European Custom Installer

Fyne Audio makes an entry into the residential installation loudspeaker market with the launch of five in-ceiling/in-wall models based on the budget and mid-level traditional speakers from the company.

The entry-level FA300iC and premium FA500iC home install ranges take inspiration from the technology and acoustic tuning inside the Fyre F300 and F500 series cabinet speakers respectively. Models in the FA300iC range use the same multi-fibre bass/midrange cone and 25mm polyester dome tweeter as the regular F300 cabinet loudspeakers, arranged coaxially for a compact installation footprint.

Philips announces a small smart TV designed for use in the kitchen-- the 24-inch Android TV featuring Google Assistant (aka the 6000 series) allowing for hands-free control while viewing recipes, playing music or watching content.

The TV features the Android TV platform and integrated dual far-field echo-canceling microphones, providing voice control via Google Assistant. As such, it should be ideal for customers wanting to follow cooking videos step-by-step and control the viewing experience by voice, including volume, pause/play and rewind/fast-forward. In addition, they can control compatible smart home devices or check on the weather and traffic, all with the power of their voice.

According to Canalys, global smart speaker shipments total 28.6 million units in Q3 2019-- a 44.9% Y-o-Y increase with Amazon in the lead, followed by online retail giant Alibaba reigning supreme in China.

The open retail channel makes it increasingly challenging for smart speaker vendors to stimulate sales, even as it regularly offers promotions and discounts. The Amazon "Echo Upgrade Program" helps entice users to trade-in old Echo or non-Echo Bluetooth speakers to further increase Echo device penetration, while Google is looking into partnerships with the likes of Spotify to drive sales through different channels. Alibaba is also running collaborations with local and international companies in order to boost the consumer appeal of Tmall Genie devices.

TwelveSouth announces a Pro version of the AirFly wireless headphone adapter-- a means customers to use wireless headphones or earbuds in places with only a headphone jack featuring audio in capability as well as out.

Audio in functionality allows users to connect a wireless device with an audio system featuring auxiliary audio in, such as a car stereo or legacy hifi equipment, but no Bluetooth streaming connection. Audio out capability remains as standard, of course, allowing one to pair wireless headphones or earbuds with gym treadmills, in-flight entertainment systems and the like.

Sony adds more capabilities to the 6th generation Aibo with the announcement of a web-based API allowing users to program new tricks into the lovable robot puppy, including the ability to control connected devices.

The "Aibo Developer Program" is designed for developers wanting to make "services and applications" working with the robot dog. A concept video demonstrates the concept well enough. It has the pup monitor a microwave, turn on a robot vacuum, let one know when the laundry is done and even act as a surveillance camera, all with the help of simple voice controls.