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Tag: smart speaker

  • Smart Speakers Could Soon Detect Heart Attacks

    Smart Speakers Could Soon Detect Heart Attacks

    ‘Smart’ homes nowadays are incomplete without a voice assistant enabled speakers. These smart speakers have been becoming increasingly more popular as a household gadget. They bring a variety of both entertainment and practicality to its users. Tech giants like Amazon and Google have pushed for these type of products with their own Echo and Home products respectively. Latest updates constantly add more functions to such gadgets, like the ability to detect heart attacks being developed by certain researchers for emergencies.

    Smart Speakers

    A dedicated team from the University of Washington are working towards perfecting a machine learning algorithm that can detect heart attacks. The algorithm is trained to monitor sounds for agonal breathing, where sharp gasps of air are taken by the victim suffering from a heart attack. However, this type of respiration only holds true for about 50% of the victims during cardiac arrest. This tool is being developed to be built into the aforementioned smart speakers to help save lives.

    When detecting a heart attack, the devices can help raise an alarm even when the victim is incapacitated. The researchers behind the software are looking to make the process entirely seamless and in the background. This implies that the system can passively monitor the bedroom for breath patterns and under cases of attack it would automatically contact the authorities. A ‘contactless’ system from the smart speakers, as the team coined it, for relaying crucial information to concerned parties.

    Unfortunately, the feature is far from being commercially viable as of right now. The algorithm is still being trained with a broad range of data to reduce false positive results regarding agonal breathing. A number of scenarios from different angles and distances to the smart speakers are being currently tested. Audio from real 911 calls that were recorded in Seattle is also being used to train the AI that will run the system. Additionally, the audios include samples from sleep studies, with the system detecting agonal breathing 97% of the time from a distance of upto 6 metres.

    Smart Speakers

    Also Read: Samsung Fixes Galaxy Fold And Is Ready For Launch

    The system is relatively imperfect with false reports occasionally being treated positively. However, the team is working on ironing out such complications. Soon the world might just see a lot more applications similar to this in the future related to health, fitness and security with the smart speakers. For example, Alexa is capable of listening to the sound of glass breaking and alerting users of a potential break-in, a well thought after feature. Emergency safety nets are always a necessity as every life is important.

  • Huawei Announces AI Enabled Smart Speaker

    Huawei Announces AI Enabled Smart Speaker

    Earlier this month, Huawei released their Mate 20 series smartphones in London. And now, the company has launched the Mate 20 trio in the Chinese market. Along with the Mate 20 smartphones, the company also launched a smart AI speaker which draws a lot of inspiration Apple’s HomePod.

    The Rise Of AI Speakers

    Apple
    HomePod

    With the advancements in AI (Aritficial Intelligence) and Virtual Assistant technology , the smart speaker market is getting very hot. Top tech companies are working hard to grab their shares in this new industry. Companies like Google, Amazon & Apple already offer smart speakers and recently the Chinese tech titan Huawei, has jumped on the bandwagon with a budget AI speaker.

    Huawei’s Fatboy AI Speaker

    While the overall design is pretty similar to that of the Apple HomePod, the LED ring on the top and the four control buttons remind us of another smart speaker. The AI speaker from Huawei looks like a chubby sibling of the Alexa powered Amazon Echo Plus. The speaker has a cylindrical design with control buttons on the top. It has 6 michrophone pinholes on top and a circular ring light around the controls. The Huawei AI speaker has 4 top mounted buttons to control all its functionalities. It includes volume up & down button, mic mute button and a call receive button. The AI speaker can be connected to a smartphone and directly receive calls.

    The Huawei AI speaker uses a 2.25 inch sound driver that has a power output of 10 W along with two passive bass radiators. The company claims these help in creating a more natural sound effect and powerful bass performance. For acoustic systems and design co-creation, Huawei partnered with Dynaudio which is a Danish loudspeaker maker. The smart speaker uses Huawei’s “Histen” algorithm which is a music equaliser and sound effect controlling software available on their smartphones.

    The brains of the smart speaker are powered by Huawei’s “Xiaoyi” voice assistant which enables it to interact with HiLink supporting smart devices like lights, air purifiers, security cameras and more.

