Sonos Announces All-New, Twice as Powerful Sonos Amp with AirPlay 2
Sonos announced the all-new Sonos Amp, a powerful and versatile home audio hub that powers traditional wired speakers with sound from nearly any source, and fully integrates these speakers into Sonos’ easy to use wireless home sound system and any wireless audio source. With the new Amp, Sonos also announced a new partnership with Sonance architectural speakers to connect with the new Sonos Amp and confirmed it will open its developer platform to potential partners for control and integration of Sonos solutions.
Frontier Collaborates with NXP on new Smart IoT Software Licensing Business
Frontier Smart Technologies, the digital audio solutions development company, announced the launch of a new Smart IoT software licensing and services business line. The first collaborator in this venture is leading silicon manufacturer, NXP Semiconductors. Frontier’s SmartSDK is a mature starting point for the development of reliable and sophisticated networked devices and can be deployed in a range of IoT systems including smart audio, home automation, smart appliances and security.
Infineon's Digital MEMS Technology Enables Zylia ZM-1 Microphone Array
Marketed as the world's first portable recording studio able to capture a live performance directly into multiple separate tracks, the Zylia ZM-1 Microphone Array is actually found multiple possible applications including for spatial recording in virtual and augmented reality productions, showing great potential for R&D activities also in noise measurement and even voice capture in meeting rooms. Now the Poland-based developer revealed that its powerful microphone array is powered by MEMS technology from Infineon Technologies.
Lessons Learned: Bose Introduces New Smart Speaker and Soundbars
Bose announced what it claims to be "the next chapter" in the company's "legendary home audio history" with the introduction of a new wireless smart speaker and two new smart soundbars — the Bose Home Speaker 500 for music, and the Bose Soundbar 700 and Soundbar 500 for music and home theater. Each model combines size-defying performance with superior voice pickup and the power of Amazon Alexa now, other voice assistants to follow, and AirPlay 2 for simple streaming from Apple devices added in early 2019.
Want to Hear That Smart Speakers Are Not A Big Deal? Head to CEDIA Expo
International research firm Parks Associates announced that Research Analyst Dina Abdelrazik will speak at CEDIA Expo, September 6 and 7 in San Diego, CA. Abdelrazik will address the impact that voice will have on user interfaces and specifically new partnerships within the smart home and will detail Parks Associates latest research indicating that Smart Speakers rate poor against Smart Home Devices measured in terms of Net Promoter Score, a metric of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Sennheiser Showcases New IE 40 PRO In-Ear Monitors and Latest Audio Tools at IBC 2018
At IBC 2018, Amsterdam 14-18, Sennheiser and Neumann will showcase their full range of media production tools. Among the highlights is the introduction of the new Memory Mic, a wireless microphone for smartphones, and the accompanying video app. Sennheiser will also premiere the new IE 40 PRO in-ear monitors, the company’s entry model in a series of brand-new professional in-ears.
Audinate Strengthens Dante Domain Manager Software with New Release
Demonstrating its commitment to providing systems integrators and end-users with the strongest network technologies, Audinate introduced an update to its Dante Domain Manager software. The new version provides advances in diagnostics and usability, extended auto discovery for legacy devices and increased support for larger networks, with more devices supported - over 1,000 audio networking devices.
Pascal Unveils Redesigned and Repurposed Website with Improved Design Resources
Pascal has unveiled a newly redesigned website that represents a major upgrade of the look, functionality and content of its online presence. The Copenhagen, Denmark, pro audio amplifier specialists developed a new website with better guidance to match projects for self powered speakers and power amplifiers with the company's expanded range of amplifier modules. The new website also provides better insight on Pascal's expanding activities.
Past, Present and Future: Tascam Unveils Model 24 Digital Multitrack Recorder
Tascam will probably cause a big smile in the face of every musician, producer and audio engineer with this announcement. Recovering one of its glories of the past and the predecessor of every multitrack home- and project-studio system since the eighties, the new Model 24 Digital Multitrack Recorder is certainly a time travel experience for everyone, combining a good-looking compact mixing solution with a built-in 24 track digital recording system with specifications that are "good enough" to today's market.
IFA 2018: Larger, Trendier and Smarter in Every Respect
This year’s IFA is booked up and boasts two fully occupied exhibition areas: the entire Berlin Exhibition Grounds as well as IFA Global Markets (for trade visitors only) at Station Berlin on Gleisdreieck are already full for 2018. Europe's giant trade show for Consumer and Home Electronics IFA 2018 again underlines the event’s unique global standing as a driving force for growth and innovation. This year's Home Appliances@IFA celebrates its tenth anniversary, IFA NEXT grows with even more innovations, and there's plenty of new exhibits and events.