Amazon is teaming up with Intel for a smart speaker reference design with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. The speaker will be based on what Intel calls Form Factor Reference Designs (FFRD). Essentially, FFRD is a ready-made modular board design of the board layout that can be placed into a design frame, thereby cutting down the time of development substantially. 96s1o
The retail giant's collaboration with Intel will allow partners to build new devices with Alexa using Intel-based smart speaker FFRD due in the first quarter of 2017. Amazon wants to expand its voice-based digital assistant's reach, and this partnership will enable third-party developers to bring out a variety of smart home products with Alexa on board.
Amazon AVS content marketing manager Ted Karczewski announced the collaboration in a blog post.
"Intel is working with Amazon to deliver smart speaker form factor reference designs (FFRD) with Alexa that make it easier for device manufacturers to build products with high-performance, far-field voice interaction."
Both Echo - and Alexa Voice Service has been open to third-party integration since last year. Further to than end, Amazon on Thursday also announced a new product called JAM Voice.
JAM Voice is a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled portable speaker that features touch-activated integration with the Alexa Voice Service (AVS). The AVS can essentially put Alexa inside a range of smart devices.
The first FFDR will offer accelerated development of Alexa voice-enables smart speakers on Intel's architecture. It will also Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth to allow full connectivity in the home.
Additionally, Amazon will also release a Software Development Kit (SDK) for the reference design that will let manufactures incorporate voice and video capabilities into their products, Karczewski wrote.