    Also read: Huawei Mate 20 Pro Launched in China With New Variant

    The Huawei AI speaker has a price tag of 399 CNY (around Rs. 4,000) which is much less compared to other smart speakers available in the market. Huawei is yet to comment on it’s global launch or the date of sale.

  • Amazon Echo Plus Unboxing And First look

    Amazon Echo Plus Unboxing And First look

    The new Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) has been launched and it hosts a lot of improvements over the previous generation. The new improved Echo Plus is different both inside and out. With improved sound quality and some evident design changes, the Echo Plus looks promising, to say the least. Launched at a price of Rs 14,999, we take a look at what it packs inside.

    Inside The Box

    The  Box houses the device itself, a quick start manual and warranty information. Apart from this, it houses the wall adapter which powers the Echo Plus. The wall adapter has a really long wire, ensuring that you can place the device at a spot of your convenience.

    Design Changes

    The new Echo Plus has a brand new design with a fabric mesh on the outside, giving it a really classy look. This is quite an improvement over the previous generation which had a plastic build. The redesigned Echo Plus actually looks like a device which is meant to be a part of your home, rather than the machine-like design of the previous generation.

    The new Echo Plus is shorter but broader but is lighter than the previous version. The device has 4 control buttons on the top. Two of these let you control its volume while one is to disable your microphone and the other is to launch Alexa without having to call out to her. The Amazon logo has been moved to the bottom of the device. The Echo Plus has an LED rim which flashes blue when Alexa is listening to you or is saying something. The ring turns red when you deactivate the microphone. Near the bottom end of the device is the 3.5 mm aux port and the power port.

    Audio Features

    The Echo Plus claims better sound quality than the previous generation and is equipped with omnidirectional Dolby Audio. The device has a 0.8-inch tweeter and a 3-inch subwoofer. The tweeter is present in the lower half of the device, therefore improving the overall sound output. The improvement in sounds quality is quite evident and it has a pretty broad volume range. The Echo Plus is able to fill the room with good quality sound. Obviously, the sound quality will not match that of a dedicated speaker.

    More than the output, the device can also hear you over the sound of whatever is playing. For example, even if you’ve got rock music blaring at full volume, Alexa responds to you and makes sure your command is executed. An interesting feature is the ability for it to connect to other Alexa enabled devices. So you can pair up your Echo Plus device with an Echo Spot or an Echo Dot and play your content across multiple rooms. Additionally, the device can also be connected to other speakers via the Aux port, which will result in better sound. Unfortunately, the device needs power at all times and is therefore not portable.

    Home Control & Smart Capabilities

    The highlight of the Echo Plus is the fact that it is a smart speaker. This means that the device has the ability to connect with and control smart appliances at your home as well as perform a variety of tasks with the help of Alexa.

    The device can control switches, cameras, thermostats and bulbs among other smart devices. You can then control these devices just by using your voice. With Alexa’s increasing popularity, more and more manufacturers are producing devices which have Alexa integration.

    Apart from connecting to smart devices, the speaker can perform multiple tasks, thanks to Alexa integration. You can ask the Echo Plus about the weather, a roundup of the latest news, to tell you a joke or even manage your calendar. It can also book a cab, order food and get you information from multiple sources. The device also has the feature to make calls through your mobile, but this is not available in India as of now.

    Also Read: Top Smartphone Deals On Amazon Great Indian Sale

    Rounding Up

    The impressions from our initial use of the device prove that the Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Generation) is an obvious improvement over its predecessor. With a better and classier design, enhanced sound quality and integration of multiple features, it does stand out in its segment. The Echo Plus is available on Amazon for a price of Rs 14,999.

    You can check out our video of the Amazon Echo Plus below:

     

  • Amazon Echo Dot Now Priced At Rs 4099 In India, Echo Receives A Price Cut As Well

    Amazon Echo Dot Now Priced At Rs 4099 In India, Echo Receives A Price Cut As Well

    The smart speaker industry has been on the rise in India. After the entry of Amazon’s Echo line of speakers, Google recently launched the Home and Home Mini in India as well. Up until now, the Google Home Mini and Google Home were priced on par with the Echo Dot and Echo, respectively. Amazon, however, has announced a price cut for the two smart speakers, making them more affordable than Google’s offerings.

