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What you missed at Engadget Live Los Angeles
Last Friday, we took over Exchange LA in Downtown Los Angeles for the second Engadget Live event of the year and what a night it was. Our friend Mark Setrakian (who joined us at Engadget Expand last November) came correct with his Axis Robots, that while some find creepy, we find pretty damn exciting.
With this rugged speaker, sound takes a backseat to accessories
It takes a lot to get me excited about a Bluetooth speaker these days. Although subpar sound quality plagued early devices, newer models offer both good looks and solid audio. Even so, most of the current offerings are same-y; unremarkable. Now, a company called Braven has found a way to evolve the Bluetooth speaker even further, with a large selection of rugged wireless speakers. The BRV-PRO was unveiled earlier this year at CES, and while it certainly looks the part of a weatherproof speaker, it's the optional accessories that make it most compelling -- everything from a solar charging panel to a mount for your action camera. As you can imagine, though, those extras add up quickly. I spent some time with the $150 speaker and the various extras to find out if Braven's latest is worth it.
Engadget Live takes over the Exchange in Los Angeles this Friday!
We're gearing up to take over Exchange LA this Friday, August 21st at 7PM for our next Engadget Live event, where we'll bring together gadget lovers and awesome tech brands. Sound good? First, grab your free tickets and then read on to find out what you can expect at our free event in downtown Los Angeles!
Braven's BRV-PRO modular speaker is a camper's delight
A Swiss Army knife and a Leatherman. Both of those items are capable of performing a number of tasks while remaining compact and easily packable. But what if the portable speaker that provides your campsite with tunes could do multiple things? Well, Braven's BRV-PRO can not only recharge your phone or tablet, but also its smattering of add-ons provide light, extend battery life, juice up the gadget with the sun's rays and more. The speaker is still fairly small despite its modular aspirations, so it won't take up much space in your backpack. If you splurge for the full collection of accessories though, the entire setup demands a slightly larger pocket, but they're all flat and should stow easily.
CES 2015: Braven announces Fuse audio mixer, luxury speakers line, Bridge
One company is really making a splash at CES this year, and that company is Braven. Yesterday we gave you the news about three new speaker lines from the accessories manufacturer. Today, the press release flood continued with news of the US$99.99 Fuse audio mixer, the 1100 ($249.99), 2200b ($299.99), and 2300b ($349.99) luxury speakers, and the $299.99 Braven Bridge "executive conference call companion". First up is the Fuse audio mixer, described as a portable Bluetooth audio mixer. Seen in the image at the top of this post, the device has multiple Bluetooth connections so that it can link to two audio sources and two speakers. On the little box (less than 5 inches long) are a plethora of onboard controls, including volume and low/mid/high tuners for each audio source, a source level equalizer, a headphone out switch to listen to different audio sources, and a cross fader. Running off an internal 1200 mAh rechargable battery, the Fuse Audio Mixer can operate for over 12 hours on a single charge. It will be available in the second quarter of 2015. Next, the company expanded its design series speaker collection adding three premium Bluetooth speakers. The Braven 1100 supports aptX encoded audio and uses TrueWireless to pair with a second Braven speaker for true stereo sound. It will be available in the second quarter of 2015 as well in black, dark gray, light gray, red, orange and blue colors. The Braven 2200b and 2300b are designed to deliver "room-filling ultra-premium HD sound in an awe-inspiring package." All hyperbole aside, both speakers feature left and right channel stereo, interchangable grill options, and the ability to receive over-the-air firmware updates. Those grills will be available in black, dark gray, red, orange and blue, and the speakers should ship in the second quarter of 2015. Finally, Braven is building on its reputation for making speakers with excellent speakerphone capabilities with the Braven Bridge. It's a stylish accessory designed for executives who want to make loud and clear conference calls while on the road, and like the rest of these accessories it should be available in the second quarter. The Braven Bridge features dual omnidirectional microphones built into a aluminum body with leather accents. As expected with a product like this, there are 360-degree HD microphones and noise cancelling technology built in. The battery inside has a capacity of 2800 mAh and can be used to charge mobile devices.
