Qualcomm Launches AI-Enabled Highly Integrated SoCs and Dedicated Smart Speaker Platform

Qualcomm made two important announcements for audio developers, both bound to significantly impact the fast-growing market of smart speakers and new generation whole-home audio systems. The San Diego company announced the new QCS400 family of audio SoCs and the Smart Audio Platform 400 development kit, bringing smart speakers high-performance processing, Qualcomm AI Engine, superior connectivity, and multiple advanced audio and visual display capabilities in a single, power-optimized chip architecture.

Following a showcase at CES 2019, NXP Semiconductors announced its Immersiv3D audio solution, combining NXP software on its i.MX 8M Mini applications processor with support both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio technologies. The i.MX 8M Mini SoC also brings smart capabilities like voice control to a broader range of consumer devices including soundbars, smart speakers, and AV receivers with the option for adding additional speakers to distribute smart voice control and immersive audio throughout the home.

LG Electronics (LG) and Meridian Audio have announced a partnership on the development of new consumer audio products. The first results of the partnership will be presented at CES 2018, and include a Dolby Atmos soundbar, portable speakers, and the LG ThinQ smart speaker, featuring Google Assistant voice recognition. LG wants to combine its consumer electronics expertise with Meridian’s audio technologies to deliver "high-performance audio to more people across the world."