    [amazon_link asins=’B071NB4PGV’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’igyaan-21′ marketplace=’IN’ link_id=’c18f518e-6bc3-11e8-8ae0-5fd59762d9f3′]

    The Google Home Mini, which was launched at a price of Rs 4499 has received a price cut of Rs 400. The ultra-affordable smart speaker from Amazon is now priced at Rs 4099. The Amazon Echo, which is the mid-table offering from Amazon in India receives a Rs 1000 price cut. The second gen Echo is now priced at Rs 8999. Its main competitor, the Google Home is still priced at Rs 9999 in India.

    Apart from the Echo and Echo Dot, the company has also launched the Echo Plus and Echo Spot in India. However, these two smart speakers will continue to retail at their launch prices. The Echo Spot is the only smart speaker in India which has a display. While an interesting prospect, the Echo Spot with its tiny round display does not have a lot of implementations which would be useful in countries like in India.

    [amazon_link asins=’B0749YXL1J’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’igyaan-21′ marketplace=’IN’ link_id=’caab5210-6bc3-11e8-88e7-6336f0230f4e’]

    At the Amazon Hardware show, the company launched a refreshed version of the Amazon Echo of 2014. In India, it is available in a host of different finishes like wood and cloth. It is a smart speaker and does things at your (voice) command like book an Uber, place an order on Zomato or play your favourite playlist from Saavn. The device measures at 148.5 x 88 x 88 mm and weighs 821 grams. It features 2.5-inch woofer and 0.6-inch bass tweeter.

    The Amazon Echo Dot is the smallest sibling of the Echo lineup and has all the functionalities that an Amazon Echo possesses but, with an inferior sound quality. The device measures at 83.5 x 83.5 x 32 mm and weighs 163 grams. A good thing about the Echo Dot is that it can be connected to other speakers for a better soundstage and still retain its core ‘smart’ features.

    The Amazon Echo Dot is a great entry-level smart speaker for users just getting into the smart home game. Whether this price cut will help Amazon reduce competition from the likes of Google Home speakers is yet to be seen.

  • Apple Could Launch A Lower-Priced HomePod After Disappointing HomePod Sales

    Apple Could Launch A Lower-Priced HomePod After Disappointing HomePod Sales

    At the Worldwide Developer’s Conference 2017, Apple unveiled its first-ever smart speaker, the Apple HomePod. After a lot of delays, it finally went on sale on the 27th of January. So far, the smart speaker from Apple has been very well-received by critics for its sound quality. However, it appears that quality in performance has not translated into sales for Apple. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at KGI Securities, HomePod shipments “could be far below market expectations” this year.

    In a research note, Kuo has said that the market expects HomePod shipments to arrive at 5-10 million units in the 2018 fiscal year. But, according to their forecast, 2 to 2.5 million units of HomePod will be shipped this fiscal year. The major factors that could have impacted the sales of the smart speaker are its design and pricing.

    The HomePod retails for US$ 349 in the US and Kuo believes this high price could “could undermine demand despite the excellent sound quality.” While the Google Home Max is even pricier at US$ 399, Google also sells the cheaper Google Home Mini and Google Home, which have the same smart qualities albeit a much lower price. This means that Apple might be persuaded into launching an affordable version of its smart speaker, especially since that is what its competitors are doing as well.

    Google Home, Home Mini

    Ming-Chi Kuo has said the lower-cost HomePod might be a quick fix for sales but, not a long-term option. He believes Apple needs to improve Siri, support more languages, and make other improvements to its smart speaker to stay competitive in the market. Kuo has often been right in predicting Apple’s products and recent rumours certainly support his claim for a more affordable HomePod. However, whether these predictions will indeed be proven right is yet to be seen.

    The Worldwide Developer’s Conference 2018 is just around the corner and like in 2017, Apple could unveil this lower-priced HomePod at WWDC.

  • Google Home Smart Speakers Will Launch Exclusively On Flipkart

    Google Home Smart Speakers Will Launch Exclusively On Flipkart

    Google India is hosting an event on the 10th of April for the launch of the Google Home smart speakers. Flipkart has now made a dedicated page for the Google Home speakers. The Flipkart page features a Google Home and Google Home Mini with a hashtag #MakeGoogleDoIt. Additionally, the page also mentions different capabilities of these devices like hands-free play and pause gestures.

