Harman Kardon Archives

Microsoft pulls plug on consumer Cortana: Invoke and app shutdown roadmap

Eric Abent | Jul 31, 2020

As Microsoft continues to narrow Cortana's scope and turn it into an AI assistant that's primarily used in Microsoft 365, the company has made the decision to drop pretty much all of Cortana's consumer integrations. Today, Microsoft outlined a roadmap for Cortana's end of support, and it begins in September with the company pulling the plug on all third-party Cortana skills. Not long after, we'll see the Cortana app vanish and its integration with the Harman Kardon Invoke speaker end as well.

Android Fast Pair adds 3 new features – and you don’t need Pixel Buds to get them

Chris Davies | Apr 27, 2020

Google's all-new Pixel Buds may be introducing the latest updates to Android Fast Pair, but the new Bluetooth features won't be limited to the company's fully wireless headphones alone. Announced alongside the release of the new Pixel Buds today, Fast Pair's upgrades help close the gap between Android's Bluetooth management and what Apple does with its AirPods - and without the special Bluetooth chip, either.

Harman Kardon FLY headphone series is made for ‘savvy’ commuters

Brittany A. Roston | Jan 7, 2020

Among the other audio products it launched at CES 2020 is Harman Kardon's new FLY product line, the company's first headphone series launched since 2014. At this point in time, the FLY series features a total of three models: the FLY TWS true wireless headphones, the FLY BT Bluetooth model, and the FLY ANC, a model that features active noise cancellation.

Cortana doesn’t need smart speakers to win insists Microsoft exec

Chris Davies | Jan 17, 2019

Microsoft isn't letting underwhelming interest in Cortana smart speakers sour it on the assistant technology, even if Amazon Echo and Google Home still get the lion's share of sales - and attention - in the connected home. The software giant still resists calls to develop its own smart speaker, instead relying on third-party hardware like the Harman Kardon Invoke to fill that niche.

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 wireless speaker packs Dual Sound support

Brittany A. Roston | Aug 30, 2018

Harman Kardon has expanded its Onyx Studio series with the newly unveiled Onyx Studio 5. This new speaker has a classy circular design with a built-in handle for portability, as well as the maker's Dual Sound, which enables two speakers to be paired together for a more immersive experience. The new model is being exclusively sold by Brightstar and Sprint.

Harman Kardon Citation 500 smart speaker runs Google Assistant [UPDATE]

JC Torres | Aug 27, 2018

Now owned by Samsung, you might expect Harman Kardon to be pushing Samsung’s Bixby into its nascent smart speaker line. The irony of the situation is that, aside from Siri, Harman Kardon now has speakers supporting each of the major smart assistants except Bixby. The latest to join that small group is the Citation 500 that set itself apart from the brood by not only using Google Assistant but also having a surprisingly high price tag.

Samsung’s new Dolby Atmos soundbars tap Harman Kardon tuning

Chris Davies | Aug 15, 2018

Samsung and Harman Kardon have a pair of new soundbars, packaging Dolby Atmos and DTS:X into a simple home theater upgrade. The HW-N950 and HW-N850 are the first co-branded speakers to be released since Samsung acquired Harman back in March 2017.

Harman Kardon Invoke Review: Cortana finds her voice

Chris Davies | Oct 20, 2017

Move aside, Alexa; back off, Google Assistant. Microsoft's Cortana is here, and she wants to be the de-facto virtual assistant for busy people in their busy homes. Breaking free of the smartphone and desktop for the first time, Cortana's newest form is the Harman Kardon Invoke, a new entrant to the burgeoning smart speaker market that promises audio quality to rival true music systems along with everything from both your home and your work lives.

Harman Kardon Allure speaker brings Alexa along for the ride

Eric Abent | Aug 31, 2017

There's been no shortage of Bluetooth speakers on display at IFA 2017, but this next one from Harman Kardon is certainly special for one reason: Alexa integration. Harman Kardon revealed today that its new Allure speaker will feature Alexa on board, making it a prime candidate for inclusion in the smart home enthusiast's IoT collection.

Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite arrives in 10, 8 inch sizes

JC Torres | Jun 5, 2017

While many Android manufacturers seem to have lost interest in tablets, the device category still has a few supporters, like Samsung, ASUS, and now Huawei. The Chinese OEM has just unveiled its new MediaPad M3 Lite, in 10-inch and 8-inch models, that brings the latest and greatest of Android to the masses. And like its non-Lite namesake from last year, the Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite summons the power of Harman Kardon to give it some added credibility.

Harman Kardon Invoke speaker with Cortana officially arrives to take on Echo

Brittany A. Roston | May 8, 2017

The Harman Kardon speaker with Cortana has been officially announced, adding yet another smart speaker to the growing market. Unlike most of these smart speakers, which run Amazon's Alexa, the Invoke speaker utilizes Microsoft's own personal digital assistant to support voice commands and more. The speaker itself provides 360-degree audio and a cylindrical tower shape not entirely unlike the Amazon Echo's design. Two different colors will be offered, both featuring what Harman describes as a 'sleek, modern design."

Invoke, Harman Kardon’s Cortana-powered speaker, revealed

JC Torres | May 8, 2017

It seems that Microsoft is really putting the heat on Google, among other competitors. Just days after it unveiled its Windows 10 S answer to Chrome OS and the first batch of Chromebook rivals, the company is partially unveiling its take on the smart home speaker niche market. For this round, it has partnered with the famed Harman Kardon to create Invoke, your premium, and most likely expensive, Cortana in a can.