Image used with permission by copyright holderIt already seems as though Amazon and its handy little virtual assistant have infiltrated nearly every aspect of our lives. From a singing bass to a senior care system, just about everyone is looking to jump on the Alexa bandwagon, and for good reason.
Interest in these virtual assistants is rising, and while Siri remains the most widely used of these helpers, Alexa is quickly catching up. A burgeoning number of companies are are making Alexa announcements at this year’s IFA trade show in Berlin. Here are some of the big names going all out for Alexa.
Yamaha MusicCast multiroom
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Yamaha plans on enhancing its entire streaming system with Alexa functionality this October by way of a firmware update, whereupon customers will be able to control more than 40 of Yamaha’s MusicCast wireless multiroom products, which include everything from speakers to A/V receivers, by way of their voice. Thanks to an upcoming Alexa skill, listeners will be able to easily control sound throughout their entire home, including the ability to power MusicCast products on (and off), control playback functions, select tracks from playlists, and more.
The firmware update will also allow you to control your Yamaha Disklavier Enspire, which means that you can hear the sweet sounds of a piano (or an electric imitation of one) just about anywhere. Just tell Alexa what you want to hear and where, and you’ll be able to indulge in the Disklavier’s tunes.
“Playing music throughout the home simply by speaking a few words is truly remarkable,” said Robert Goedken, general manager of the AV division for the Yamaha Corporation of America. “And when the source of that music comes from a real piano, it’s like magic. We’re excited that our customers will be able to experience this in their homes next month. In the coming months, we’ll be taking Alexa integration even further, to provide a deeper, more seamless experience. We’re just getting started.”
Bragi Dash and Dash Pro true wireless earbuds
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
It’s not just larger components taking advantage of Alexa — it’s smaller electronic devices, too. Both the Bragi Dash and the Bragi Dash Pro totally wireless headphones are now getting some help courtesy of Alexa. Beginning in October, you’ll be able to talk to Alexa through the Dash earbuds by downloading Bragi OS (BOS) 3.1.
While Bragi’s headphones are currently compatible with Siri and Google Assistant, users will soon be able to control much more thanks to the Alexa integration. You’ll be able to tell Alexa to tune in to a number of streaming options by way of Alexa, including the Amazon Music Library, Amazon Prime Music, Audible, and TuneIn Radio.
“We have always seen The Dash as an interactive device that improves one’s quality of life. Through Alexa, we are able to take this one step further, bringing smart home, ecommerce, and home entertainment examples of how The Dash can be useful,” said Bragi founder Nikolaj Hviid.
Going much further than just music, Dash owners will also be able to ask their earbuds to hail an Uber or a Lyft, to check airport security lines, to add an event to their calendars, and much more, all via the new virtual assistant integration.
Cortana
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Even other virtual assistants are starting to talk to Alexa. Amazon, and Microsoft just announced that their respective assistants, Alexa and Cortana, will be able to chat with one another. You’ll soon be able to say, “Alexa, open Cortana,” on an Echo device, or turn to your Windows 10 device and say, “Cortana, open Alexa.”
It’s unclear as of yet exactly when this will happen, but the two companies note that Alexa and Cortana will begin talking to each other later this year.
DTS Play-Fi Speakers
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DTS has announced that multiple Alexa-enabled speakers from big-name manufacturers will soon join its popular multiroom audio ecosystem, including options from Onkyo, Phorus, and Pioneer.
The Phorus PS10 wireless speaker will be the first Play-Fi enabled speaker to hit the market, shipping in late September, followed by the Onkyo Smart Speaker P3 and Pioneer Elite Smart Speaker F4.
“Amazon Alexa is the most widely recognized and adopted voice service on the market and we are very excited to announce the first of many products with built-in, far-field Alexa capability,” said DTS Play-Fi’s general manager Dannie Lau in a press released about the new speakers. “By combining DTS Play-Fi with the Alexa Voice Service, these speakers extend Alexa’s capabilities to more than 200 products from 23 different manufacturers, while providing compatibility with the same Alexa skills customers have grown to love.”
