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Tech Players Eye Alexa's Growing Market: AMZN, QCOM in Focus
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Amazon.com (AMZN - Free Report) and microchip giant Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM - Free Report) are joining to bring more Alexa-powered wireless headphones, the companies announced earlier this week.
Qualcomm will unravel the industry’s first Alexa-enabled bluetooth smart headset reference design that can be used by manufacturers to effectively embed Alexa in the device. When the wireless headset is paired with an Android phone, Alexa can be activated through the Alexa app.
Amazon’s initiative to broaden the reach of its voice assistant isn’t new in the industry. Apple’s (AAPL - Free Report) virtual assistant Siri can already be found assisting users through the company’s wireless earbuds AirPods.
The recent trend in the industry initiated by Apple brings a couple of related stocks in focus. These companies are hurrying to partner with headset makers to integrate their AI assistants for user convenience.
Need for Superior Audio Quality Driving Demand
The new Alexa-enabled wireless headset feature will enable users to avail Alexa on-the-go without needing to communicate with their phone. The feature is helpful for customers, who use voice-enabled services but seek better audio quality.
The requirement for enhanced sound quality coupled with demand for the availability of a virtual assistant on any device is pushing the industry to ensure the right smart products that come with an AI-enabled voice assistant. Headphones are at the center of this demand because these offer customers accessibility to their virtual assistant anywhere, anytime.
Amazon and Alphabet are already competing to conquer the smart home space with voice-enabled smart household products that could run the house with a single command. The implementation of better-quality, voice assistant-enabled wireless headphones will make managing the smart devices even smoother and more efficient.
Bose and Jabra headsets already feature built-in Alexa, while Sony’s headsets will accommodate the voice assistant following a software update, according to a Reuters report. But now other wireless headset manufacturers can use Qualcomm’s reference design to make room for Alexa.
The partnership with Amazon could be Qualcomm’s move to diversify its products away from modem chips and processors. As more customers hunt for enhanced audio-quality headsets, more headset manufacturers are bound to adopt AI-enabled assistants in smart devices.
How Robust Could the Wireless Headset Market Be?
According to a report by techsciresearch released in April, the global wireless headset market is set to witness strong growth — a compound annual growth rate of over 15% — in the next five years. The segment was valued at $7.65 billion in 2017 and the increasingly advanced technological features in the headsets are pushing the market to expand further.
Some of the key players in the wireless headsets markets include Motorola (MSI - Free Report) and Sony .
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With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
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Tech Players Eye Alexa's Growing Market: AMZN, QCOM in Focus
Amazon.com (AMZN - Free Report) and microchip giant Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM - Free Report) are joining to bring more Alexa-powered wireless headphones, the companies announced earlier this week.
Qualcomm will unravel the industry’s first Alexa-enabled bluetooth smart headset reference design that can be used by manufacturers to effectively embed Alexa in the device. When the wireless headset is paired with an Android phone, Alexa can be activated through the Alexa app.
Amazon’s initiative to broaden the reach of its voice assistant isn’t new in the industry. Apple’s (AAPL - Free Report) virtual assistant Siri can already be found assisting users through the company’s wireless earbuds AirPods.
The recent trend in the industry initiated by Apple brings a couple of related stocks in focus. These companies are hurrying to partner with headset makers to integrate their AI assistants for user convenience.
Need for Superior Audio Quality Driving Demand
The new Alexa-enabled wireless headset feature will enable users to avail Alexa on-the-go without needing to communicate with their phone. The feature is helpful for customers, who use voice-enabled services but seek better audio quality.
The requirement for enhanced sound quality coupled with demand for the availability of a virtual assistant on any device is pushing the industry to ensure the right smart products that come with an AI-enabled voice assistant. Headphones are at the center of this demand because these offer customers accessibility to their virtual assistant anywhere, anytime.
Amazon and Alphabet are already competing to conquer the smart home space with voice-enabled smart household products that could run the house with a single command. The implementation of better-quality, voice assistant-enabled wireless headphones will make managing the smart devices even smoother and more efficient.
Bose and Jabra headsets already feature built-in Alexa, while Sony’s headsets will accommodate the voice assistant following a software update, according to a Reuters report. But now other wireless headset manufacturers can use Qualcomm’s reference design to make room for Alexa.
The partnership with Amazon could be Qualcomm’s move to diversify its products away from modem chips and processors. As more customers hunt for enhanced audio-quality headsets, more headset manufacturers are bound to adopt AI-enabled assistants in smart devices.
How Robust Could the Wireless Headset Market Be?
According to a report by techsciresearch released in April, the global wireless headset market is set to witness strong growth — a compound annual growth rate of over 15% — in the next five years. The segment was valued at $7.65 billion in 2017 and the increasingly advanced technological features in the headsets are pushing the market to expand further.
Some of the key players in the wireless headsets markets include Motorola (MSI - Free Report) and Sony .
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?
Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.
With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
It's not the one you think.
See This Ticker Free >>