CES 2015: Braven rolls out new 805, Balance, and BRV-PRO Bluetooth Speakers
And now, let's take a break from the connected devices news from CES 2015 with an announcement of three new Bluetooth speakers from Braven. The company, which is known for some pretty decent Bluetooth speakers, announced three models - the 805, Balance, and BRV-PRO. The Braven 805 (image at top of post) will remind many readers of many eariler Braven speakers designed for use in the home. It comes in a variety of colors - orange, teal, magenta, red, green, yellow, white, gray and black. Priced at US$199.99 and expected to ship this month, the Braven 805 can be paired with a second 805, 850, 855s, 1100, or BRV-HD speaker for true left-right channel stereo sound. The 805 also provides speakerphone capability with an integrated noise-canceling microphone, and packs a 4400 mAh battery for charging your other portable devices. Next on the list is the Braven Balance, an indoor/outdoor speaker with a thin profile, anti-slip exterior, and IPX5 waterproof rating. Priced at $149.99, Braven expects to ship the Balance in the second quarter of 2015. Like the Braven 805, the Balance has a 4400 mAh internal battery for powering other devices, and can be used as a speakerphone. Expect the Balance to be colorful, as it will ship in Raven, Alpine, Raspberry, Electric, Sunset and Periwinkle. Finally, outdoor enthusiasts are going to lve the BRV-PRO, a $149.99 ruggedized modular speaker that will come with a range of accessories. The accessories include a 2800 mAh extended battery pack to give the built-in 2200 mAh battery some help, an LED Glow Deck that turns the BRV-PRO into a mini-lantern for camping, a Folding Solar Panel for sun-powered charging, a GoPro compatible camera mount, a Qi Wireless charging pad, and a Stack Plate Multiplier for stacking multiple BRV-PRO speakers. The accessories will be priced anywhere from $29.99 to $49.99 each. Expect to see some reviews of some of the new Braven speakers on TUAW in the future.
Braven's BRV-PRO rugged speaker packs solar charging and more
Think the load of Bluetooth speakers announced at CES is rather ho-hum? Well, Braven has something to say about that. The company's new BRV-PRO Bluetooth speaker sports the rugged look we've come to expect from them, and claims 20 hours of battery life on a charge. Those are easily the two least interesting things on the spec sheet for the outdoor audio device. Up top, the BRV-PRO swaps out accessories as needed, including an extra 2,800mAh battery pack, LED glow deck (think of it as a lantern of sorts), stacking plate and a folding solar panel (pictured above) for all-natural recharging. Touting an IPX7 waterproof rating, the aircraft-aluminum-clad gadget will also juice up your phone or tablet when you're out on the trail. Looking to pack one for that next outdoor trek? The BRV-PRO is scheduled to arrive in Q2 for $150; the accessories cost extra, ranging from $30 to $50 each.
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BRAVEN 710: Water-resistant, wireless pairing through TrueWireless and more
I'm not usually one to get too excited about Bluetooth speakers; there are a lot of 'em out there, and by and large a lot of them are somewhat cookie-cutter duplicates of each other. But BRAVEN has always piqued my interest with its speaker line, simply because the aluminum cases look great and the sound of the speakers is impressive. Today, the company is unveiling the BRAVEN 710 (US$169.99) with some compelling new features. To begin with, the 710 receives an IPX5 water-resistance rating, so there's no need to worry about splashing this speaker with water from the hot tub. Battery life is an impressive 12-plus hours, and that battery can also be used to charge other devices. But the big difference is the integration of TrueWireless technology that allows wireless pairing with another BRAVEN 710 to create a right and left speaker set. The company uses custom HD audio drivers with aptX audio support, and the device is equipped with NFC for easy linking if your mobile device swings that way... The BRAVEN 710 comes in silver, graphite and blue, and can also be used as a speakerphone with your Bluetooth-linked iPhone. TUAW should have a BRAVEN 710 for testing soon, so keep an eye out for our review.
Braven launches 855s, a $300 rugged competitor to the Big Jambox
Watch out, Jawbone; looks like Braven's continuing its assault against the Big Jambox by releasing another comparable Bluetooth speaker... but this time, it can get wet and take some bruises. Similar to its predecessor, the 850, model 855s is a 20W speaker encased in aluminum and can charge smartphones, tablets and cameras. It even has the same dimensions (10 x 4 inches) and can play tunes for up to 20 hours, or so the company claims. The new speaker costs $300, just like the 850, so choosing between the two depends on whether you want a rugged version or not. As a nice touch, you can pair the 855s with its predecessor for true stereo sound; just be sure to remember which one doesn't like water if you go that route.
