TL;DR:
- Harman introduces JBL Authentics speakers with integrated Google Assistant and Alexa.
- These speakers offer automatic self-tuning, Bluetooth, and multiroom playback.
- Amazon’s Voice Interoperability Initiative drives collaboration between voice assistants.
- Universal Device Commands (UDC) allow seamless switching between Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Dual assistants enhance user experience without competing.
- Declining smart speaker sales and changing priorities reshape the AI landscape.
Main AI News:
In a realm long dominated by intense competition, a harmonious accord is finally emerging between the tech giants, Google Assistant and Alexa. A remarkable step forward has been taken by Harman, the audio tech pioneer, as it unveils the latest additions to its celebrated JBL Authentics speaker lineup. What sets these offerings apart is their pioneering integration of both Google Assistant and Alexa – a move that reshapes the market landscape. The Authentics 200, Authentics 300, and Authentics 500, equipped with automatic self-tuning, Bluetooth capabilities, and multiroom playback, are set to debut on September 17.
For years, the arena has witnessed Google’s reluctance to allow manufacturers, excluding Sonos, to embed smart devices with both Google Assistant and Alexa functionalities. However, this dynamic has been altering. Amazon, driven not merely by altruism but by a desire for a level playing field, has pressed on to change the status quo. While Alexa boasts an impressive base of about 500 million devices, Google’s advantage lies in its default inclusion of Google Assistant in Android smartphones. This edge was even scrutinized in a past EU antitrust investigation. As of 2019, Google proudly declared that Google Assistant was accessible across over 1 billion devices.
In 2019, Amazon pioneered the Voice Interoperability Initiative. This visionary program aimed to ensure that voice-enabled products such as smart speakers, smartphones, and smart displays could seamlessly switch between multiple voice assistants. Google, Samsung, and Apple opted out at the time. However, the tides have shifted as the search giant now embraces a new melody.
So, why the change? Marissa Chacko, Director of Product Management for Google Assistant, emphasized that voice assistants have metamorphosed into integral facets of our daily lives. She expressed that both Google and Amazon have endeavored to facilitate users’ access to either voice service. This movement, she clarified, wasn’t about compensating for inadequacies but about offering users authentic choice.
Enter the JBL Authentics speakers, where Google Assistant and Alexa stand in harmony, ready to cater to user needs interchangeably. One can summon Alexa to set a timer, then beckon Google Assistant to halt it upon ringing (and vice versa). Amazon’s Universal Device Commands (UDC) concept, fueled by the Multi-Agent Experience Toolkit, born from the Voice Interoperability Initiative, makes this seamless synergy possible. With UDC, tasks like music playback, timers, reminders, and alarms can be paused by either Alexa or Google Assistant, without any confusion about which assistant initiated the task.
Moreover, the beauty lies in the fact that the assistants won’t inadvertently talk over each other. The Authentics speakers orchestrate the “audio focus,” ensuring that, for instance, Alexa doesn’t interrupt a Google Assistant timer. UDC’s beta trials, conducted by Amazon and Google, have paved the way for this fluid interaction.
Customers are envisioned to enjoy a dual experience, utilizing Alexa or Google Assistant according to their preference. Aaron Rubenson, VP of Alexa, envisions scenarios where one might consult Google Assistant for a milk substitute and then ask Alexa to procure it from Amazon.com. This collaboration heralds a new era of assistance, beyond competition.
Interestingly, the concern that dual assistants might dilute engagement has been addressed by Rubenson and Chacko. They stress that the assistants are not rivals but allies, designed to enhance customer experiences. As smart speaker sales experience a decline and voice search adoption varies, the focus has shifted. Both Amazon and Google acknowledge the shift in priorities by scaling back their voice assistant investments.
The Harman and Amazon venture could be a defining moment, marking the beginning of a new era or perhaps remaining an exceptional instance. Chacko’s words echo a cautious optimism about the future impact: “It’s early to determine this integration’s impact. While we don’t have any plans to share about future integrations, we’re excited to see how users utilize having simultaneous access to both Google Assistant and Alexa at home.“
Conclusion:
The integration of Google Assistant and Alexa within Harman’s JBL Authentics speaker lineup marks a significant shift in the AI market. This collaboration, facilitated by the Voice Interoperability Initiative, not only offers users a harmonious experience but also reflects a broader transformation in the strategies of tech giants. The focus on seamless coexistence rather than fierce competition indicates an industry adapting to changing market dynamics and user preferences. This integration could potentially influence the future direction of AI technology, fostering more cooperative ventures and user-centric solutions.
