Alexa news stories

Apple
Sony announces new Bravia range with cutting-edge processor
Powered by the Cognitive Processor XR, the BRAVIA TV’s use a new processing method designed to replicate the ways humans see and hear.

Tablets & laptops
Lenovo unveils new laptops, tablets and Amazon Alexa Show Mode
Lenovo has unveiled a suite of new NEC consumer products coming to market, as part of its CES 2021 news.

Cybersecurity
Are they spying? Young people wary of virtual assistants
Privacy and security fears put young people off using virtual assistants for customer services

Fitbit
Fitbit launches Versa 2 with Amazon Alexa, announces new subscription service
Versa 2 delivers a new swimproof design, includes sleep features like Sleep Score and smart wake, and is packed with more advanced health, fitness and smart features.

Headphones
Jabra’s environment-aware headphones hit Aotearoa
The headphones include SmartSound that automatically adjusts the sound and noise cancelling based on the user’s environment.

Smart TV
Alexa to join the living room through LG TVs
The update will be implemented through the Alexa app on 2019 TVs featuring ThinQ AI.

Internet of Things
Are we security-ready for Alexa in the office?
As home-IoT devices such as smart assistants head into the office, there will be a raft of new security challenges that will need to be addressed.

Smart TV
LG makes TVs smarter with new AI processors
Latest TVs from LG use deep learning to enhance the video and audio output and introduces integration with Alexa.

Alexa
Review: The Sonos Beam - more than a soundbar
Sonos’ is one of the serious contenders in the smart speaker market. Is the Beam soundbar worth taking seriously? I think it actually might be.

Siri
Search to purchase will cause voice AI tech to bloom
This year it is estimated that over 100 million smart speakers will be installed - but it isn’t going to stop there.

Amazon Web Services / AWS
AWS adds new smart scheduling functionality to Alexa
The ‘Alexa Smart Scheduling Assistant’ is designed to help users schedule 1:1 meetings with multiple participants.

Google
Google beats Amazon to first place in smart speaker war
Smart speakers continue to be the world’s fastest-growing consumer technology segment.

Machine Learning
Air New Zealand launching as a skill on Amazon Alexa
The device hits stores in New Zealand and Australia in early February.

Seek
Ask SEEK to find you a job with Alexa
SEEK named the first employment marketplace to embrace voice activated job search.

Artificial Intelligence
The AI smoke detector you never knew you needed
The device features technology which alerts users to the type of danger and its location...

Music
Amazon Music Unlimited arrives in 28 countries
“Music is such an incredible global connector, and with Amazon Music Unlimited we’ve been able to give listeners access to an extensive catalogue..."

Music
Three epic speakers we want for summer adventures
Summer wouldn’t be complete without a good soundtrack and a solid speaker to play it on...

Displays
AWS brings Alexa to the enterprise with Alexa for Business
The new AWS service makes it easy for companies to voice-enable their offices with Alexa, giving workers an intelligent assistant.

Artificial Intelligence
No thanks Alexa: Aussies reluctant to embrace AI home assistants
Less than 5% of Aussies surveyed have used one, and only 18% believe that home assistants are the future...

Apple
Alexa, how much are you worth? $6 billion apparently
“With high profile brands like Samsung, Apple and Philips getting in on the action, consumers are becoming attuned to the benefits..."

Smart Home
Amazon introduces the new and improved Echo Plus
“Today, Alexa can make calls, play music in every room, turn on your lights, and even order you a pizza, but it’s still day one, and today we’re making Echo and Alexa even better.”

Smart Home
Alexa, say my name: Turns out people love talking to their speakers
According to Futuresource smart speakers are driving global home audio sales upwards...

Smart Home
Alexa has a new robotic body thanks to Qihan Technology Company
“Sanbot Nano’s customized capabilities will make every family feel like they have a personal assistant.”

Microsoft
Alexa, meet Cortana: The AI superteam coming to your Windows PC
“Their strengths will complement each other and provide customers with a richer experience..."