    The Google Home and the Google Home Mini are the first set of smart speakers from the company which will also be powered by the Google Assistant. These smart speakers need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network. The speakers act as great music players but once connected they can be used to also control different smart home accessories like a smart bulb. Additionally, these speakers can also be used to schedule a task, set an alarm, ask for trivia or the latest news.

    As of now, the only competition the Google’s smart speaker lineup is the Amazon Echo series of smart speakers. Amazon had launched the Echo Plus, Echo, and Echo Dot in India for a price of Rs 14,990, 9,999, and 4,499 respectively. Considering these prices, the Google Home and Google Home Mini are likely to be priced at Rs 9,999 and Rs 4,499 respectively. However, the official price might vary a bit.

    Google Home Specs

    Available in two color variants one with White, while the other a Slate fabric finish. The larger smart speaker has a 2 inch driver with dual 2 inch passive radiators. The speaker requires 16.5 Volts and 2A current, which is why the speaker is needed to be connected to a power source at all times. One can connect to these speakers using an iOS or Android smartphone using the Google Home app. The speaker supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi Bands . Additionally, these speakers can be connected to run as a single set of speakers or for multi room playback.

    Weight (g)
    477
    Supported Audio Formats
    HE-AAC, LC-AAC, MP3, Vorbis, WAV (LPCM), FLAC, Opus
    Wireless network
    802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5Ghz) Wi-Fi
    Speaker
    2in driver + dual 2in passive radiators
    Connections
    DC power jack, Micro-USB port (for service only)
    Google Home Mini Specs

    The Mini has a similar functionality in a compact form factor. The speaker will launch in three different finishes, which includes Chalk, Charcoal, and Coral. Due to smaller form factor, it requires 5 Volts and 1.8 Amps power. However, it packs in a smaller speaker, which might not be able to fill out even a small room.

    Weight Approximate

    173 g

    Height

    4.2 cm

    Colour

    Chalk

    Sound System

    360° Circle Sound

    Wireless Speakers

    Yes

    Power Source

    Power Adapter

     

  • Google Home Smart Speakers To Launch In India In April

    Google Home Smart Speakers To Launch In India In April

    The smart speakers industry has been thriving globally for a couple of years now. The Apple HomePod has recently joined the Amazon’s Echo lineup and Google’s Home speakers. In India, however, the only notable smart speakers available are the Amazon Echo speakers and the recently launched Eufy Genie. That is about to change, as Google will launch its Home smart speakers in India some time in April.

    A new report claims that Reddington India has apparently communicated with its retailers about the scheduled launch. Right now, Google has three smart speakers in its Home lineup.], the Google Home Mini, Home and Home Max. In India, however, the company will to launch just the Home Mini and Home.

    The Google Home Mini, launched as a competitor to the Amazon Echo Dot will launched at under Rs 5000. The smart home craze is still at a very nascent stage in India so, it will be interesting to see the battle between Google and Amazon here.

    google home 3

    Of course, the Google Assistant powers the Home speakers. The smart speakers will be able to play songs, set reminders and call people with just a voice command. If users have smart products installed, the speakers will be able to control those as well. The Google Home smart speakers are expected to be optimised with local Indian languages, just like its AI assistant is.

    The pricing here will play a huge part in consumers choosing the Google Home speakers over the Amazon Echo lineup. More details will follow.

  • Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker Officially Launched

    Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker Officially Launched

    Xiaomi has launched one of the most affordable Mi A1 Speaker in China. The accessory has been launched along with the Mi MIX 2s and the Mi Gaming Laptop. The Mi AI Speaker comes with a cubical design with rounded corners. The speaker is priced at 169 Yuan (Rs 1,699) in China. The speaker has a shiny white plastic build quality, which is acceptable for the price tag. As of now, the company has not made any announcement on the global availability.

    The mini speaker is powered by AI, which has an access to more than 35 million songs. Additionally, the speaker can also work as a smart alarm clock, with the ability to schedule a memo or a reminder. Similarly, the speaker can also voice-dictate news, information, or even you can make enquiries about upcoming and popular movies.

    Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker

    Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker Specs

    The smart speaker is powered by the Cortex -A7 Quad-core chipset with 1.2 GHz clock speed. It supports 2.4Hz Wi-Fi band, Bluetooth 4.1 and has a total of 4 microphones. Like most of the Smart speakers, the device has to be connected to a power source using a micro USB port.

    On the top, it has volume and navigation buttons surrounded by four microphones. Additionally, the device has a tiny RGB LED, which changes colour according to the task. The Xiaomi Mi A1 Speaker can work with either Android or iOS smartphone running on Android 4.4 KitKat and iOS 8.0 or the latest OS.

  • Google Assistant Powered LG ThinQ Smart Display Now Available For Pre-Order

    Google Assistant Powered LG ThinQ Smart Display Now Available For Pre-Order

    Evern since Google launched the Pixel 2 and the iPhone X came with a Bionic chipset, the trend of AI has been on a rise. Companies like Apple, Amazon, and Samsung have their own voice assistants, while the others have incorporated Google Assistant. At the CES 2018, LG announced the ThinQ Smart Display with Google Assistant and ThinQ Smart Assistant speaker. Both smart home accessories are now available on B&H for pre-order in the USA.

    Pricing and availability

    The LG ThinQ Smart Display with Google Assistant is priced at US$ 296.99 and the ThinQ Smart Assistant speaker is priced at US$ 196.99. Both models are available for pre-order. However, the website has not mentioned the shipping date.

    LG ThinQ Smart Display

    Features of LG ThinQ Smart Display

    The device has an 8 inch touchscreen display powered by LG ThinQ Artificial Intelligence. The device offers a premium sound clarity using Meridian Audio’s advanced technologies. Similarly, the device also comes with Google Assistant and support for Chromecast. The smart speaker has a front-facing camera. LG also claims that the device offers an immersive smart speaker experience using a touchscreen display. In fact, the speaker setup can be completed without connecting to a smartphone. However, just like every other smart speaker, the ThinQ Smart Display with Google Assistant requires an active Wi-Fi connection.

    Features of LG ThinQ Smart Speaker

    The device is similar to the most of the smart speakers. It comes in a cylindrical shape powered by  LG ThinQ Artificial Intelligence. Similarly, the speaker also supports Google Assistant and comes with a dedicated button on the top with volume and pause/play button. The smart speaker is certified to support Hi-Res Audio (192kHz/24bit) with built-in Google Assistant and Google Chromecast.

  • Apple HomePods Are Leaving A White Stain On Wooden Surfaces

    Apple HomePods Are Leaving A White Stain On Wooden Surfaces

    The Apple HomePod is Apple’s answer to Amazon Echo and Google Home. Ever since its launch, the HomePod has received rave reviews. It is even being termed as the best-sounding smart speaker on the market right now. According to a number of HomePod users, the Siri-powered speaker tends to leave a permanent mark on the wooden surface. The marks are quite reminiscent of a hollow circle, that has a major effect on the oil-based wood table.

    After such complaints, Apple updated its official support page for HomePod. It now reads:

    It is not unusual for any speaker with a vibration-dampening silicone base to leave mild marks when placed on some wooden surfaces. The marks can be caused by oils diffusing between the silicone base and the table surface, and will often go away after several days when the speaker is removed from the wooden surface.

    If not, wiping the surface gently with a soft damp or dry cloth may remove the marks. However, if marks persist, clean the surface with the furniture manufacturer’s recommended cleaning process. If you’re concerned about this, we recommend placing your HomePod on a different surface.

    HomePod’s Base is made using soft Silicone, which is known to observe oil on a molecular level, which makes the table dry creating a permanent mark. Apple announced its Siri-powered smart speaker HomePod at its developer conference in June 2017. At the time, the company said it would go on sale in December 2017. However, due to some reasons, Apple pushed the release and it went on sale on the 9th of February.

    Apple HomePod

    Powered by the same chipset as the iPhone 6, the smart speaker runs on the A8 chipset. It has built-in Siri, six microphones and HomeKit support to control compatible smart home devices. An interesting feature is the ability to automatically optimise sound for a given room. The Google Home Max also has a similar feature where it automatically optimises the sound based on where it is kept in a room. It also has seven tweeters and a high excursion woofer.

