Qualcomm has big plans for the technological world moving forward, having announced today at CES 2016 a new reference platform for the smart home and the Internet of Things. To help launch themselves and their customers into the future of a more seamlessly connected world, Qualcomm has also introduced a new Bluetooth smart System on Chip range which they envision powering everything from smartwatches to remotes to automated home products like appliances and more. Utilizing both this new family of chips and the reference platform which Qualcomm states is based on the Snapdragon 212 processor, Qualcomm is making attempts to solidify themselves in this still new technological area of the market.
Qualcomm’s reference platform is meant to power control hubs and smart speakers for the smart, connected home, using the power of the Snapdragon 212 to bring in a multitude of different capabilities including voice recognition, camera, computing, audio, display and more. Manufacturers are now able to get their hands on the reference platform which supports Hi-Fi smart audio for streaming music up to 24 bit, keyword voice wakeup, two-way VoIP calling and a range of voice-powered commands. All voice recognition functions are powered by Fluence pro voice input technology which includes sound focus to assist in capturing voice from targeted locations, position tracking, and sound position tracking. The reference platform also support high-level operating systems so it can be tailored to the specifications of the OEM to meet their needs.
Qualcomm’s other endeavors into the Internet of Things revolve around a wide array of connected products that can be powered by their brand new smart Bluetooth System on Chips as part of the CRS102x range, which Qualcomm states is designed to “help engineers meet the needs of today’s always-on world.” This new family of chips will help to bring in a more balanced end product for consumers so they don’t have to compromise on any important key factors like battery life, cost of the product, or performance, because OEM’s themselves will not have to be compromising in these areas. Qualcomm plans to have development kits ready for high-volume consumers in the second quarter of 2016, and they will be offering the full development kit at a price of $99 as well as extra extension kits for $49.