TUAW TV Live: The accessory and app episode
Howdy, everybody! Another Wednesday, another TUAW TV Live. As noted in the promo post earlier today, the show today is aimed at some very interesting new accessories that are sure to get you excited. The TUAW TV studio has undergone a pre-spring cleaning and is looking rather spiffy now, although viewers might be at a loss to see what's changed. Below, you'll find a Ustream livestream viewer and a chat tool. The chat tool allows you to participate by asking questions or making comments. IRC fans can point their favorite client to IRC server chat1.ustream.tv, chat room #tuaw-tv. You'll be watching the show in glorious HD! If you're driving somewhere and would like to watch TUAW TV Live while you're stuck in traffic, please don't -- keep your eyes on the road! However, if someone else is doing the driving, you can watch the show on your iPhone and join the chat by downloading the free Ustream App. It's a universal app and is wonderful on an iPad, both for viewing and participating in the chat. In addition, the live stream and chat will be available through our Facebook page. Just point your browser here to watch the show and chat with other viewers while you're on Facebook. We'll start at about 5 PM ET, so if you're seeing a prerecorded show, be sure to refresh your browser until you see the live stream. For those of you who are not able to join us for the live edition, you'll be able to view it later this evening on our TUAW Video YouTube channel and as part of the TUAW TV Live podcast viewable in iTunes or on any of your Apple devices.
Braven's latest portable Bluetooth speakers: 850 charges your iPad, BRV-1 laughs at H2O (eyes-on)
It's no secret that we generally enjoy Braven's pushes into the portable Bluetooth speaker arena. The company is again aiming to take your dollars away from the likes of the Jawbone Jamboxes, offering up two new units for CES. The 850 is its largest speaker yet, being roughly the same size as Big Jambox -- and priced much the same at $300. As you'd expect, the 850 is clad in aluminum, and has a USB port for charging external devices. That's not all, however, as Braven claims this is the world's first battery-powered speaker that'll charge 2.1A gizmos (like the iPad) on its own accord (no word on expected battery life). Even more impressive -- and expensive -- we're told that two units can be run in true stereo with either serving as the left and right channels. No pictures for now, but we'll update this post as soon as we get them. Aside from the 850, the $170 BRV-1 (dummy units pictured) ditches the company's smooth rectangular speaker angles, in favor of ruggedness and IPX5 water-resistance. The not-so pocketable speaker is clad in rubber, featuring two large buttons on both edges for playback controls. The speaker grill on the front get's Braven's usual treatment with aluminium, while the back houses twist-cap protected microUSB port, USB port, battery indicator and a 3.5mm input jack. Both speakers are set to sit along its Six Series units sometime this month, and you'll find more pictures of two BRV-1 mockups in the gallery below.
Braven's budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker to debut on QVC for $100
With its sleek styling and double act as a portable USB charger, there's plenty to like about Braven's line of Bluetooth speakers. Indeed, we listed the 625 in our back to school guide earlier this year as an alternative to the pricier Jambox. But if you were hoping to snag something even cheaper, you might want to check out the Braven 570, which is set to debut this Sunday on QVC for $100. Similar in looks with its Six Series brethren, the tiny music machine has six watts of power and a slightly lower capacity 1,200mAh battery -- the previous models were 1,700mAh and up -- all wrapped in an "impact-resistant" material. QVC will be offering the Braven 570 in Lunar Black, Arctic White, Fiji Green, Rio Purple, Monaco Blue and Sahara Red. But if you'd rather subject yourself to mall crowds or prefer the Zen-like experience of online shopping, you can get the retail version in black or white this coming January for $130 each. If you decide to go the QVC route, just don't get suckered in by overpriced celebrity steak knives, okay?
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: portable audio
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're taking our audio with us -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! With all of the studying and on-campus traveling you're about to delve into, sometimes adding a bit of music to your step can spice up those mundane times in your daily routine. That's why we've rounded up a selection of portable speakers and headphones that'll not only help you rock out whenever the mood strikes, but also go a step further by letting you take phone calls without skipping a beat. It may not be audiophile-grade gear in the official sense, but it won't matter when you're enjoying good sound just about anywhere your smartphone-connected life takes you.
