Libre Wireless Technologies Introduces New Universal Wireless Audio Streaming and Multiroom Audio End Point

During CES 2020, Libre Wireless Technologies announced a unique new industry-leading consumer wireless audio streaming solution characterized as the “Universal Audio Streaming Endpoint.” The new embedded solution, based on Libre’s latest LS9X mainstream WiFi media module, enables new audio product developments that seamlessly and concurrently support all major streaming ecosystems, directly in single-end and multiroom configurations.

The story was already confirmed for some time, but Sonos and IKEA have finally revealed the results of its joint project, designed to reimagine the smart home, Scandinavian style. As Sonos describes it, "Sound is a powerful mood booster, as important to the atmosphere at home as any rug, or art piece, or sofa. Setting out to make great sound available for everyone, IKEA and Sonos now present the first products in the SYMFONISK range – one being our loudest table lamp ever."

Yamaha introduced three new 4K AV receivers — the 5.1-channel RX-V485 and 7.2-channel RX-V585 and RX-V685 — two new speakers, the MusicCast 20 and MusicCast 50, and the new MusicCast SUB 100 subwoofer, all featuring a new wireless technology called MusicCast Surround. An enhancement of the company's MusicCast wireless multi-room audio system, MusicCast Surround allows a user to build an AV receiver-based 5.1-channel surround sound system with wired speakers for the front channels, wireless speakers for the surrounds, and the option of using a wireless subwoofer.

Cypress Semiconductor announced two new wireless solutions that deliver advanced coexistence and robust connectivity combining 802.11ac high-performance Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The 802.11ac solutions use high-speed transmissions to enable devices with faster downloads and better range, as well as lower power consumption by quickly exploiting deep sleep modes. The solutions are supported in Cypress' popular WICED Studio development platform.

As part of its ongoing commitment to inclusion, Sennheiser is advancing the availability of assisted listening solutions for universities, with its innovative MobileConnect solution. By offering the ability to live stream audio via WiFi to a user’s own device, the system is ideally suited to academic institutions wishing to quickly and cost effectively enable access to education to hearing impaired students.

Linkplay Technology, a WiFi audio solution provider, and one of the first audio platforms approved for integration with Alexa Voice Service (AVS), hosted 300 attendees from global speaker brands, OEMs and ODMs for an Amazon Alexa technology summit. The one day conference held in Shenzhen, China provided an opportunity to educate customers interested in designing and building Powered by Linkplay products with AVS.