智能音箱市场爆发：阿里加速布局智能家居生态
封面新闻记者 崔江 | Cover News Reporter Cui Jiang
3月22日，阿里巴巴旗下的阿里人工智能实验室透露，其人工智能音箱天猫精灵X1上市半年多的时间，销量已经突破200万台。
On March 22, Alibaba's AI Lab revealed that its smart speaker Tmall Genie X1 has sold over 2 million units within half a year of launch.
当天，该实验室还更新了其智能音箱的产品，发布了带屏幕的天猫精灵火眼、曲奇版，以及为了丰富智能音箱的使用场景和内容，天猫精灵发布了投屏电视，并和12家出版社、117套儿童读物、绘本进行合作。
The lab also launched upgraded products including screen-equipped Tmall Genie Huoyan and Cookie editions. To expand usage scenarios, it introduced screen projection TVs and partnered with 12 publishers covering 117 children's books.
智能音箱市场竞争白热化 | Fierce Competition in Smart Speaker Market
就在前一天，猎豹移动也发布了人工智能音箱。同样是在3月，百度还将联合小鱼在家发布带屏幕的儿童陪伴音响。
Just one day earlier, Cheetah Mobile launched its AI speaker. In the same month, Baidu partnered with Xiaoyu Zaijia to release a screen-equipped children's companion speaker.
"2018年将是普及智能音箱的关键性一年。"Canalys此前发布的报告显示，2018年智能音箱全球出货量预计将达到5630万台。
"2018 will be a pivotal year for smart speaker adoption," Canalys reported, projecting global shipments to reach 56.3 million units in 2018.
阿里的低价策略与生态布局 | Alibaba's Low-Price Strategy and Ecosystem Development
凭借阿里充足的资金，2017年双11开始前阿里就进行了天猫精灵X1降价预售，从原价499降到了99元，很快天猫精灵X1总销量就突破100万台。
Backed by strong capital, Alibaba slashed Tmall Genie X1's price from 499 yuan to 99 yuan during 2017's Double 11 presales, quickly surpassing 1 million units sold.
易观报告显示，相较于市场中其他智能音箱厂商，阿里在生态上较为完善，但在硬件及智能家居领域中的布局有限。
Analysys reports show Alibaba has a more complete ecosystem than competitors but limited presence in hardware and smart home sectors.
智能家居的入口之争 | The Battle for Smart Home Gateways
GFK的报告显示，中国智能家居市场潜力巨大，但目前主要呈分散独立状态，需接入统一入口控制。
GFK reports indicate China's smart home market has huge potential but remains fragmented, needing unified control gateways.
音箱具备天然语音属性，相对与手机、电视、平板等产品，实时语音唤醒，成本低，体积小，方便移动，功率低，更容易成为智能家居的出口。
Speakers' natural voice interface, low cost, compact size and mobility make them ideal smart home gateways compared to phones, TVs or tablets.
市场挑战与机遇并存 | Challenges and Opportunities Coexist
GFK发布的报告显示，目前智能音响还存在一些障碍，比如智能家居普及率低，中西方生活方式不同，商品同质化严重，产品功能同质化明显等。
GFK notes current challenges including low smart home penetration, lifestyle differences between East/West, and severe product homogenization.
