Smart Speakers

Objective

• Perform a landscape search in the area of Smart Speakers
• Use PCS to derive insights and gain competitive perspective
• Understand the value chain and recent M&A activities

Introduction

A smart speaker is a type of wireless speaker and smart device that utilizes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other standards to extend usage beyond audio playback. This can include, but not be limited to, features such as compatibility across a number of services and platforms, peer-to-peer connection through mesh networking, intelligent personal assistants, and others. Each can have its own designated interface and features in-house, usually launched or controlled via application or home automation software.

Search in PCS

A search on PCS for Smart speaker was performed with the following search strategy:

(tac:speaker AND tac:home automation ) OR (tac:music system and tac:user-interaction ) OR (tac:speaker AND tac:user interaction and text:home ) OR (tac:speaker AND tac:voice command and text:smart-home ) OR (tac:speaker and tac:automation and text:music ) OR ((tac:bluetooth speaker OR tac:wireless speaker OR tac:NFC connected speaker OR tac:wifi speaker OR tac:wifi connected speaker ) and text:smart home ) OR (tac:smart speaker OR tac:intelligent speaker OR tac:networked speaker OR tac:talking speaker or tac:interactive speaker ) OR (tac:user interactive music system ) OR (tac:speaker and text:on demand music ) OR (tac:speaker and tac:user tracking and text:home ) OR (tac:speaker and tac:intelligent user-interface ) OR (tac:music and text:intelligent user-interface ) OR (tac:speaker and tac:user-interaction ) OR (text:voice controlled speaker ) OR (text:voice controlled music system) OR (text:speech controlled speaker) OR (text:speech controlled music system)

Top Assignee

• All Top Players have Smart speakers products in market.

• Microsoft - The Invoke
• Google - Google Home
• Apple - Homepod

Top Assignee Insights

A) MIcrosoft technology Licensing

• Microsoft has patents related to smart speakers as shown below

B) Alphabet Inc.

• Alphabet has patents related to smart speakers as shown below

B) Apple Inc.

• Apple has patents related to smart speakers as shown below

Bibliographic Analytics

Main CPC’s:

• G06F - Physics---> Computing;calsulating;counting ---> Electrical digital data processing

IP Activity:

Geographical Distribution

Technical Insights: CPC Distribution in Top Assignees:

CPC Distribution:

Technical Insights: Concepts vs Top Assignees

Technology Concepts:

Value Chain Analysis

Latest M&A Activity in the Space

Implementation of virtual personal assistants are expected to positively impact the smart speaker market growth. This technology can stream music and audio books with single voice commands. The launch of Amazon Echo has caused disruption in the market, with several other companies such as Google and Apple following suit.
Multiple companies are acquiring startups. Here's the quick snapshot of the M&A activity in this space