# March Update: Making waves

DevFeed: [March Update: Making waves](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/march-update-making-waves-34881.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://pine64.org/2024/03/17/march-update-making-waves/>)

Published: 2024-03-17T00:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Community blog on PINE64](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/community-blog-on-pine64.md>)

Topics: [smart speaker](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/smart-speaker.md>), [Home Assistant](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/home-assistant.md>), [Hardware](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/hardware.md>), [Embedded Software Dev](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/embedded-software-dev.md>)

Tags: [cluster](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cluster.md>), [firmware](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/firmware.md>), [fosdem](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/fosdem.md>), [hardware](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/hardware.md>), [headphones](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/headphones.md>), [home-assistant](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/home-assistant.md>), [ironos](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ironos.md>), [pinecil](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pinecil.md>), [pinetime](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pinetime.md>), [pinevox](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pinevox.md>), [smart-speaker](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/smart-speaker.md>), [update](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/update.md>)

## AI overview

Pine64's March update describes two products in development: the PineVox, a BL606P-based smart speaker intended for Home Assistant voice interactions, and unnamed bone-conduction headphones using the BES2300 chipset. The PineVox is undergoing firmware development, while the headphones' enclosure and software are not yet final.

## Source excerpt

Banner artwork: Caffeine New products in development Authors: Ralim, gamiee As probably one of the most anticipated sections of the blog, we can confirm that there are more new products in the pipeline. The first two were shown at the FOSDEM table in Feburary. PineVox - Virtual assistant The PineVox is a BL606P based home assistant smart speaker. Designed to help build a good community option for voice interactions with software such as Home Assistant. Currently a small number of developer seed units have been given out. Work is ongoing by Ralim & Gamiee to get a minimal firmware image ready to allow for demonstration and to prove all hardware fully functional etc. More information on the unit should be available soon on our new documentation page. Features of note include the hardware microphone kill switch, and the ability to debug the unit externally. The hardware microphone killswitch allows the software to mute the microphone but unmuting has to be performed using the button on the device. Muting the microphone disables the clock connection to the microphone, giving peace of mind that it really, really isnt listening to you. Giving users control of the smart devices in their home and allowing for you to control the security is important, and we are working on the PineVox to help enable that future. Another notable aspect worth mentioning is the speaker. Designed specifically for voice applications rather than music playback, it ensures clear and high-quality voice audio reception. Bone conduction headphones These are a set of bone conduction headphones using the same BES2300 chipset as found in the PineBuds Pro. The plan is to expand OpenPineBuds project with support for these before they enter manufacturing. Currently there is amazing work going on to sort out licencing of the BES2300 codebase; so work to support these is being done carefully to minimise impact on the code base. The enclosure design is not final yet, nor is the software complete. However in th