Amazon’s Alexa-powered devices have become a popular option in the smart home world for their vast library of functions and the numerous list of devices that they support. Early next year, Alexa-enabled devices are getting even more devices to their list of product compatibility as DTS has just announced a partnership that will allow Amazon’s devices with integrated Alexa software to power DTS Play-Fi speakers. While Alexa-enabled devices already support a number of different products, adding more devices to that list will allow more consumers to partake in the benefits that compatibility between the DTS Play-Fi and Alexa technologies offers.
Consumers will be able to control DTS Play-Fi speakers with nothing but their voice and a handful of different commands through the use of Alexa-enabled devices such as the Echo, Echo Dot, Tap, and Fire TV, and the new support will allow the voice-activated controls to work for a single DTS Play-Fi speaker, or multiple speakers. No new equipment will be needed for those that already have a device with Alexa software as well as DTS Play-Fi speakers, as everything will come through a firmware update sent to the products over-the-air, however, it is worth noting that the firmware update which adds this support won’t be sent out to customers until 2017. Unfortunately there was no exact time frame listed just that the firmware update would be pushed to customers early next year.
Alongside the firmware updates, DTS has announced that they’re also working with other partners to manufacture and launch a series of DTS Play-Fi home audio products that will have the Alexa Voice Service integrated into them which will bring the far-field Alexa functionality. For those that they may not have an Echo or Echo dot, these new DTS Play-Fi products with the Alexa Voice Service built-in will allow for voice-controlled management of various smart home products. DTS states that these new products, which are to launch from a variety of their partners including Klipsch, Onkyo, Pioneer, Polk, Aerix and more, will launch in 2017 as well although again, they do not mention an exact time frame. There is also no detail at this time on what any new products to launch next year will cost, or where the products will be available.