Microsoft is planning to enter the smart earbud market this year — here's why it will be an uphill battle:
for the voice assistant to capitalize on high use in that segment. That could point to a similar focus for its earbuds, but it seems unlikely given the positioning of the device within the Surface family.
Surface earbuds could offer a range of features to entice users, but Microsoft lacks a mobile ecosystem to bring them into. Based on what's already included in the company's Surface headphones, it appears likely that its earbuds could feature some degree of noise cancellation, one-touch or no-touch Cortana integration, and a feature to make reading and consuming content on mobile devices easier.
But Apple's Siri was the most preferred option among the leading mobile voice assistants, trailed by Alexa and then Google Assistant, with others — including Cortana and Samsung's Bixby — far behind. Even if there is appetite for these sorts of devices as consumer accessories, all of the caveats and limitations that apply to Amazon and its lack of mobile presence also apply to Microsoft, and the latter also lacks the smart home ecosystem that Amazon has developed.
Our exclusive data indicates that the AI-powered earbud market is oriented around mobile or home ecosystem builders, and Microsoft doesn't fit that bill.1. Sign up for the IoT Briefing to get it delivered to your inbox 3x a week. >>pass to Business Insider Intelligence and gain immediate access to the IoT Briefing, plus more than 250 other expertly researched reports.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why eating pig's feet and cow's stomach can help save the planetNew study says meat-lovers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting nose to tail diet and swapping steak for animal organs.
Read more »
Baseball Team Values 2019: Yankees Lead League At $4.6 BillionWhy baseball is enjoying record team values and profitability.
Read more »
Baseball Team Values 2019: Yankees Lead League At $4.6 BillionBaseball team values 2019: Yankees lead the league at $4.6 billion
Read more »
Trump wondered why Mount Vernon isn’t named after George Washington. Here’s why.Who was “Vernon,” anyway?
Read more »
Why Can't Amazon Convert Prime Shoppers Into Whole Foods Shoppers?Most of Whole Foods shoppers are likely to be Amazon shoppers and even Prime Members, but how many of Amazon’s 100 million U.S. members regularly shop at Whole Foods? Fewer than 20%, despite Amazon’s ongoing efforts. Here’s why.
Read more »
Kris Jenner And The Cultural History Of The 'Momager'The Kardashians have rebranded the meddling “stage mom” — but a new word can’t erase the very real conflicts of interest when managing your child’s career.
Read more »
Analysis | Why some world leaders keep getting reelected and others fail almost immediatelyAnalysis: Why some world leaders keep getting reelected and others fail almost immediately
Read more »
Perspective | Hockey’s forgotten first analytics revolution — and what it tells us about the game’s futurePerspective: Hockey’s forgotten first analytics revolution — and what it tells us about the game’s future
Read more »