AAC codec family, including xHE-AAC. NXP will incorporate these codecs in home entertainment product development, from set-top boxes and soundbars to smart speakers.