Articles about smart speakers

Does ‘Kimi’ deliver the goods? Thriller aims to capitalize on Alexa, Siri … and Seattle’s tech cachet

Once again, Seattle’s tech scene provides the backdrop for a high-profile movie on HBO Max — but this time, it’s… Read More

UW scientists turn Amazon’s Alexa into heart monitoring device using sound waves

Researchers at the University of Washington have figured out a way to use machine-learning algorithms to turn smart speakers into… Read More

Microsoft to sunset Cortana on iOS and Android in pivot to ‘productivity-focused’ assistant

Microsoft will shut down Cortana on a wide range of devices, reflecting the challenge for third-party voice assistants attempting to… Read More

Is Alexa always listening? New study examines accidental triggers of digital assistants

The listening capacity of digital assistants like Alexa and Siri has become a major privacy sticking point in the last… Read More

Amazon devices chief on Sonos accusations: ‘We have tried to be a great partner to them’

Amazon’s head of devices is maintaining an amicable tone toward Sonos despite accusations of stolen technology and bullying from the… Read More

Tech’s extraordinary decade: What mattered most in the past 10 years of innovation

What were the top tech stories of the past decade? I’ve been discussing this topic with others recently on LinkedIn,… Read More

Amazon dominates global smart speaker sales as Google continues to lag behind

Despite a growing list of challengers, Amazon remains the dominant force in the global smart speaker market, accounting for more… Read More

Univ. of Washington researchers make futuristic baby monitors from smart speakers

Alexa could soon be the ultimate baby monitor. Researchers at the University of Washington created a speaker system that is… Read More

Baidu surges past Google in global smart speaker sales, becoming the new #2 behind Amazon Echo

Baidu is now the No. 2 smart speaker seller in the world, roaring past Google and trailing only Amazon. According… Read More

Can Alexa help detect a heart attack? Researchers explore life-saving potential of smart speakers

At the onset of a heart attack, people often have a few telltale symptoms: pain in the chest or arm,… Read More

Walmart and Google team up for new voice-powered shopping experience in battle against Amazon

Walmart today unveiled a new partnership with Google’s virtual assistant to let customers shop via voice command, the latest integration… Read More

Google Assistant comes in first and Cortana finishes last in smart speaker Q&A test

The Google Assistant finished tops among the digital brains that power smart speakers in an extensive Q&A test, answering nearly… Read More

Turn up the tunes: Despite clever gimmicks, music still reigns king on smart speakers

It seems like smart assistants are learning new tricks every day, from cooking microwave popcorn to helping users get flu… Read More

Podcast

Geared Up Podcast: Is the Xbox All Access subscription actually a good deal?

Microsoft announced a strange new subscription-style plan for Xbox this week, called All Access. It basically bundles existing gaming subscriptions… Read More

Smart speaker sales take off globally, but consumer appetite for novel uses is fickle

While the quarter-by-quarter battle for smart speaker market share gets all the attention, the longer-term struggle to change consumer behavior… Read More

Google reportedly developing speaker with screen to counter Amazon Echo Show

Google is aiming to challenge Amazon’s Echo Show by releasing its own smart speaker equipped with a screen in time… Read More

Samsung introduces Galaxy Home smart speaker powered by digital assistant Bixby

Samsung is making its entry into the competitive smart speaker market with the announcement of Galaxy Home, taking on fellow… Read More

Amazon’s impact on e-commerce, smart speakers and streaming quantified in Mary Meeker’s massive tech report

Amazon showed up all over tech expert Mary Meeker’s massive annual Internet Trends report this year, demonstrating how much the… Read More

Smart speaker startup Roxy, founded by ex-Amazon and Microsoft employees, aims to replace hotel phones

Roxy, a Seattle startup that offers a customizable voice assistant and touch screen smart speaker for the hotel industry, added a… Read More

Ex-Amazon and Microsoft employees raise $2.2M for hotel-focused smart speaker Roxy

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify the size of the funding round. Roxy, a Seattle startup that… Read More

An Echo on every counter and a Google Home on every nightstand? Study says 55% of U.S. will own a smart speaker by 2022

A new study sheds some light on why tech companies across the world are in the midst of a digital… Read More