Qualcomm introduces reference model for smart audio headset with Alexa

Qualcomm introduces a Development Kit for a smart audio headset with integrated support for voice assistant Alexa. The reference model should lead to more bluetooth earphones with support for Amazon’s Alexa on the market.

The reference model that Qualcomm introduces uses its own bluetooth audio soc, the QCC5124. The earphones also support noise cancellation and Qualcomm’s own aptX-HD and TrueWireless Stereo Bluetooth audio codec. The product is said to support a long battery life, although no specific duration is mentioned. If users have the Alexa app on their paired Android phone, they can enable the voice assistant with a single button press on either earpiece.

The Alexa Mobile Accessory Kit protocol is supported by default, so manufacturers do not have to integrate their products separately with it and only have to provide Bluetooth support. The idea is that this saves them time and allows them to focus on the design, the software and any other functionality. This should lead to relatively fast product releases.