Synaptics AudioSmart Far-Field Voice Technology Featured on Harman/Kardon Allure Smart Speakers

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 09, 2018 -- Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA), the leading developer of human interface solutions, today announced its AudioSmart^® far-field voice DSPs have been selected by HARMAN International for the Harman/Kardon Allure (4-mic) and Allure Portable (2-mic) voice-activated smart speaker family. The Allure devices feature Amazon’s intelligent Alexa Voice Service (AVS) and utilize Synaptics’ highly-responsive AudioSmart solution to activate Alexa – even while playing premium 360-degree high-fidelity music and/or when users are several meters away from the device.

The Synaptics^® AudioSmart^® solution separates speech signals from background noises, such as sounds from a television, and processes only the human speech for exceptional recognition accuracy. AudioSmart delivers a best-in-class end-user experience for all major Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) services like Alexa. This voice barge-in technology is enabled by full duplex acoustic echo cancellation that detects the wake-word and allows the device to hear user requests even when music is playing. AudioSmart is also enhanced with Smart Source Locator^™ technology that identifies the direction of the incoming voice. Synaptics’ far-field voice DSPs are very low-power – essential to the battery-powered Allure Portable – enabling portable devices to stay on and “always listening” for user commands, even during music playback.

“The Allure is a testament to premium voice and audio technology with its unmatched microphone responsiveness coupled with legendary Harman/Kardon sound quality,” said Saleel Awsare, vice president and general manager, Audio and Imaging Business at Synaptics. “Voice as a human interface is rapidly expanding in consumer electronics and smart homes due to the broad global expansion of ASR services, and since AudioSmart is platform agnostic, Synaptics is well-poised to support HARMAN on future projects.”

Synaptics’ AudioSmart product portfolio was developed to revolutionize how electronics manufacturers design voice-enabled consumer and enterprise products, allowing them a cost effective and fast time-to-market advantage. Our extensive systems expertise enables system designers to bring new applications to market that boast exceptional voice interface performance and far-field capabilities, as well as excellent audio playback quality.

More Information:

• Synaptics AudioSmart Technology
• Harman Kardon Allure Smart Speakers

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About Synaptics:
Synaptics is the pioneer and leader of the human interface revolution, bringing innovative and intuitive user experiences to intelligent devices. Synaptics’ broad portfolio of touch, display, and biometrics products is built on the company’s rich R&D, extensive IP and dependable supply chain capabilities. With solutions designed for mobile, PC and automotive industries, Synaptics combines ease of use, functionality and aesthetics to enable products that help make our digital lives more productive, secure and enjoyable. (NASDAQ:SYNA) www.synaptics.com.

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AudioSmart, Synaptics, and the Synaptics logo are trademarks of Synaptics in the United States and/or other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information, please contact:
David Hurd
Synaptics
+1-408-904-2766
[email protected]