Meta has acquired voice AI startup Play AI to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities, particularly in audio content creation, wearables, and Meta AI projects. The Play AI team will join Meta next week, aligning with the company's roadmap for natural sound generation. Financial terms remain undisclosed.
Meta has acquired Play AI, a startup specializing in AI-generated natural human voices, as part of its broader strategy to enhance voice technology. The move aligns with Meta's investments in AI characters, wearable devices, and audio content creation. Financial details remain undisclosed, but the acquisition signals Meta's commitment to leading in speech synthesis and AI applications.
Google's AI assistant Gemini Live is set for a major upgrade, integrating deeply with Google Maps, Calendar, Keep, and third-party apps like Spotify. New features include camera-based input recognition and a card-style interface for real-time information. Privacy controls remain a priority as Google aims to make Gemini Live a unified AI control center.
The Step-Audio team has open-sourced Step-Audio-AQAA, an end-to-end speech model that generates natural speech directly from audio input. The model's three-module architecture enhances human-computer interaction by capturing complex speech nuances. This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in voice interaction technology.
Amazon's upgraded AI assistant, Alexa+, has surpassed one million users since its February 2025 launch. The service offers advanced generative AI capabilities, personalized experiences, and partnerships with platforms like OpenTable and Uber Eats. Prime members will receive free access, while others pay $19.99/month post-launch.
ElevenLabs has launched 11ai, a voice-first AI assistant featuring advanced voice interaction, multi-tool integration, and customizable MCP support. Designed for productivity, it offers seamless calendar management, real-time search, and team collaboration. With support for 70+ languages and emotional voice control, 11ai targets global markets in education, entertainment, and customer service.
Amazon's Alexa+, a generative AI-powered digital assistant, has exceeded 1 million beta users. The service promises more natural interactions, smart home integration, and advanced features. While currently free, it will later require a $19.99/month subscription for non-Prime members. Early feedback is mixed, but Amazon reports 90% of planned features are implemented.
Hume AI has unveiled EVI 3, its third-generation voice interaction model that excels in emotional recognition and personalized responses. The AI demonstrates superior speed and emotional intelligence compared to competitors like GPT-4, with applications ranging from customer service to content creation.
ElevenLabs has unveiled Conversational AI 2.0, a next-gen voice interaction platform featuring natural dialogue, multilingual support, and enterprise-grade capabilities. The upgrade enhances customer service, marketing, and content creation with seamless language switching and knowledge-driven responses.
