iHome Transforms Bedside Audio with Amazon Alexa Integration

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- iHome, a leader in award-winning speakers, portable devices and smart home solutions, today announced that it is working with Amazon to introduce its first bedside speaker with hands-free Alexa capabilities. On display at iHome's booth at CES 2017, the iAVS16 bedside clock speaker system featuring voice-activated Alexa, Bluetooth for music streaming and hands-free calling, and USB charging is scheduled to hit retailer shelves in Q4 of 2017. This announcement further expands iHome's relationship with Amazon and builds upon the iHome and Amazon Alexa integration for smart home solutions, announced earlier this summer.

"We are excited that iHome has chosen to integrate Alexa their products," said Aaron Brown, Director, Alexa Voice. "iHome has always been known for its innovative products, and iAVS16 will make it even easier for people to interact with their device and access new services through Alexa."

iHome's engineers spent considerable time developing the iAVS16 to offer excellent voice performance. Featuring two microphones and advanced acoustic echo cancellation and noise reduction technologies, iHome's iAVS16 offers a hands-free Alexa experience. Through Amazon Alexa, users can play music and audio books and get weather, news, traffic and more. It supports many popular streaming music services, such as Spotify, iHeartRadio and Amazon Music, and includes programmable presets for one-touch playback of any Spotify playlist. Additionally, by adding the iHome Control skill to Alexa's skillset, the iAVS16 offers seamless voice control of iHome's SmartPlug products. iAVS16 is among the first Alexa devices to utilize the traditional clock radio form factor, and feature an LCD clock display, physical snooze and music preset buttons.

"Since its humble beginnings, iHome has always strived to maintain its leading position as an innovator in the consumer electronics space, which is why we've worked closely with Amazon to bolster the end user benefits of products like our SmartPlugs," said Gary Schultz, Director of Product and Business Development at iHome. "Expanding our relationship with Amazon and Alexa Voice Service (AVS) has put us in a unique position to expand our bedside audio solutions featuring hands-free Alexa voice integration and access to the thousands of beneficial skills offered by AVS, including the ability to control iHome Smart Plugs.

In true iHome fashion, the iAVS16 offers a long list of extras, including:

• Wireless Bluetooth music streaming
• Speakerphone with digital echo cancelling and talk/end button
• Innovative LED lighting with unique patterns for Alexa requests
• 2.1 Amp USB port to charge mobile devices (cable not included)
• SureAlarm maintains alarm settings even when Wi-Fi network is down
• Time sync via NTP provides clock accuracy over data networks
• 10 watts total output
• Works with iHome Smart Plugs.   Just ask Alexa to turn on the lights or other connected appliances.

For more information about iHome and its products, please visit www.ihomeaudio.com.

About iHome

iHome was formed in 2005 as a division of SDI Technologies, founded in 1956. Today, iHome is the #1 selling brand in digital player speakers, including its acclaimed lines of Weather Tough and Color Changing speakers.

In 2016, iHome introduced its much-praised Zenergy line of sleep therapy speakers and popular Vanity Mirror with music and speakerphone capabilities, as it continues to bring its innovations to every room in the home.

iHome is also pioneering a new era of connected consumer electronics with the release of its iHome Control line of smart home products including SmartPlugs and SmartMonitor. The line is compatible with Apple HomeKit and can be voice controlled through both Siri and Amazon Alexa. Through partnerships with Nest, Wink, Amazon Echo and Apple, iHome's line of smart home products offer the broadest compatibility in the market.

iHome's products can be found worldwide through virtually every distribution network in over 40 countries. For more information on iHome and its products, visit ihomeaudio.com, Facebook (facebook.com/iHome), or follow @iHome on Twitter.

SOURCE iHome

Related Links

http://www.ihomeaudio.com