Each of the new devices will use built-in far-field microphones to detect users’ voice commands, allowing Alexa to control playback and even select home automation devices.
Harman
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Harman has debuted its new Harman Kardon Allure, an Alexa-powered speaker that is not one of the Echo devices. Promising 360-degree sound and a simple, sleek design, the Allure combines Harman Kardon’s notable audio performance with Alexa’s smarts. If you’re not into the Echo aesthetic, you may prefer this option, which allows you to ask Alexa questions, have her play music, read the news, or even make purchases through Amazon Prime, all with naught more than your voice.
“We’re excited, to integrate with Amazon Alexa to deliver a beautiful speaker with astounding audio coupled with all the intelligent features of Alexa,” said Michael Mauser, President, Lifestyle Audio Division at HARMAN. “Research shows the number one use of digital voice services is music streaming and Allure with its premium sound quality, iconic design, and exceptional voice-enabled technology, will produce a spectacular sound experience while delivering on our promise of elevating a connected life through smart technology.”
The Allure will be made available this winter for $250.
We’ll be updating this post periodically as more products are added so stay tuned.
Best Buy Prime Big Deal Days 2024: Save 30% on laptops, TVs, phones
Update 09/27/24: This marks the beginning of our coverage of this Prime Day event with Best Buy. Best Buy is currently doing a "Member Deal Days" sale through Sunday, to grab some attention *before* Amazon's event begins. Many of the deals in this update, as a result, may be gone before the next update of the article.
With Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event starting officially on October 8 and 9, Best Buy has a chance to head up the sales and get attention. The game is on, so to speak. If you're here early enough (before Sunday September 29), you can take advantage of Best Buy's if you're a Best Buy Plus or Total member. Those same members have a chance to get a $50 bonus reward whenever they spend $500 or more between now and October 20. So no matter what you want, including stuff like Dell Prime Big Deal Day deals, you might very well be best to check out Best Buy's sale if you're a member there. Here, we're finding the best deals in the categories that matter the most to you, to keep your comparison shopping at a minimum. As you look, however, remember that many of the deals will end Sunday, so don't hesitate too long before you snap up a deal you want.
Best Buy's Big Deal Days TV deals
We're going to do a longer listing of more and more elsewhere (our dedicated Best Buy Big Deal Days TV deals article), where we'll cover a wider selection. But there's no reason to not start checking out a few of the best deals here, too.
Insignia 50-inch Class F30 Series 4K — $220 $300 27% off
The next Apple HomeKit device could blend HomePod, iPad, and AI
Apple HomeKit has always lagged behind Alexa and Google Assistant, notably lacking a smart display similar to that of the Echo Show 15 or the Nest Hub. Rumors suggest that the company's next gadget might rectify that. MacRumors reported code found in Apple's backend that referenced something called HomeAccessory17,1. That might not seem like much to go on until you realize that HomePod is similarly named AudioAccessory.
There are still too few details to make any definitive conclusions, but we can venture an educated guess that the upcoming device might be powered by the A18 chip and feature AI-focused features. Apple already has plans to integrate OpenAI and Siri. Adding AI-powered intelligence into a smart home system would potentially give it never-before-seen functionality — perhaps even more than what Alexa can currently offer, although Google Assistant's use of Gemini could level the playing field.
In the spirit of pushing boundaries, Roborock has perhaps pushed the envelope further than ever before. How? Well, it's certainly not just by introducing the Roborock S8 Max Series smart vacuums, consisting of two models: S8 MaxV Ultra and S8 Max Ultra. There's more to it.
Although these two powerful and intelligent smart vacuums include a host of new innovative features, there's something else that's bigger and more awe-inspiring. Keeping up with that idea of "cleaning beyond limits," the S8 series has also achieved something spectacular related to space. Yes, outer space. In August 2024, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra was launched into the upper stratosphere, becoming the first-ever smart vacuum in outer space. Just imagine it floating, weightlessly, high above the planet, maybe even cleaning some debris as it goes.
Yamaha plans on enhancing its entire streaming system with 
