Posted Wed Sep 28, 2016 at 12:30 PM PDT by Steven Cohen
Alexa support is coming to the DTS Play-Fi ecosystem.
DTS and Amazon have announced plans to add Alexa Voice Service capabilities to the Play-Fi whole-home wireless ecosystem. Play-Fi is an advanced cross-platform wireless audio technology that lets users stream and enjoy music through their Wi-Fi connections.
"Alexa has delighted customers with its ease-of-use, depth of skills, and broad support of connected consumer devices," said Dannie Lau, Play-Fi division general manager, DTS, Inc. "Adding the Alexa service to the Play-Fi ecosystem delivers a new level of functionality and convenience for DTS Play-Fi users. This collaboration further demonstrates our continual commitment to delivering next-level entertainment experiences with DTS Play-Fi technology."
Once support launches in early 2017, Play-Fi customers will be able to use an Alexa-enabled device -- including the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap and Amazon Fire TV -- to play and control music on one or more DTS Play-Fi-enabled speakers in the home from any brand. In addition, DTS is also working with Play-Fi partners to integrate far-field Alexa capabilities into upcoming DTS Play-Fi speakers. These new devices will feature a set of built-in far-field microphones, allowing customers to control their products through voice commands with the Alexa service.
"We're excited to bring Alexa to DTS Play-Fi customers next year," said Steve Rabuchin, vice president, Amazon Alexa. "Music is one of the most popular features on Alexa-enabled devices, so it's very important that we're able to offer multiple high-quality home audio choices for our Alexa customers. Working with DTS Play-Fi technology to expand Alexa-enabled home audio is doing just that—plus it's being done in a unique, delightful way through a combination of far-field hardware and Alexa software. We're thrilled to work with DTS Play-Fi technology to bring these products to customers in 2017."
The Play-Fi whole-home wireless music ecosystem gives both customers and manufacturers a great level of freedom when it comes to integrating and using Wi-Fi streaming for music. With Play-Fi audio products, users can wirelessly play high quality lossless music from smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop PCs over an existing home Wi-Fi network to multiple Play-Fi speakers throughout the home. Likewise, Play-Fi is not brand exclusive. This means that Play-Fi audio products from different manufacturers can actually work together seamlessly.
Firmware updates for the Alexa service and new Play-Fi products with integrated Alexa support will arrive in Q1 2017.
Source: DTS
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