    Despite the late launch, the HomePod will ship without features like AirPlay 2, which allows pairing and multiroom audio.

     

  • Apple HomePod Smart Speaker Up For Pre-Orders For US$ 349

    Apple HomePod Smart Speaker Up For Pre-Orders For US$ 349

    Apple announced its Siri-powered smart speaker HomePod at its developer conference in June 2017. At the time, the company said it would go on sale in December 2017. However, due to some reasons, Apple pushed the release and it is now finally available in the US, UK and Australia at a price of US$ 349. The HomePod will hit the stores on February 9th and that is the shipping date of the pre-ordered units as well. It will be available in two colour variants, white and space grey.

    HomePod

    While the fanfare around an Apple product launch is enough for it to be sold out within minutes, the HomePod is still available for pre-orders. Even though it is a new kind of product from Apple, the company still makes about two-thirds of its sales from its smartphones.

    The HomePod is powered by Apple’s A8 chip, which also powered the iPhone 6. It has built-in Siri, six microphones and HomeKit support to control compatible smart home devices. An interesting feature is the ability to automatically optimise sound for a given room. The Google Home Max also has a similar feature where it automatically optimises the sound based on where it is kept in a room. It also has seven tweeters and a high excursion woofer.

    Despite the late launch, the HomePod will ship without features like AirPlay 2, which allows pairing and multiroom audio. Apple has said that those features will be added via a software update.

    The Competition

    Amazon and Google are its two biggest competitors in this industry. For its size, the Apple HomePod is the priciest offering in the market. The Google Home Max is much larger and is priced at US$ 399. The Google Home is priced at US$129 while the Amazon Echo costs US$ 99. Both Google and Amazon offer an ultra-affordable variant of their smart speakers, the Google Home Mini and Amazon Echo Dot. Both are priced at US$ 49.

    A lot of smart speakers in the market also support Spotify playback, the most successful music streaming service now. The HomePod, however, will only support Apple Music.

    There is no word on the HomePod’s availability in the Indian market as of now. With Google also not bringing its smart speakers in the Indian market, it’ll be interesting to see both the company’s strategy for India.

    You can pre-order it here

  • Facebook Is Working On An Amazon Echo Show Competitor

    Facebook Is Working On An Amazon Echo Show Competitor

    Facebook is more than just a social networking service and has been constantly expanding its business. From buying Instagram to acquiring WhatsApp, the most popular instant messaging service, the company is widening its reach every acquisition. One thing that Facebook has so far failed impress in, is its hardware capabilities. Back in 2013, Facebook launched an HTC-made smartphone that revolved around its social networking services. The smartphone failed to impress the consumers and disappeared in a few months.

    For a few months, there have been rumours of Facebook working on a smart speaker with a display, much like the Amazon Echo Show, which will have Facebook and its other social networking services at its heart. The device will reportedly be called Portal and is expected to be priced at US $499, which is more than double of what an Alexa-powered Amazon Echo Show costs.

    Facebook is planning to unveil the device in May 2018 at its developer’s conference and start shipping it by the end of the year. It will be interesting to see how Facebook Portal will compete with other smart speakers with a display as Google also announced a slew of companies that will be manufacturing Assistant-powered speakers with a display.

    JBL Link View Powered By Google Assistant

    A previous report claims that it would have a display of between 13 to 15 inches, almost double of what is found on the Echo Show. The tablet-like device will respond to voice commands and use facial recognition technology, something Facebook has been taking very seriously off-late will provide a personalised experience to different people in the house.

    The Facebook Portal could also be a part of Facebook’s plan to become the largest video streaming service in the world. With a huge display and the ease of voice commands, the Portal could become a primary source of video consumption for people active on social media and the company could launch its streaming service with the new smart speaker. You could read everything about Facebook’s new streaming service, Watch here.

