Native Voice, an on-demand voice assistant library that enables users to communicate directly by voice with their favorite brands, announced at Amazon’s Alexa Live 2022 today a partnership with Skullcandy that will allow their Push Active and Grind Series customers to have their devices upgraded to include multi-simultaneous wake word functionality.
Native Voice’s technology deployed on Skullcandy’s Push Active and Grind Series will provide hands-free access to multiple branded voice services, including Alexa. These are the first Skullcandy devices to feature both Alexa and the Skullcandy assistant simultaneously, in addition to other voice commands from other well-known brands.
During the launch of Skullcandy’s Skull-iQ technology in September last year, it was evident that increasing access to services via hands-free voice control was a strategic priority. With Skull-iQ technology, a variety of products will be launched, which will include Native Voice and, through it, direct access to Alexa, as well as branded voice assistants and experiences. The ability to access these voice services on the Push Active and Grind Series will be available to customers in a number of countries worldwide.
Skullcandy customers will be able to choose which voice services will be most suitable for their lifestyle and needs. Skullcandy provides easy control of various devices with play, pause, and answering or rejecting calls. Alexa offers a wide range of voice requests such as getting a recipe for your favorite dessert, checking the score for a sports game, providing a weather status update, and more.
The Native Voice updates for Push Active and Grind users are expected by the end of 2022.
Native Voice and iHeartMedia Announce Hands-Free Access to Expansive Audio Content
Posted in Commentary with tags Native Voice on December 20, 2022 by itnerdNative Voice, an on-demand voice assistant library that enables users to communicate directly by voice with their favorite brands, announced today a product collaboration with iHeartMedia to offer direct access to the nation’s largest library of live and on-demand music, radio and podcast content via voice. Early next year, anyone with a Skull-iQ enabled Skullcandy device (Grind, Grind Fuel, Push Active) can simply say “Hey iHeart” for immediate, hands-free access to iHeartRadio’s expansive world of content without having to download the iHeart app.
The service provides access to free artist-radio stations from iHeartRadio – users will simply say, “Hey iHeart, play Dua Lipa radio” to enjoy instant streaming of their favorite artist station. Or users might say, “Hey iHeart, play 102.7 KIIS FM” to stream local live radio and connect with their community. Over time, users will also be able to select music by mood or genre and play the podcasts they know and love.
This partnership is another example of Native Voice’s ongoing commitment to making life simpler by connecting users with brands’ voice assistants, and all the help they have to offer. And by doing so, improving the bond between consumers and the brands they love through voice. Simply put, Native Voice enables everyone to do more with direct and seamless access to the most responsive and valuable voice experiences. For companies that don’t have a voice assistant, Native Voice works with them to define a voice experience and distribution plan.
2022 has been a year of tremendous growth for Native Voice. Back in July, the company announced at Alexa Live that their technology will be deployed on Skullcandy devices for the first time, providing hands-free access to multiple branded voice assistants, including Alexa. As a result, Push Active and the Grind Series will become the first Skullcandy devices to feature both Alexa and the Skullcandy assistant simultaneously, and now, iHeartRadio.
The Native Voice/iHeartMedia integration on Skull-iQ enabled Skullcandy devices will be rolled out in early Q1 2023. Any existing user of Skullcandy earbuds that are Skull-iQ enabled will be able to add “Hey iHeart” to their earbuds for an instant update, at no cost.
Leave a comment »