In the latest research on the smart audio market, analysts see clear progress in the expansion of voice technology both in terms of the growing number of devices containing it, and the expanding uses to which voice control is being used. While much of the results of this latest survey are specific to smart speakers, this version goes well beyond that to looking at voice in all sorts of devices.
voice control
Leaked Internal Amazon Docs Show Users Quickly Tire of Smart Speakers

End of the Smart Speaker Era?
Amazon is widely credited with having created the entire smart speaker category with their Alexa voice-controlled Echo smart speaker and other products. The company has sold millions of them since their introduction in 2015, especially at often insane sale prices during the holiday selling season. But Bloomberg Businessweek has come into possession of leaked internal Amazon documents that paint a portrait of a category that appears to be in serious trouble, principally because it fails – often miserably – to retain consumer interest.
And, the documents show, not only do consumers lose their interest…they lose it quickly.
See more on smart speaker problems identified in Amazon internal docs
[Read more…] about Leaked Internal Amazon Docs Show Users Quickly Tire of Smart SpeakersNo Josh-ing, AudioControl & Josh.ai Partner for a Better User and Integrator Experience

AudioControl and Josh.ai announced last week that they were partnering with an integration that will allow integrators to offer their clients a better voice-enabled home entertainment control experience. A perfect blend of the high-quality electronics from AudioControl, coupled with the natural language and privacy protecting voice automation technology of Josh.ai, means clients can simply say their commands to their system and have their system respond in new powerful ways.
See more on this new AudioControl and Josh.ai integration…
[Read more…] about No Josh-ing, AudioControl & Josh.ai Partner for a Better User and Integrator ExperienceJosh.ai & Sonance Partner with Amp Integrations & TRUFIG Mount

Josh.ai announced today that they have a new multilevel partnership with Sonance that includes new integrations with Sonance amplifiers and a new TRUFIG flush mount for the Josh Micro device. The company says this new partnership allows their technology “to seamlessly fit into any architectural aesthetic.”
See more on the Josh.ai & Sonance alliance…
[Read more…] about Josh.ai & Sonance Partner with Amp Integrations & TRUFIG MountJosh.ai & Savant Partner on Advanced Voice Integration

Josh.ai announced this morning that it has partnered with Savant to bring their more intuitive voice command system to one of the leading control systems in custom integration. While there are many advantages to this partnership, a big one is bringing the seamless integration of voice commands to Savant’s renowned user-centric ‘scene’ feature.
See more on this Josh.ai & Savant partnership
[Read more…] about Josh.ai & Savant Partner on Advanced Voice IntegrationNew Study Says Voice-Controlled Assistants Aren’t Used Daily
As more research continues to emerge on consumer utilization of voice-controlled devices, it becomes clear that there are still impediments to end-users utilizing their voice-control capabilities regularly, according to research by Social Lens. A separate study by Nielsen reaffirms what Strata-gee has previously reported, that people use smart speakers more for listening to music, than for any other task…including voice-control of their home automation solutions.
See more on this pair of new studies on voice-controlled smart speakers… [Read more…] about New Study Says Voice-Controlled Assistants Aren’t Used Daily
Control4 Announces Appointment of Charlie Kindel, ex-Amazon
BREAKING NEWS
Former Head of Amazon’s Smart Home Org. to be
SVP of Products & Services for Control4
Control4 Corp. announced today that it has appointed Charlie Kindel, an ex-Amazon executive in charge of their Alexa project, to fulfill the role of Control4 Senior Vice President of Products & Services. Kindel is replacing Eric Anderson, who announced his retirement recently after holding the same role since 2012.
See more on Kindel joining Control4…
[Read more…] about Control4 Announces Appointment of Charlie Kindel, ex-Amazon
CE Week Panel: The Future Will Be Lead by Smart Speakers
One of the more interesting conference panels that took place at CE Week last week in the Jacob Javitz Center in Manhattan was a panel called, “Listening in the Living Room: How Smart Speakers are Striving to Be the Next Great Planform.” This panel featured Gary Schultz, Director, Business & Product Development, SDI Technologies Inc, the parent company of iHome and Andrew Vloyanetes, Sonos’s sales manager. The panel was moderated by John Quain, a contributor to The New York Times.
Some of what this panel had to say was in line with what you might expect – they are both pretty high on smart speakers and the category’s conjunction with voice control.
But there were some other interesting tidbits that emerged… [Read more…] about CE Week Panel: The Future Will Be Lead by Smart Speakers
Who Launched New Experience Centers Yesterday?
Yesterday, a major manufacturer who is very influential in the industry announced it was launching a series of “Experience Centers” across the country to help promote its brand. Perhaps you think I’m referring to Control4, who did announce such a program yesterday in partnership with 140 integrators around the country. But no, I’m referring to Amazon.com, who has partnered with one of the largest home builders in this country – Lennar – to build Amazon Experience Centers all around the U.S.