Braven Six Series Bluetooth speakers now shipping, three choices for on-the-go audio, USB charging
Jawbone's Jamboxes may be the first gizmos that jump to mind if you're searching for wireless, on-the-go speakers, but they're not the only options out there. An outfit by the name of Braven has been teasing its own Bluetooth-enabled Six Series stereo noiseyboxes since April, and now it's officially ready to ship them off. Aside from pumping out wire-free audio, each unit can be used as a portable USB charger for your various gadgets. You'll have a choice between the aluminum-encased 600 ($150) and 650 ($190) models, while the 625 ($180) variant features a ruggedized, shock-absorbing enclosure and a water-proof bag for the more adventurous of you out there. You'll get anywhere from 12-20 hours of charging depending on the model, but each features the same internal setup for sound: two three-watt speakers paired with a dual passive bass radiator. You'll find more details on the specs of each model and your color options in the press release after the break.
Braven Six Series hands-on
Remember those Braven speakers from a few weeks back? Well, guess what, the trio made an appearance here at CTIA and we finally got to put our shaky, caffeine-fueled hands on them. The Six Series of Bluetooth boxes is (going from left to right in the image above) the 600, the 650 and the 625s. Both the 600 and 650 are crafted from the same aircraft-grade aluminum and are all but indistinguishable at a glance. The lone physical differentiator is the numerical labeling in the bottom right corner. Both have a pleasant heft and a matte finish that makes them feel like decidedly high-end products. And, at $150 and $190 respectively, they're priced that way too. The 3W speakers and dual passive subwoofers were perfectly pleasant sounding and got surprisingly loud -- drowning out the crowded showroom floor with relative ease. The only issue, predictively, was that the low end started to distort as the volume was cranked -- particularly on the 600. We were even able to daisy chain them through a mini stereo cable (though not turn them into a stereo pair via Bluetooth), clearly irritating Braven's booth neighbors. The 625s is a slightly different beast. It also features an aluminum speaker grille, but the rest of the casing is wrapped in shock-absorbing rubber. It felt quite a bit lighter, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, since the company appears to think you should use this as a flashlight (hence the LED attachment). The unit even has a drybag should you decide to take it with you kayaking. We were even able to jack our iPhone in to the USB port for a bit of juice before heading back out on the floor. For more check out the gallery below. Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.
Braven Six Series speakers offer Bluetooth audio, wired charging
When is a wireless speaker not a wireless speaker? When you can also plug your phone into the speaker to charge it up in a pinch. That's the hook with Braven's new Six Series speakers, anyway, which come in three different varieties that each pack a USB port that lets you either charge your smartphone or daisy chain multiple speakers together. Ranging in price from $150 to $190, the three different models all also boast similar features across the board, but differ in construction, with the top-end 625s offering a rugged housing (not to mention a built-in LED flashlight), while the 600 and 650 each sport an all-aluminum design -- battery life also varies a bit by model. If the speakers look a little familiar, it's because Braven is the company formerly known as Spar, which offered some similar speakers under the Zephyr name. Hit the source link below for a closer look at each model.
Daily Update for April 16, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
BRAVEN SIX portable Bluetooth speakers sound great, charge your iOS device
There are a lot of portable Bluetooth speakers on the market that can work with your iOS devices, but not many that deliver high-end sound and can also charge your favorite Apple product. Utah-based BRAVEN has announced the SIX line of Bluetooth speakers that offer a lot of power -- both the electrical and sonic kinds. The BRAVEN 600, 625e, and 650 all provide classic looks, great sound, and that charging capability. The BRAVEN 600 (US$149.99, see image at top) is crafted out of aircraft-grade aluminum, comes in Ash Grey and Moab Red, and can play up to 14 hours on a charge. The 625e ($179.99) is perfect for outdoor use, packaged with a waterproof bag and equipped with a USB flashlight, and able to power your iPhone or iPod touch for up to 16 hours. The 650 ($189.99) is the top of the line, equipped with aptX and AAC audio encoding for flawless sound, and can provide up to 20 hours of extra play time for your iPhone or iPod touch. If you have multiple BRAVEN speakers, it's easy to daisy-chain them for extra sound power. The image below shows four of the BRAVEN speakers tied together to create a mini sonic wall. All of the speakers will be available in June, 2012 and as of today they'll be on pre-order.