     

  • Xiaomi Yeelight Voice Assistant Is Its Answer To The Amazon Echo Dot

    Xiaomi Yeelight Voice Assistant Is Its Answer To The Amazon Echo Dot

    The smart speaker segment is becoming increasingly crowded nowadays. While the products started as a pricey investment into smart home tech, the likes of Amazon Echo Dot or the Google Home Mini can be bought for US $49 or less. However, one company is stepping into the segment which is known for making cost-effective smart home products but, mainly keeps them in its native market of China. Xiaomi, the famous Chinese smartphone maker has introduced the Yeelight Voice Assistant, a smart speaker which will reportedly cost about US $30.

    The new smart speaker will be powered by Microsoft’s own voice assistant Cortana, which could be mainly due to the partnership between Xiaomi and Microsoft to use some of Microsoft’s services in Xiaomi’s products. However, it is believed that the smart speaker will be powered by both Cortana and Amazon Alexa, which will definitely make the smart speaker a much more compatible smart speaker.

    Apart from it being a smart speaker, the Yeelight Voice Assistant looks strikingly similar to the Echo Dot. With a similar colour combination of white with a blue light, the speaker grill on top and the size and shape of the speaker, anyone will be forgiven for mistaking it as the Echo Dot in the first glance.

    The Yeelight Voice Assistant is a 2-watt speaker with six microphones to make it easier for it to pick up the user’s voice. The smart speaker also has a long-range voice activation capability wherein it can be activated from up to 5 meters of distance. Xiaomi claims that this possible thanks to an advanced voice wake-up algorithm.

    Powering the smart speaker is a Cortex A53 quad-core processor with 256MB of RAM and an equal amount of internal storage space. This storage is likely for caching personal preferences or other specific user details.

    The smart speaker, as of now, is only listed on the company’s crowdsourcing platform for a price of US $30 or roughly Rs. 1800.

  • Harman Kardon Launches Allure Speaker In India, With Alexa Voice Control

    Harman Kardon Launches Allure Speaker In India, With Alexa Voice Control

    Harman International has announced the launch of its new smart speaker, the Harman Kardon Allure in India at a price of Rs. 22,490. The smart speaker will be available exclusively via to Amazon Prime members as of nowThe Alexa powered, Harman Kardon Allure can be controlled via voice commands, much like several other speakers in the market. i.e. Google Home, Amazon Echo etc.

    The smart speaker lets you order pizza, play music, read the news, control your smart home appliances, make purchases from Amazon, and much more. Harman Kardon Allure features far-field voice technology which allows the speaker to hear commands even from a far distance. The speaker’s 360-degree ambient lighting that glows in tune with the music is a nifty little feature as well.

    The Harman Kardon Allure was first launched at IFA 2017 in August at a price of US $249.95 (Rs. 16,000 approx.) and the Indian variant has all the same features as the global variant of the smart speaker.

    Amazon Alexa was officially launched in India in October. The service brings a lot of India-specific skills from sectors like Travel, Food, Sports & Entertainment updates, News and Education, and Home Services and much more.

    Key Features of Harman Kardon Allure
    Amazon Alexa Voice Control
    Dual-band WiFi
    Far-field Voice Recognition
    Built-in four microphones with advanced noise cancellation
    360-degree sound
    Ambient lighting
    Bluetooth 4.2

  • Google Launches The Google Max For US$399

    Google Launches The Google Max For US$399

    After the announcement of a small speaker focussed more on AI, Google has launched the Google Max smart speaker. The Google Max will focus a lot on bass and the company claims it is 20 times louder than Google Home.

    Google Max will concentrate on “smart sound.” For example, if the speaker is near a wall or on a shelf, it sounds different. Google is automatically tuning it. “This is all done dynamically” and it can change sound automatically. Google Max supports YouTube Music, Spotify and all other major music streaming services. The Google Max is also powered by Google Assistant and can recognise your voice even if the music is playing loudly thanks to a smart mic placed in the speaker. Home Max has two 4.5 inch woofers with tweeters covered by a fabric speaker grill. It features touch controls, supports Bluetooth as well as Google Cast and has a 3.5mm audio jack.

    Just like Apple’s HomePod, the Home Max can tune itself for the room it’s placed in using a machine learning feature called Smart Sound. Google says Smart Sound can tune the Home Max for the audio you’re listening to, be it a song, podcast, or a phone call.

    The Google Max will be available in the US in December for a price of US$399 and will be available in two colour variants. It will make its way to other countries in early 2018.

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