Smart speaker stories
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2023/11/28/preview_boom.webp)
Hands-on review: JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi
Tue, 28th Nov 2023
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reviews
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digital entertainment
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wifi
The new JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi is no different – it's rugged, looks great, and, most importantly, performs excellently, offering rich sound with an envious amount of bass.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2021/06/10/preview_Apple_homepod-mini-kitchen_10132020a.webp)
Apple is finally bringing the HomePod mini to New Zealand
Thu, 10th Jun 2021
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digital entertainment
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personal computing devices
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homepod
Apple quietly announces the arrival of the HomePod mini in New Zealand, a compact smart speaker with 360-degree audio and Siri integration.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2021/05/07/preview_Beolab_28_0006__1__2_a.webp)
Bang & Olufsen's latest connected speaker screams 'premium' design
Fri, 7th May 2021
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digital entertainment
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speakers
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digital music
Danish audio brand Bang & Olufsen introduces its most advanced connected speaker to date, the Beolab 28, with a hefty price tag of AU$18,300.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2020/10/27/preview_GettyImages-1145631842__3_.webp)
Demand for stay-at-home entertainment sees smart speaker market soar
Tue, 27th Oct 2020
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digital entertainment
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personal computing devices
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amazon
Global smart speaker market set to reach 163 million units in 2021, with Mainland China leading the way, according to Canalys.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2020/06/23/preview_GettyImages-1134927077.webp)
Global shipments of smart audio devices reach 96.2 million - Canalys
Tue, 23rd Jun 2020
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digital entertainment
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canalys
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digital music
Global shipments of smart audio devices hit 96.2 million in Q1 2020. Canalys reports a 19.4% rise in smart personal audio, while smart speakers saw a 1.9% drop.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2020/03/24/preview_smart_speaker.webp)
Smart speaker market continues to grow - report
Tue, 24th Mar 2020
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digital entertainment
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alibaba
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amazon
Smart speakers have seen a 53% growth, but the impact of COVID-19 on the industry remains uncertain, according to Futuresource Consulting.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2020/03/05/preview_JBL_Link_Bar-16976_X4_RGB_904x560px.webp)
Hands-on review: JBL Link Bar, the three-in-one smart speaker
Thu, 5th Mar 2020
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gaming
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smartphones
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reviews
JBL's Link Bar merges a sound bar, Android TV, and Google Home into one sleek device offering high sound quality with smart home integration.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2020/02/28/preview_GettyImages-1143391541.webp)
Smart speaker vendors breaking records despite coronavirus disruption
Fri, 28th Feb 2020
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healthtech
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digital entertainment
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digital music
Despite COVID-19 fears, smart speaker shipments surged in Q4 2019. Amazon, Google, and Chinese vendors hit record highs, says Canalys.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2020/01/23/preview_GettyImages-1150199386.webp)
Canalys: Smart devices to reach three billion by 2023
Thu, 23rd Jan 2020
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smartphones
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digital entertainment
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digital music
Smart device shipments are set to reach three billion globally by 2023, with smartphone sales remaining dominant, says Canalys.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/11/14/preview_GettyImages-1056669568.webp)
Global smart speaker market experiences 45% growth
Thu, 14th Nov 2019
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digital entertainment
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canalys
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amazon
Amazon leads the global smart speaker market with 10.4 million units shipped in Q3 2019, according to Canalys. Google slips to fourth.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/11/01/preview_Asus2.webp)
Hands-on review: The ASUS Lyra Voice is a smart router with the power of invisibility
Fri, 1st Nov 2019
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gaming
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reviews
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digital entertainment
It looks no different from a set of standard Bluetooth speakers, and it easily blends itself into any corner of the house.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/09/05/preview_Portable_Home_Speaker_Black_2009_71.webp)
Bose's new smart speaker puts the bass back in the beat
Thu, 5th Sep 2019
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digital entertainment
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smart home
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digital music
Bose launches its latest smart speaker, the Portable Home Speaker, promising 360-degree sound and deep bass. Priced at NZD $579.95, it hits shelves Sept 26.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/09/03/preview_GettyImages-966919034.webp)
Are they listening? Kiwis wary of smart devices
Mon, 2nd Sep 2019
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uc
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martech
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digital entertainment
While talking aloud, a voice-activated, home-based smart speaker asked for more info - even though it was not turned it on.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/08/28/preview_GettyImages-638610308.webp)
Google slips further down the ranks in smart speaker market
Wed, 28th Aug 2019
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digital entertainment
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canalys
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amazon
Google has dropped to third place in the smart speaker market, with Baidu claiming second place behind Amazon, according to new data from Canalys.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/07/02/preview_HK_Allure-Portable_Balck_Lifestyle01.webp)
Hands-on review: The Harman Kardon Allure Portable Speaker
Tue, 2nd Jul 2019
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gaming
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reviews
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digital entertainment
Harman Kardon's Allure Portable marries quality sound with Amazon Alexa's voice control, offering both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/04/23/preview_GettyImages-1001580902.webp)
The world loves smart speakers - and China leads the way
Tue, 23rd Apr 2019
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digital entertainment
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smart home
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healthtech
People across the world love their smart speakers – and we have AI assistants like Amazon Alexa to thank for the revolution.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/04/02/preview_GettyImages-1135899956.webp)
IDC: Smart home market only getting stronger
Tue, 2nd Apr 2019
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smart home
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digital entertainment
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digital music
Smart speakers have moved into people’s homes and are ready to pay off as smart networks begin to spread throughout the household.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/03/09/preview_Screen_Shot_2019-03-08_at_11.webp)
Amazon, Google, and Alibaba fuel booming smart speaker market
Sat, 9th Mar 2019
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digital entertainment
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alibaba
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amazon
While these vendors have had great success in the market, other vendors like Samsung, Huawei, and Apple have failed to capitalise.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/02/07/preview_ThinkstockPhotos-874409498.webp)
Are we security-ready for Alexa in the office?
Fri, 8th Feb 2019
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iot security
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iot
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digital entertainment
As home-IoT devices such as smart assistants head into the office, there will be a raft of new security challenges that will need to be addressed.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2019/01/15/preview_ThinkstockPhotos-983411308__1_.webp)
Over 100 million smart home devices shipped in 2018
Tue, 15th Jan 2019
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smart home
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digital entertainment
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digital music
Smart home device shipments reached 110 million units in 2018, with a retail value of nearly $17bn, according to a report by Futuresource Consulting.