CES 2019: Sony noise-canceling headphones to get Amazon Alexa support

Its WH-1000XM3, WH-1000XM2 and WI-1000X headphones will add Alexa in the coming weeks.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews

Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.

Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials

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David Carnoy

Jan. 7, 2019 5:15 p.m. PT

sony-1000xm3-9 — Alexa is coming to Sony's noise-canceling headphones, including the WH-1000XM3.
David Carnoy/CNET

Sony didn't unveil any new headphones at CES , but it did announce a small but important headphone update: Amazon Alexa support is coming to its highly rated over-ear noise-canceling wireless headphones -- the WH-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM2 -- as well as the in-ear neckband-style WI-1000X, which also has noise-canceling technology.

Those models already support Google Assistant, but an upcoming software update will allow you to choose between Google or Amazon voice assistants. But you'll only be able to activate one assistant at a time.

To access either voice assistant you'll still have to tap a button. You can then use your voice to ask Alexa (or Google Assistant) to play music, change tracks, control smart home devices, search the internet for information and more. Of course, you'll have to have your headphones connected to your phone (or internet-connected tablet) to use voice controls.

Delivered via Sony's Headphones Connect app (version 4.1) and firmware update, Sony says we'll be able to access the Alexa update in the first quarter of 2019.