The stock of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) closed at $78.81 gaining 1.16% at the end of last week. After a series of discussions by the company’s board members, it has finally resolved to get into the fast-growing voice-enabled speaker market. It reached the decision three years after Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) unveiled the pioneering Echo.
Samsung Electronics has been a partner to Microsoft over quite a long period of time and its Harman Kardon unit is a major technological advancement. Its invoke speaker is set to take commands using Microsoft’s Cortana digital assistant. The speakers allow the user to set timers and alarms, list appointments, play music, turn on lights as well as deliver news.
Using Google assistant has significantly helped Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) to expand its lineup of Google Home speakers.
On the other hand, Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) is working on its HomePod speaker and if everything moves according to plan it might be unveiled in December. Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) has been spreading the Alexa’s voice around on Sonos and on the latest Echo products as well. The speakers are admired because of the excellent sound quality that they emit.
It will be quite a challenge for Microsoft and Harman Kardon to convince consumers to try out the Invoke speaker. But that should not be mistaken to mean that Invoke is an inferior product. One of the best parts about Invoke is the fact that it leverages on Microsoft’s Skype to permit hands-free voice calls to landlines, mobile phones, or the Skype capable devices and it is possible to go thought the process without encountering a hitch.
Invoke carries out its functions as a Bluetooth speaker and it is possible to pair it by voice. Most of the users are happy with the idea that they are able to request the songs of their choice with a lot of ease.
One of the officials working with the company opined, “You can change the volume with your voice or twist a volume control ring. The 9.5-inch tall speaker boasts 360-degree audio, with three woofers, three tweeters, and two passive radiators.”
